The People Who Make The Difference

Alan G. Hill

Of Counsel


Alan Hill is of counsel to the firm. He has been practicing law in Colorado since 1981, with a focus on water matters since 1986. Alan has obtained positive results for his clients, including municipalities and special districts as well as agricultural users and developers.

Alan’s practice emphasizes water rights litigation, development and protection, including acquisition and sale of water rights. His extensive experience has included obtaining water court decrees in Colorado’s special water courts for appropriative rights of substitution and exchange and approval of plans for augmentation, direct flow and storage rights, substitute water supply plans, and tributary and nontributary groundwater rights.

These water court cases typically involve multiple parties (ten or more), and complex engineering and hydrogeology issues. While many of these cases are resolved through negotiation with the parties, he has also obtained successful results through litigation. He has substantial experience in the water courts of Colorado, including numerous trials, and appeals to the Colorado Supreme Court.

Alan has negotiated agreements for the multi-million-dollar purchase and sale of water rights, for water service and for joint use of water. He has researched and provided title opinions for complex water rights transactions involving water rights, including the sale of water rights, and water rights being used as collateral. These opinions were relied upon by banks, municipalities, special districts, and individuals.

Areas of Practice:

  • Water Law
  • Natural Resources Law

Bar Admissions:

  • Colorado, 1981
  • United States District Court, District of Colorado, 1981
  • United States Court of Appeals, 10th Circuit, 1982

Education:

  • University of Colorado Law School, Boulder, Colorado, 1981
    – J.D., Doctor of Jurisprudence
  • Fort Lewis College, Durango, Colorado, 1978
    – B.A., Bachelor of Arts, Political Science
    – Magna cum laude

Representative Clients:

  • City of Louisville, Colorado
  • Classic Homes
  • Dietzler Ranch and Cattle
  • Flying Horse Development
  • Four Mile Fire Protection District
  • Monte Vista Dairy
  • Nutrient Farm
  • Park Center Water District
  • Perry Park Water and Sanitation District
  • Rainbow Falls Mountain Trout
  • Spring Ranch Property Owners Association

Classes & Seminars Taught:

  • Presenter, Water Rights in Colorado, “Prior Appropriation Water Law Made Simple” (Nov. 2022)
  • Presenter, Water Rights in Colorado, “Prior Appropriation Water Law Made Simple” (July 2019)
  • Presenter, Water Rights in Colorado, “Water Law Fundamentals” (May 2018)
  • Moderator, What Colorado Water Court Judges and Referees Want You to Know (Nov. 2016)
  • Presenter, Water Laws and Regulations, “Development of Water Laws,” “Understanding Colorado Surface Water Rights,” and “Understanding Colorado Groundwater Rights” (Feb. 2016)
  • Presenter, Water Rights in Colorado, “The Prior Appropriation System” (May 2015)
  • Presenter, Water Rights in Colorado, “The Prior Appropriation System” and “Adjudicating Water Rights in Colorado” (July 2013)

Professional Associations & Memberships:

  • Denver Bar Association
  • Colorado Bar Association, Water and Environmental Law Sections

Rating and Volunteer Work:

Alan has earned the preeminent “AV” rating – the honor of being recognized by his peers for legal excellence. This rating reflects the highest level of legal skills and ethical responsibility that a lawyer can achieve.

Alan served two terms as a member of the Fort Lewis College Board of Trustees and served as President of the Board of Directors of Stargate School, a Denver area charter school.