Commissioner Cavallos addresses well drilling concerns in Northern Colorado water rights debate

Larimer County officials are addressing concerns over water rights and well drilling in a recent land use meeting held on July 28, 2025. The discussion centered around a proposed well on a property owned by Mr. Schubert, with significant input from local residents and experts regarding potential impacts on the surrounding aquifer and existing wells.

Key points of the meeting included the distinction between exempt wells and those requiring augmentation plans. An exempt well allows property owners to drill and pump water without additional regulatory hurdles, but this is only applicable under specific conditions, such as owning at least 35 acres. The proposed development, however, was approved through a conservation development process rather than the rural land use process, which raised questions about its compliance with local regulations.

Residents from the Northern Colorado Water Association expressed concerns about how the new well might affect their own water sources. In response, Mr. Schubert presented an engineering report from Quality Well and Pump, which evaluated two nearby wells. The report suggested that the new well would not negatively impact existing water rights or deplete the aquifer. However, county staff cautioned that while one well may show adequate production rates, geological variations could lead to different outcomes for nearby wells, emphasizing the need for a test well to confirm water quality and production potential.

The meeting highlighted the ongoing dialogue between developers, local residents, and county officials regarding land use and water resource management. As the county moves forward, the implications of these discussions will be crucial for ensuring sustainable water access for all stakeholders involved.