Ronald James Pacheco tells commissioners he holds historic Pacheco water rights spanning Pueblo, Las Animas and Huerfano counties

During the public-comment period on June 30, 2026, Ronald James Pacheco identified himself and described a set of historic family water rights and headgates he said are tied to Pacheco family land across multiple counties.

Pacheco introduced several specific identifiers and priority numbers, including a reference to "WTID number 1600557" and described what he called the "number one headgate and the oldest water right in this county." He listed several named priority numbers associated with family members and multiple Pacheco ditches and springs, saying the land that goes with those rights is currently in dispute and that he intends to pursue those matters across Pueblo, Las Animas and Huerfano counties.

In his remarks Pacheco characterized these rights as "sovereign vested and treaty right[s]." He said the family has not left the land and that he will address the disputes "one at a time." The board acknowledged his comments; the transcript records no formal response from staff or a commission directive to take immediate action on his statements.

The comments were recorded as part of the public comment period and the transcript does not document any legal filings or staff reports presented in response during the meeting. The board moved on to other agenda items after acknowledging the speaker.