DGS has significantly influenced the development of water resources in Colorado and the Rocky Mountain West for over 40 years.  Our rich history in the development of water policy in our region is reflected in the fact that two of our former partners have served as the Assistant Secretary for Water and Science with the U.S. Department of the Interior, while another former partner served as the Director of Natural Resources for Colorado, the Solicitor of the U.S. Department of the Interior, and the Assistant United States Attorney General for Lands and Natural Resources.

Today, DGS has great breadth of experience not only in water rights matters but also in all aspects of legal problems and projects that involve water.  We help municipalities, water conservancy districts, governmental entities, private industry, ditch companies, and individuals develop, adjudicate, finance, protect and operate under reliable water supplies.  We have significant experience in litigation over the initiation, protection, and transfer of water rights, approval of augmentation plans, rights to the use of underground water, and environmental contamination.  We also represent clients seeking to buy, sell, mortgage and exchange water rights, and opine and have served as expert witnesses as to water right title matters.

DGS has particularly strong interdisciplinary experience in addressing environmental and federal public land law issues related to water use and development.  These issues and experience include permitting and litigation under the Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, NEPA, National Forest Management Act, FLPMA, and similar state and federal laws.