RIO GRANDE RANCHES SUBDIVISION

From 1968 till 1970, Units 1 thru 34 of the Rio Grande Ranches Subdivision were platted, staked and subsequently accepted by Costilla County, Colorado. On May 8, 1972 the Colorado Ground Water Management Act was enacted to protect the supply of Colorado's underground water reserves. In 1973 and 1974 the Rio Grande Ranches Subdivision was enlarged with the addition of Units 35 thru 48. At this time the District Court in and for Water Division 3 mandated that Rio Grande Ranches of Colorado prepare and implement a Water Augmentation Plan (Case No. W-3169) which would incorporate the entire Subdivision - Units 1 thru 48. Lots in Units 1 - 34 which had been exempt from the Ground Water Management Act were to be accounted for and included in the Augmentation Plan. In order to accomplish this mandate, Rio Grande Ranches of Colorado purchased thousands of acres of ranch and pasture land, shuttering the wells and retiring the water rights to use them to fulfill the requirements of Augmentation..

Also known as: Rio Grande Ranches of Colorado

Primary location: Sisters United States