Alpine Lakes Ditch & Reservoir Company
Alpine Lakes Ditch & Reservoir Company
Preserving and delivering irrigation water rights for Alpine Lakes Ranch shareholders
Our Mission
Water Is a Precious Resource
The Company, its directors, and its shareholders recognize that water is precious in the Western United States — a scarce commodity that enhances the value of the land to which it is applied. The water rights of the Company are valuable and vital assets. The Company was formed to facilitate the cooperative use of water by shareholders and to enforce the rights of each to their allocated entitlement.
By the Numbers
37
Shareholders
36
Lots
632
Shares
1,000 AF
Water Storage
Reservoir Storage Breakdown
Sappington Lake
320 AF
Spence Lake
441 AF
Harris
205 AF
Buckles
33 AF
21 Miles of Ditches
Approx. half within the National Forest
550 Acres Irrigated
Active agricultural irrigation across the Ranch
$30 / Share Annual Dues
POA holds 74 shares
Colorado Water Law
What You Should Know About ALDRC
Use It or Lose It
Colorado operates under the Prior Appropriation Doctrine. Water rights that are not put to beneficial use can be subject to abandonment.
Storage & Transport Rights
Most ALDRC water rights are for the storage and transport of water for agricultural irrigation — not general domestic use.
Spence Reservoir
Spence Reservoir includes rights for recreation, fishing, and domestic use — making it uniquely valuable among the Ranch's water assets.
Expanding Rights
In a recent court filing, Water District 7 advised against expanding rights in the Coyote-Boone Ditch to include livestock and wildlife water.
Safety & Compliance
Dam Inspections
Annual Inspections
Spence Lake and Sappington Lake receive annual state inspections. Both require an active Emergency Response Plan.
5-Year Inspections
Buckles and Harris dams are inspected every five years per state requirements.
Spence Lake — Recreation & Fishing
Spence Lake provides fishing and recreation benefits to all property owners — a unique asset among the Ranch's water infrastructure.
Why It Matters
Benefits to All Property Owners
Grazing & Agricultural Zoning
Irrigation of 550 acres and availability of water for livestock is significant in the Ranch's ability to lease grazing land and maintain agricultural status.
Grant Eligibility
In order to qualify for many grants, the Ranch must have an agricultural product. Active water rights and irrigation are key to maintaining that eligibility.
Drinking Water Backup
An augmentation plan supplies 55 AF of irrigation water to the Navajo River Basin in drought if called by the state. Spence Lake also serves as a backup to the drinking water system per agreement between the Ditch Company and the POA.
What the Ditch Company Requests of the POA Board
These benefits are paid for by the 37 Ditch Company shareholders across 36 lots.
Recognize the benefits all property owners receive from the Ditch Company.
Recognize that these benefits are paid for by the 37 Ditch Company Shareholders / 36 lots.
In all Board decisions, consider the effect on water rights and irrigation.
Understand that if the agricultural product disappears, so can irrigation water.
Consider developing a "vision" for the Ranch to guide decision-making.
Include Dams in the Reserve Study or otherwise cover major dam repair costs.
Be open to discussions on the financial benefit each property owner receives from irrigation and how they could share in the financial expenses of the Ditch Company.
Leadership
Board of Directors
Alpine Lakes Ditch & Reservoir Company, Inc.
PO Box 5672 · Pagosa Springs, CO 81147
Ron Smith
President
Tina Jones
Secretary
Michelle Downey
Treasurer
Tim Angus
Director
Tina Jones
Director
Layne Morris
Director
Dean Jones
Director
David Stoliker
Director
Ron Smith
Director
Michelle Downey
Director
Layne Morris
Ditch Rider
Dean Jones
Ditch Rider
Ron Smith
Ditch Rider
David Stoliker
Ditch Rider
Documents & Resources
Company Documents
Ditch & Water Infrastructure
Common Questions
Ditch & Reservoir FAQ
Does my property include ditch shares?
Ditch shares may be associated with your parcel. Review your deed and title documents, or contact [email protected] with your parcel number for assistance.
What are ditch assessments?
Shareholders in the ALDRC pay annual assessments ($30 per share) to fund ditch and reservoir maintenance, repairs, and administration. These are separate from POA dues.
Can I use ditch water for irrigation?
Shareholders may use their allocated water for beneficial uses including irrigation and livestock watering, subject to the terms of their shares and Colorado water law.
Who manages the Ditch Company?
The ALDRC is governed by its own Board of Directors, elected by shareholders. For current board information, contact [email protected].
How do I transfer ditch shares when selling my property?
Ditch shares are allocated to new owners when a property is sold. The Ditch Company Secretary will create a new share certificate once the property closes and the title company pays the transfer fee.
Contact the Ditch Company
Questions about shares, assessments, or water rights? Reach out to the Board.