Aaron Ladd, a water law attorney in Dickinson Wright’s Denver office, focuses his practice on water rights including water supply planning, water court litigation, appeals, buying and selling water rights, contract negotiations, and resolution of irrigation and drainage easement disputes. Aaron practices frequently before the Water Court in Colorado as both an Applicant and an Opposer, has handled appeals to the Colorado Supreme Court, and successfully drafted and championed state legislation for his clients. Aaron also advises clients concerning interstate water compacts, including the Colorado River Compact. His clients include municipalities, groundwater districts, industrial users, power companies, mines, water companies, land developers, farmers, ranchers, and individuals.
With an academic background in Geography and Environmental Science, Aaron brings strong technical expertise to his water law practice. Combining creative-problem solving with a focus on client goals, Aaron effectively guides his clients through the complexities of water law to secure and protect critical water resources.
Education & Credentials
Education
University of Denver, Sturm College of Law
J.D., 2009Miami University
B.A., Geography & Environmental Science, 2006Bar Admission
Acknowledgements
- Best Lawyers in America®
- 2024-2025
Prominent Assignments
- Adjudicating water rights, augmentation plans, and exchanges for more than 40 individual homeowners, developers, and water users in the foothills of Denver.
- Assisting a municipality to protect existing water rights and develop storage to protect against drought and post-wildfire water supply impacts.
- Securing water rights and an augmentation plan to support a Colorado mine through operation and reclamation in western Colorado.
- Protecting senior water rights of significant industrial users through litigation, legislation, negotiation, and thoughtful water supply planning.
- Negotiating contracts for storage, pipeline capacity, and water delivery to support new industrial operations.
- Civil litigation and settlement negotiations to enforce drainage easements against neighbor seeking to alter drainage patters.
- Assist water companies and ditch companies to amend bylaws to protect interests.
- Assist clients to obtain well permits, including permits in Colorado’s Designated Basins.
- Successfully contest Colorado Ground Water Commission rules at hearing to prevent adoption of proposed rule changes and implement alternative language to meet client objectives.
- Assist buyers and seller in all aspects of water rights transactional due diligence.
- Draft deeds and assignments to effectively transfer water rights in connection with other real property.
- Frequently work with water rights engineers and other experts to achieve client objectives and as expert witnesses in litigation.
Professional Involvement
- Colorado Bar Association, Water Law Section
- Boulder County Bar Association, Natural Resources/Environmental Section
Publications/Presentations
- Presenter, "Changes of Water Rights Quantifying Consumptive Use: Panel Discussion of Recent Case Law and Statutory Developments," May 2016