Posted: Tuesday, May 13, 2025
Author: Jim Vidamour, ALC, Principal Broker | Licensed in CO, NM, UT
Dear Land Expert,
As a private landowner who depends on a well, I’ve heard about registering private wells with the state, but I don’t fully understand why it's important to have it registered. Does registering a well benefit me as a landowner? Is there any 'red tape' associated with registering a well that I should be aware of? I want to make informed decisions that safeguard both my property and natural resources.
Dear Water,
Water laws are different in each state. Most states distinguish between groundwater (wells) and surface water (from rivers and creeks, etc.). There are various well classifications with different permitted uses, such as agricultural, commercial, or residential. States also have state-specific registration requirements. Water is the most valuable resource in the Rocky Mountain West, so it is very important that a landowner protects their perpetual use of their water, whether ground or surface, by complying with state registration regulations.
