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Overview and Experience

Utilizing over 35 years of water law experience, Jeff Kahn has been representing clients at Lyons Gaddis in water related matters since 1985.  He advises municipalities, special districts, water conservancy districts, irrigation companies, landowners and developers. His clients benefit from his experience in completing transactions and his successfully obtaining results in water court.

Notable projects that Jeff has worked on during his time at the firm include drafting  and promulgation of the nontributary rules for the State of Colorado, representing the St. Vrain & Left Hand Water Conservancy District, and other clients, in the trial of the United States Forest Service claims for reserved instream flows in the South Platte River basin, and representing several local governments in successfully defeating claims for export of water from the South Park aquifer in Colorado. Recently Jeff has represented clients in complex water right acquisitions and sales. Jeff also counsels conservation organizations on water acquisitions and related matters.

Jeff’s is a frequent lecturer on water issues, including at events sponsored by the Colorado Water Congress, the Ditch and Reservoir Company Alliance and the Colorado Bar Association.

Before joining the firm, Jeff worked at the Colorado Attorney General's office, where he represented the State in several precedent setting appellate cases. At Lyons Gaddis, his trial and appellate work include the following reported cases: Aurora v. State Engineer, 105 P.2d 595 (Colo. 2005) (standards for an augmentation plan); Board of County Commissioners v. Park County Sportsmen’s Ranch, LLP, 45 P.3d 693 (Colo. 2002) (standards for a conjunctive use project); Park County Sportsmen’s Ranch, LLP v. Bargas, 986 P.2d 262 (Colo. 1999) (interpretation of the non-tributary ground water statute); South Adams County Water and Sanitation District v. Broe Land Co., 812 P.2d 1161 (Colo. 1991) (determination of priorities in an adjudication); and Zigan Sand & Gravel, Inc. v. Cache La Poudre Water Users, 758 P.2d 175 (Colo. 1988) (requirement to replace evaporation from gravel pits).

• Publications

  Jeff's publications include: The Law of Irrigation Easements and Rights of Way,” (with Mark D. Detsky) Colorado Water Law Benchbook (Carrie L. Ciliberto and Timothy J. Flanagan editors) (2009); “Dealing with Urbanization and Development,” Chapter of DARCA Handbook (2005); “Ownership of Mutual Ditch Company Assets,” 20 Colorado Lawyer 2082, October 1991: “The Colorado Experience in Resolving Surface-Ground Water Conflicts” (with Robert A. Longenbaugh, Assistant State Engineer), National Symposium on Water Resources Law, A.S.C.E., December 1986; “The Continuing Ground Water Saga - Part I: Senate Bill 5,” 15 Colorado Lawyer 422, March 1986; “The Continuing Ground Water Saga - Part II: The Denver Basin Rules,” 15 Colorado Lawyer 667, April 1986; and “The Continuing Ground Water Saga - Part III: The Statewide Nontributary Ground Water Rules,” 15 Colorado Lawyer 813, May 1986.

• Education and Community Service

  Jeff graduated from the University of Colorado in 1972 and from the University of Colorado School of Law in 1975. 

  Jeff is a member of the Water Section of the Colorado Bar Association, a member and past director of the Boulder County Bar Association, a member of the Boulder County Bar Foundation, and a past chairman of the Natural Resources Section of the Boulder County Bar Association.

  Jeff served on the Board of Directors of the Boulder Shelter for the Homeless from 2010 to 2019 (president 2015-2016). In his personal time Jeff is an avid skier and road biker.