Shareholder
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).