(a) Record and Indices. The water clerk shall prepare and maintain books of all judgments and decrees in the sequence of their entry by the court, or shall keep microfilm or magnetic tape copies of the same. The water clerk shall prepare and maintain suitable indices of the judgments and decrees.
Rule 88.Judgments and Decrees
Current through June 1, 2026 · Last verified July 10, 2026
In one sentenceRule 88 requires the water clerk to record every water court judgment and decree in sequence, index them for later retrieval, treat each decree as final once entered, and promptly notify applicants, protestors, and objectors of the outcome.
Full Text of Rule 88
(b) Entry and Finality of Judgment. Immediately following the issuance of a judgment and decree the water clerk shall make an entry of record concerning the same, and the judgment and decree shall then be deemed final.
(c) Notice. A copy of such judgment and decree or notice thereof shall be given promptly to applicants and to any protestors and objectors, or their attorneys.
Amendment History
The source reproduced here (current through June 1, 2026) records no amendment to this rule since its original adoption — no Credits line appears for it in the compiled rules. For the underlying adopting order and any later amendments, see the Colorado General Assembly.
Plain-English Summary
Rule 88 sets the basic recordkeeping and notice duties for the clerk of a Colorado water court. The clerk must keep a running record of every judgment and decree in the order the court enters them, either in bound books or on microfilm or magnetic tape, and must build indices so a particular decree can be found later.
The rule also fixes the moment a water right decree becomes final: as soon as the water clerk makes an entry of record following issuance of the judgment and decree, the decree is deemed final. The clerk must then promptly give a copy of the judgment and decree, or notice of it, to the applicant and to anyone who protested or objected in the case, or to their attorneys.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does a water court decree become final under Rule 88?
As soon as the water clerk makes an entry of record following issuance of the judgment and decree, the decree is deemed final.
How must the water clerk keep records of judgments and decrees?
The clerk must maintain books recording every judgment and decree in the order entered, or keep microfilm or magnetic tape copies, along with indices that make individual decrees easy to locate.
Who receives notice once a decree is entered?
The applicant and any protestors or objectors in the case, or their attorneys, must promptly receive a copy of the judgment and decree or notice of it.
Source & verification. The rule text is reproduced verbatim from the
official Colorado Rules of Civil Procedure (Colo. R. Civ. P. 88). Prescribed by the Supreme Court of Colorado (C.R.S. § 13-2-108; Colo. Const. art. VI). The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified July 10, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as: water court judgments and decreeswater clerk recordkeepingwater rights decree finalitywater court decree noticewater court