State water planners Monday delayed a decision on a Chaffee County application for a kayak- course water right until September to give the county and opponents a chance to work on a settlement.
The Colorado Water Conservation Board postponed findings on the application after a hearing in Salida on Monday. State officials did not want to issue findings on the application if it might be altered by the time the case got to water court.
The county wants a water right to ensure the Arkansas River has enough big spring flows for its white-water industry.
County attorneys have been talking with opponents, primarily Aurora, Colorado Springs, the Southeastern Water Conservancy District, Upper Arkansas Water Conservancy District and the Pueblo Board of Water Works. All depend on the river for water supply.
