Land and Water Rights
Water Law
Bernhoft Law’s specialized attorneys provide a broad range of water law services in Colorado and Wyoming. We assist clients in everything from researching and explaining the scope of their water rights, to preparing petitions to change their water rights, including requests to permanently or temporarily change the type of use, place of use, point of diversion, and means of conveyance. Our attorneys understand the vital importance of each client’s water rights to their business operations and to the overall value of their property. The Bernhoft Law Firm also represents several canal companies, irrigation districts, and water and sewer districts in Wyoming. Our water law services include:
- Water Sales
- Water Rights Analyses and Inventories
- Applications for New Water Rights
- Requests to Change Existing Water Rights
- Temporary Water Use Agreements
- Litigation of Contested Cases
- Petitions for Judicial Review
- Ditch or Pipeline Easement Agreements
- Water Sharing Agreements
- Augmentation Plans
- Substitute Water Supply Plans
Property Rights
Our team has comprehensive knowledge and experience with property rights, grazing rights, and land use matters, including assisting clients with a broad range of transactional and litigation services. The Bernhoft Law Firm is also the “go-to” team for agribusiness issues as our attorneys dedicate a considerable portion of their practices to representing agricultural producers. The Firm provides skilled advice and representation concerning the various legal issues that arise in owning and operating a farm or ranch. We consult with our clients regarding all aspects of agricultural planning, agreements, disputes, sales, and regulatory compliance. Our services include:
- Protecting and Defending Private Property Rights
- Protecting and Defending Grazing Rights
- Civil Litigation
- Purchase Agreements
- Lease Agreements
- Easement Agreements
- Implied Easement Issues
- Prescriptive Easement Issues
- Conveying Interests in Land
- Transmission Line Agreements
- Quiet Title Actions
- Environmental Compliance Issues
- Takings Issues
- Crop and Livestock Sales
- Leases and Crop Sharing Agreements
- Family Transition and Succession Planning
- Subordination and Non-Disturbance Agreements
- Agistor’s Liens
Recent Win
For the past five years, the Bernhoft Law Firm has worked diligently to protect and defend the City of Laramie’s water rights, including before the Albany County District Court, Wyoming Supreme Court, Wyoming Legislature, and Wyoming State Board of Control. As of August 2025, after many years of litigation against the University of Wyoming, the City is now finalizing projects to incorporate the City’s “infamous” 41 T3 Well into the municipal water system, for the benefit of all Laramie residents.
