Colorado official threatens legal action over Perkins County Canal

Colorado’s attorney general is threatening legal action if Nebraska tries to condemn land in Colorado for the proposed Perkins County Canal.

On Jan. 17, Nebraska sent letters to six landowners in Colorado offering $1.4 million for about 650 acres of land along the South Platte River for the so-called Perkins County Canal. That’s a plan to divert South Platte River water from Colorado to Nebraska during the non-irrigation season. The letters gave landowners 90 days to accept, saying otherwise Nebraska could begin the process of eminent domain.

On Tuesday, Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser wrote commissioners of Sedgewick County, Colorado, where the canal would begin, promising legal action if needed. Weiser’s letter says “if Nebraska continues down this path, the State of Colorado is prepared to defend its rights under the South Platte River Compact. My commitment to defending these rights includes going to court if necessary – an outcome that is near certain if Nebraska follows through on its threat to use condemnation proceedings to compel the sale of land owned by Coloradans.”

Nebraska says the Colorado landowners have until April 17 to respond to Nebraska’s offer.

To read Attorney General Weiser’s full letter, click here.

A look at past coverage of the proposed Perkins County Canal project:

Nebraska seeks Colorado canal land, school choice fight resumes

Nebraska moving ahead with Perkins County Canal plans despite Colorado’s concerns

Colorado wary of Nebraska’s plans for Perkins County Canal

Pillen: 'I'll abandon Perkins Canal if legal costs get too high'

Nebraska begins buying Colorado land for Perkins County Canal