Explain the legal distinction between a Colorado well permit and a Colorado water right before a client assumes drilling approval equals a protected water right

Steps

1. A well permit is issued administratively by the State Engineer (Colorado DWR) and is required before drilling any groundwater well in the state
2. A water right, by contrast, is confirmed through a Water Court-approved decree establishing priority date, source, point of diversion, amount, type and place of use, and conditions protecting other water rights
3. For nontributary groundwater specifically, only a well permit from the State Engineer is required prior to drilling — these claims typically do not go through Water Court adjudication at all, unlike tributary groundwater/surface claims
4. Advise clients that having a well permit does not by itself establish a legally protected, senior water right against other users — it authorizes construction/use administratively
5. For disputed or contested groundwater rights, direct the client toward Colorado's water court process rather than assuming the DWR well-permit record settles priority questions