Private Property Drainage & Colorado Law

This page is intended only to provide an overview of resources regarding drainage laws for property owners in the SEMSWA Service Area. 

Effective stormwater management protects private property, supports public infrastructure, and reduces flooding risks.

Understanding Flooding on Your Property

Flooding can occur for many reasons, including heavy rainfall, snowmelt, clogged drainage systems, overflowing waterways, or changes in nearby development. While some flooding is caused by natural weather events, others may result from drainage issues that require investigation.

As a homeowner, taking prompt action can help minimize damage and determine whether the problem is a private maintenance issue or one that may involve SEMSWA.

What You Should Do First

 1. Protect Your Family and Property

• Avoid walking or driving through floodwaters.
• Turn off electricity if water threatens to enter your home and it is safe to do so.
• Move valuables when possible.
• Follow any evacuation orders issued by local authorities.

2. Document the Flooding

Take photographs and videos of:

• Standing water
• Water entering structures
• Damage to landscaping, fences, driveways, and buildings
• The apparent source and direction of water flow

Keep records of the date, time, weather conditions, and any repair costs. This information may be useful for insurance claims or if the flooding requires further investigation.

3. Inspect Your Property

Check for common maintenance issues such as:

• Clogged gutters and downspouts
• Blocked driveway culverts
• Obstructed yard drains
• Debris in drainage ditches
• Poor grading that directs water toward your home

Many localized flooding problems can be reduced through regular property maintenance.

4. Contact Your Insurance Company

If your property has been damaged, notify your insurance provider as soon as possible. Prompt reporting can help begin the claims process and provide guidance on documenting losses.

SEMSWA’s Authority: What We Can and Cannot Do 

 

SEMSWA does not have legal authority to enforce drainage disputes between private property owners. 

 

SEMSWA can: 

• Manage regional flood control systems 
• Maintain public drainage infrastructure 
• Enforce adopted drainage criteria for construction permits 
• Provide technical guidance, such as providing education to property owners on drainage patterns 
• Help obtain drainage documents 

Examples:

• Public storm drains that are blocked or overflowing
• Culverts beneath public roads that appear obstructed
• Water backing up because of damaged public drainage systems
• Flooding caused by failures of public infrastructure
• Significant erosion affecting public property or roadways
• Repeated flooding that affects multiple neighboring properties

Providing photographs, videos, and detailed observations can help officials assess the situation more efficiently.

SEMSWA cannot: 

• Regulate water rights 
• Regulate rainwater harvesting 
• Enforce State or Federal drainage laws 
• Intervene in civil disputes between neighbors regarding grading, runoff, or property damage 

Examples:

• Gutters and downspouts
• Private drainage systems
• Yard grading
• Foundation drainage
• Landscaping that affects water flow
• Private drainage easements located on private property

Understanding property ownership and maintenance responsibilities can help determine the appropriate course of action.

If you believe a neighbor has altered drainage in a way that violates Colorado’s Modified Civil Law Rule, this is a private civil matter. Resolution typically requires: 

• Direct communication between property owners 
• Mediation 
• Legal action through the appropriate court system 

Homeowners can reduce flood risks by:

• Cleaning gutters and drains regularly
• Keeping drainage paths free of debris
• Maintaining proper grading around the home
• Installing or maintaining sump pumps where appropriate
• Using rain barrels or rain gardens to manage runoff
• Consulting qualified professionals before making significant landscaping or drainage changes

Understanding Drainage Policy & Law Resources (Mile High Flood District (MHFD) Drainage Policy and Law )

 
🔗 https://www.mhfd.org/files/ed17097cf/01_Drainage-Policy.pdf 

 
🔗 https://mhfd.org/files/c31c02ead/02_Drainage-Law.pdf 

 

Key Colorado Drainage Principles 

The Modified Civil Law Rule (see above drainage law link for more information) 

 

Colorado follows the Modified Civil Law Rule, which states: 

• An upstream property owner has a natural right to allow water to drain downhill. 
• Property owners may be held legally liable if unreasonable changes cause harm. 
• An upstream property owner may not direct drainage onto a downhill landowner if it has a higher velocity and/or larger volume then occurred historically.

Examples of potentially unreasonable alterations include: 

• Adding berms or barriers 
• Regrading that redirects flows 
• Installing landscaping that concentrates flow 

 

Drainage Easements (C.R.S. Title 37) 

Drainage easements allow SEMSWA or other public entities to access private property to maintain or improve stormwater flow. 

Legal foundation: 
🔗 https://colorado.public.law/statutes/crs_title_37_article_86 

 

Typical easement restrictions include: 

• No permanent structures (sheds, additions, fences) 
• No debris, fill, or obstructions 

How to find your easement: 

• Check your closing documents including the survey of your property or plat map 
• Search Arapahoe County Clerk & Recorder records 
• Contact SEMSWA for known easements on your parcel 

 

Rainwater Collection in Colorado 

Colorado allows limited rainwater harvesting using Rain Barrels:

C.R.S. § 37‑96.5‑103 
🔗 https://dwr.colorado.gov/services/water-administration/rainwater-storm-water-graywater 

 

Rooftop Precipitation Collection  

C.R.S. § 3792602(1)(g) and § 3790105(1)(f) 
For properties with an exempt or small capacity residential well. 
Permit information: 
🔗 https://dwr.colorado.gov/services/water-administration/rainwater-storm-water-graywater 

 

Stormwater Liability Between Neighbors 

If drainage changes on one property cause damage to another, liability is determined by: 

• Whether the change increased flow either by volume or velocity
• Whether the drainage pattern deviates from natural conditions 

These disputes are civil matters, not enforceable by SEMSWA.