Jeff Kahn has been representing clients at Lyons Gaddis in water related matters since 1985. He advises municipalities, special districts, water conservancy districts, irrigation companies, landowners and developers. He was a managing shareholder of Lyons Gaddis from 2006 until 2014. His practice has included representation of several conservation organizations including Colorado Open Lands and the Palmer Land Conservancy and consulting work for the Colorado West Land Trust. Prior to Lyons Gaddis he was an assistant attorney general in the water unit of the Colorado attorney General’s office (1980-1985), worked in a general civil practice in the Denver from 10776-1980 and was a law clerk at Native American Rights Fund (NARF) in Boulder for one year. At NARF and at the Colorado Attorney General’s office he had the opportunity to work for David Getches.
Jeff is a frequent lecturer on water issues, including at events sponsored by the Colorado Water Congress, the Ditch and Reservoir Company Alliance and the Colorado Bar Association.
At Lyons Gaddis, his trial and appellate work include the following reported cases: Aurora v. State Engineer, 105 P.2d 595 (Colo. 2005) (standards for an augmentation plan); Board of County Commissioners v. Park County Sportsmen’s Ranch, LLP, 45 P.3d 693 (Colo. 2002) (standards for a conjunctive use project); Park County Sportsmen’s Ranch, LLP v. Bargas, 986 P.2d 262 (Colo. 1999) (interpretation of the non-tributary ground water statute); South Adams County Water and Sanitation District v. Broe Land Co., 812 P.2d 1161 (Colo. 1991) (determination of priorities in an adjudication); and Zigan Sand & Gravel, Inc. v. Cache La Poudre Water Users, 758 P.2d 175 (Colo. 1988) (requirement to replace evaporation from gravel pits).
Jeff has served on the Board of Directors of the Boulder Shelter for the Homeless from 2110 to 2019 (Chair 2015-16) and on the board of the Boulder County Bar Association (co-chair, Natural Resources Section).