Gabe Racz

Gabe Racz guides public and private clients through state and federal environmental, water quality, and water rights challenges.

Gabe advises municipalities, agriculture, mining, industry, and utilities on all aspects of compliance with the Clean Water Act (CWA) and Colorado Water Quality Control Act (CWQCA). He regularly represents clients in hearings and public comments regarding water quality standards, Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs), rule makings, and policies. His experience also includes all aspects of National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) and Colorado Discharge Permit System (CDPS) permits including public comment, adjudications, litigation, compliance advice, enforcement, and citizens suits.

Gabe regularly provides comment and testimony on the intersection of water quality and water resources regulation and legislation. With an emphasis on the unique challenges of water supply projects in the arid west, Gabe counsels clients through environmental permitting, including CWA Section 404 dredge and fill and wetland permitting, water quality certifications, Endangered Species Act consultation and permitting (ESA), and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). He also represents clients in acquiring, protecting, and using water rights, including water rights adjudication for surface and groundwater rights, changes of water rights, and plans for augmentation, as well as water rights purchase and sale transactions.