From the La Junta Tribune:
The agreement stipulates that “Lower Ark is in the process of purchasing individual shares in the Larkspur Ditch Company from Catlin Canal Shareholders, and that Lower Ark may not be able to achieve absolute control of said Larkspur Ditch Company. This Agreement will only apply to the shares of the Larkspur Ditch Company that Lower Ark actually is able to purchase and own.” This transfer is made possible by the validity of the Larkspur Transmountain Decree. In other words, this is Western Slope water being transferred to the Lower Ark, made possible by a previous agreement with the Catlin.
The Catlin Ditch uses very little Larkspur water and can easily supply water to its agricultural interests without the Larkspur. The ditch had fallen into some disrepair during the years it did not have much use, but is now being brought up to good usage condition. The Lower Ark continues to work on seepage issues.
The water from the Larkspur diversion is of a higher quality than other water locally obtained, and is of imminent suitability for municipal use from the proposed Conduit project, which is now moving along rapidly (in comparison with before, when it seemed the impossible dream – completion still looms at least ten years in the future). It is also to be used to freshen the water supply to Lake Minnequa. Larkspur water may not be used out of the lower Arkansas basin, as described in the agreement.
More Arkansas River basin coverage here.