The City of Thornton Water Resources Division is charged with obtaining and protecting water rights to ensure an adequate supply for all Thornton utility customers. This division is responsible for the acquisition or development of raw water resources and coordinates associated adjudication efforts. The Water Resources Division manages all water basins and water rights, which Thornton uses for its water supply. Thornton currently manages water rights in Clear Creek basin, South Platte (Metro Area) and Cache La Poudre Basin. Thornton continues to purchase shares in agricultural ditch companies that own water rights. The water resources staff also seeks to develop new water rights. This is accomplished by filing applications with the Water Court for conditional water rights.

    Clear Creek

Water resources staff performs daily accounting of water rights including amount of water being diverted and amount of water in storage. It is necessary to monitor the raw water system to ensure all of Thornton's legal obligations are met. This includes the delivery of water the City is contractually obligated to provide to other entities. In addition, this program ensures other entities provide water that is owed to Thornton.

This division also monitors activities by other entities and individuals within the South Platte and Clear Creek basins and their tributaries for impacts on Thornton's water supply.