Personnel

John M. Dingess

Mr. Dingess’ practice emphasizes water law. He has extensive experience with water rights matters in the South Platte, Arkansas, Gunnison, and Colorado River basins. He has represented the City of Aurora for many years as their lead counsel for several multi-million dollar water rights transactions. Mr. Dingess has also represented other entities, including special districts, ditch companies, homeowners associations, agricultural interests, public and private development interests, and private parties in Colorado and the City of Fargo, North Dakota. He has extensive experience in special district matters, including dissolutions and exclusions.

Mr. Dingess has experience in many matters that have collateral impacts upon water rights, such as right-of-way questions, land use regulations, and local government rules and regulations. He has practiced in all levels of the Colorado State court system and before such state regulatory bodies as the Ground Water Commission and the Water Quality Control Commission. He also has experience working with federal regulatory agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

In addition to his legal practice, Mr. Dingess is active with several organizations that deal with infrastructure issues. During 2001-2003, he served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Metro Wastewater Reclamation District, the entity responsible for sewage treatment in the greater Denver area. He has also been active on several Colorado Municipal League and Colorado Water Congress committees and subcommittees.

Before attending law school, Mr. Dingess completed both a Master’s of Science in Freshwater Biology and a Ph.D. in Applied Microbiology. His doctoral dissertation research concerned microbial processes in sewage disposal. During graduate school, he was inducted into the Chi Beta Phi Scientific Honorary. Mr. Dingess received his J.D. from the University of North Dakota where he was a member of the law review staff and Phi Delta Phi Legal Fraternity.

Mr. Dingess has authored scientific publications, legal articles, made continuing legal education presentations, and appeared as an expert witness in water rights matters. He is licensed to practice in the State of Colorado, the State of North Dakota, the State of Florida, the U.S. District Court for Colorado, and the U.S. Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals. Mr. Dingess is a past member of the Board of Directors of the Aurora Bar Association and a past member of the Arapahoe County, Colorado, Ethics Committee.