March 22, 2013

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A Tale of Three Cities

My first job out of law school was as an associate attorney in the office of Carroll, Bradley & Ciancio, P.C.  Counting me, there were four lawyers in the firm – the three partners and one lowly associate.  John Carroll was very active in politics and municipal law and he (and the firm) was the attorney for the City of Northglenn, Colorado.  My first really important assignment was to assist John in litigation to determine who owned the water system serving the citizens of Northglenn.

The water system had been installed in the mid-1950s as subdivisions were developed in what was then an unincorporated area of Adams County.  The City of Thornton acquired ownership of the system and used it to supply water to its residents as well as to homes and businesses in the still unincorporated areas.  The City of Northglenn incorporated in 1969 and soon claimed the system to the extent that it served residents and businesses within its boundaries.  The two cities were unable to negotiate a solution, so litigation was begun.  Continue reading →