Colo. Rev. Stat. § 37-41-115
The title to all property acquired under this article shall immediately and by operation of law vest in such irrigation district in its corporate name, and shall be held by such district in trust for and is hereby dedicated and set apart for the uses and purposes set forth in this article, and shall be exempt from all taxation as provided in section 3 of article X of the state constitution. The board is hereby authorized to hold, use and acquire, manage, occupy, and possess said property as provided in this article; except that when any district contemplated in this article finds it necessary to procure and acquire a supply of water from outside the boundaries of this state, then it shall be lawful for said district to contract and pay for the same in the same manner as other property acquired by the district is purchased and paid for. Any property acquired by the district may be conveyed to the United States insofar as the same may be needed for the construction, operation, or maintenance of works by the United States for the benefit of the district under any contract that may be entered into by the United States pursuant to this article.
C.R.S. § 37-41-115