No interest in real property cognizable under the statutes, common law, or custom in effect in this state prior to July 1, 1976, nor any lease or sublease thereof at any time, nor any transfer of a water right or any change of a point of diversion decreed prior to the recordation of any conservation easement in gross restricting a transfer or change shall be impaired, invalidated, or in any way adversely affected by reason of any provision of this article. No provision of this article shall be construed to mean that conservation easements in gross were not lawful estates in land prior to July 1, 1976. Nothing in this article shall be construed so as to impair the rights of a public utility, as that term is defined by section 40-1-103, C.R.S., with respect to rights-of-way, easements, or other property rights upon which facilities, plants, or systems of a public utility are located or are to be located. Any conservation easement in gross concerning water or water rights shall be subject to the "Water Right Determination and Administration Act of 1969", as amended, article 92 of title 37, C.R.S., and any decree adjudicating the water or water rights.
Source: L. 76: Entire article added, p. 752, § 1, effective July 1. L. 2003: Entire section amended, p. 991, § 6, effective August 6.