Opinion ID: 2823836
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Elements of Claim and Issue Preclusion

Text: Â¶14Â Â Â Â Â Â Â We have consistently recognized that the doctrines of claim and issue preclusion apply in water right adjudications. Indeed, the application of these doctrines is aÂ cornerstone of stability and reliability of Colorado water rights. See, e.g., Upper Eagle Regâl Water Auth. v. Simpson, 167 P.3d 729, 737 (Colo. 2007) (explaining that to hold that findings regarding the quantification of a water right are not entitled to preclusive effect would âundermine the stability and reliability of Coloradoâs prior appropriation regimeâ). The preclusion doctrines protect litigants from needless relitigation of the same issues, further judicial economy, and promote the integrity of the judicial system by affirming that one can rely upon judicial decrees because they are final. Lobato v.Â Taylor, 70 P.3d 1152, 1165â66 (Colo. 2003). Â¶15Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Claim preclusion bars relitigation of matters that have already been decided in a prior proceeding, as well as matters that could have been raised in a prior proceeding but were not. Argus Real Estate, Inc. v. E-470 Pub. Highway Auth., 109 P.3d 604, 608 (Colo. 2005); Natural Energy Res. Co. v. Upper Gunnison River Water Conservancy Dist., 142 P.3d 1265, 1280 n.22 (Colo. 2006). A previous judgment precludes a court from reconsidering a claim in a subsequent proceeding if: (1) the first judgment is final; (2) the subject matter is identical; (3) the claims for relief are identical; and (4) the parties are identical or there is privity between parties to the two actions. Burlington Ditch Reservoir & Land Co. v. Metro Wastewater Reclamation Dist., 256 P.3d 645, 668 (Colo. 2011). Â¶16Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Issue preclusion provides that when a court enters a final decision on an issue previously litigated, the decision is conclusive in a subsequent action involving the same parties or those in privity with the original parties. McNichols v. Elk Dance Colo., LLC, 139 P.3d 660, 667 (Colo. 2006). Four criteria must be met for issue preclusion toÂ apply: (1) the issue is identical to an issue actually litigated and necessarily adjudicated in the prior action; (2) the party against whom estoppel is sought was either a party to the prior action or in privity with a previous party; (3) a final judgment was entered on the merits in the prior proceeding; and (4) the party against whom estoppel is sought had a full and fair opportunity to litigate the issues in the prior proceeding. Id.