FISCAL 2016 ANNUAL REPORT
LETTER TO SHAREHOLDERS
FORM 10-K
PROXY STATEMENT
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Dear Shareholders:
Fiscal Year 2016 was highlighted by a number of infrastructure additions to our Water Systems and the
beginning of development of our Sky Ranch property. Our focus has been to expand our water utility
business organically through the development of Sky Ranch as well as through targeted acquisitions of
existing water and wastewater systems that can be connected to our systems efficiently and cost
effectively. Our focus is to use our valuable portfolio of water and our strong balance sheet to grow our
wholesale water and wastewater business. Management and our Board believe we have a number of
strategic opportunities to deploy capital that will significantly increase shareholder value and generate
accretive returns to the Company.
Sky Ranch
After several months and numerous discussions with regional and national developers, we decided to
proceed with developing the initial phase of our Sky Ranch property ourselves. Management and the
Board gave careful consideration to numerous proposals from developers interested in participating in Sky
Ranch, however we did not feel the terms proposed were in the best interest of our shareholders. What
became apparent from these discussions was the high cost of capital from various development partners
which would have significantly burden lot values and push our lot costs above our target entry market
product. High cost of capital combined with direct interest from home builders led us to update our land
plan and obtain preliminary plats from Arapahoe County and seek to work directly with homebuilders.
With approved preliminary plats,
we can phase our roads, water,
sewer,
delivery
and
time
infrastructure
investments with lot purchases.
Our first phase includes up to 525
detached single family lots. We
have begun construction of our
water transmission line which
will
interconnect our Lowry
Range/ WISE water supplies to
Sky Ranch with an estimated cost
of approximately $4.2 million
and will be complete by March
Additionally, we are
2017.
designing,
and
engineering
permitting our initial phase of our
wastewater reclamation facility
(estimated cost of $4 million), as well as our entry access road (estimated cost of $5 million). Other than
our water pipeline, all other infrastructure (water, sewer, roads, etc.) can be developed concurrently with
the sale of lots to homebuilders.
lot
to
The Denver metropolitan housing market continues to be among the top performing residential housing
markets in the country. The Denver housing market has experienced significant price appreciation and
according to MetroStudy (July 2016 Denver Metro Area Briefing), “lot supply is the lowest in 15 years
and deliveries have slowed, the number of lots under development suggest that supply will remain tight
for the foreseeable future.” Our approach is to control the phasing of infrastructure and the cost of
delivering lots to be able to meet market demands for entry level homes priced in the $300,000 range. We
are working with several national home builders interested in lots at Sky Ranch. The project will likely
have several product offerings ranging from the entry level to 2 – 3 move up models. The project can be
developed with a single builder with multiple product offerings or multiple builders each with individual
product offerings.
Infrastructure Deliveries
During the past year we have added significant value to our water system with the WISE interconnect, a
new wastewater storage reservoir and the initiation of a
transmission line to connect our Lowry and WISE water supplies
to Sky Ranch. Each of these projects were designed, engineered,
and permitted in house and constructed under a competitive bid
procurement process. The WISE interconnect and control vault
were installed by company personnel and is the first connection
to the WISE system able to accept water deliveries. Each of the
10 South Metropolitan Wise Authority water providers are
constructing their interconnections to the WISE transmission line
in order to be able to take water deliveries scheduled to begin June
2017.
Water is our most valuable resource. Our stewardship of our
water supplies includes the efficient use of these supplies, the
collection of wastewater, advanced treatment, and reuse of these
valuable supplies for irrigation and industrial uses. Our treated
wastewater storage reservoirs, both at Sky Ranch and now at
Lowry allow us to recapture our treated wastewater and reuse
those supplies for outdoor irrigation and/or industrial frack water
demands. The Company designed, engineered, and permitted our second reuse reservoir and constructed
our Lowry reservoir through a competitive bid process which was completed and began storing water this
July.
Sky
Lowry/
Our
Ranch
interconnect will connect our
existing domestic water system
which serves our domestic water
customers with the ECCV system
and our Sky Ranch system. This
will allow us to transport water to
and from the WISE system to our
customers, it will strengthen our
supplies across our more than 20
miles of transmission lines to our
industrial customers, and it will
provide water service for our Sky
Ranch development. The addition of this infrastructure adds significant value to our water system and
expands our service throughout the Interstate 70 corridor, which is a key strategic initiative for our
business.
We also hold certain rights to two water storage
reservoirs on the Lowry Range. The cyclical
nature of Colorado’s precipitation results in the
majority of our water stored as winter snow pack
and then is available during the spring run-off.
The majority of our water demands occur over the
summer months as outdoor irrigation picks up
after the spring run-off. The ability to store water
during the spring for use throughout the summer
is an important water management asset.
Our storage reservoirs are in close proximity to the
regional WISE water systems as well as
neighboring water providers who have expressed
interest in our reservoirs. We continue to explore
ways to monetize this asset including (i) an
outright sale of our interests, (ii) partnering on the
construction and operation of a new reservoir, and
(iii) securing additional renewable water as partial
consideration.
Industrial Water Sales
Since the decline in oil prices, there has been no additional drilling activity in and around our service area
in 2016. We generated over $343,000 in oil & gas royalties during the year from the two wells that pool
our Sky Ranch minerals interests with those under adjoining lands. These wells appear to be among the
best producing wells in the region and continue to operate as gas driven wells. Many industry reports
highlight the competitive cost advantage of Colorado’s Niobrara shale oil formations over other non-
conventional oil plays. The timing and extent of future O&G
development likely depends on the price of oil. The primary
operator in our region still has a number of wells to complete in
order to hold certain leases and has indicated that they might add
additional wells in 2017.
LOOKING FORWARD
Our focus for fiscal 2017 will be to expand our water delivery
capability by interconnecting our Lowry and Sky Ranch water
systems and by planning further extensions to areas where we
can serve both existing and future new customers. We will
continue to pursue regional opportunities with our WISE and
water storage assets to monetize and expand our service
capacities. With the continued strength of the Denver housing
market and our local economy, we will continue to pursue a
development partner for our Sky Ranch project and work
towards defining more certainty regarding development of that
project.
Along with the Company’s employees and directors, we are gratified by our accomplishments to date and
remain committed to building shareholder value with our land and water assets. We are grateful for your
continued support.
Mark W. Harding
President and Chief Executive Officer
Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the
Fiscal Year Ended August 31, 2016
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-K
X
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2016
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
Commission File Number 0-8814
PURE CYCLE CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Colorado
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation
or organization)
84-0705083
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
34501 E. Quincy Ave., Bldg. 34, Box 10
Watkins, CO 80137
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(303) 292-3456
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Common Stock 1/3 of $.01 par value
(Title of each class)
The NASDAQ Stock Market, LLC
(Name of each exchange on which registered)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: NONE
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yes [ ] No [X]
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.
Yes [ ] No [X]
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required
to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes [X] No [ ]
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every
Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (Section 232.405 of this
chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such
files). Yes [X] No [ ]
4221270.5
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (Section 229.405 of this
chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or
information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K [X]
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a
smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting
company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act:
Large accelerated filer
Non-accelerated filer
[ ]
[ ]
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Accelerated filer
[X]
Smaller reporting company [ ]
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes [ ] No [X]
State the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference
to the price at which the common equity was last sold, or the average bid and asked price of such common equity, as of the
last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter: $78,578,883
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable
date: October 27, 2016: 23,754,098
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
The information required by Part III is incorporated by reference from the registrant’s definitive proxy statement for the
Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held in January 2017, which will be filed with the SEC within 120 days of the close
of the fiscal year ended August 31, 2016.
Table of Contents
Item
1
1A.
1B.
2
3
4
5
6
7
Business
Risk Factors
Unresolved Staff Comments
Properties
Legal Proceedings
Mine Safety Discolosures
Part I
Part II
Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer
Purchases of Equity Securities
Selected Financial Data
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations
7A.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
8
9
9A.
9B.
10
11
12
13
14
15
Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial
Disclosure
Controls and Procedures
Other Information
Part III
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Executive Compensation
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related
Stockholder Matters
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence
Principal Accountant Fees and Services
Part IV
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
Signatures
Page
3
17
23
23
23
23
24
26
27
37
38
39
39
40
40
40
40
40
40
41
42
i
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Statements that are not historical facts contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, or incorporated by reference
into this Form 10-K, are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). The words “anticipate,” “seek,”
“project,” “future,” “likely,” “believe,” “may,” “should,” “could,” “will,” “estimate,” “expect,” “plan,” “intend” and
similar expressions, as they relate to us, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking
statements include statements relating to, among other things:
factors affecting demand for water;
our competitive advantage;
plans to develop additional water assets within the Denver area;
future water supply needs in Colorado and how such needs will be met;
anticipated increases in residential and commercial demand for water services and competition for these
services;
estimated population increases in the Denver metropolitan area and the South Platte River basin;
plans for the use and development of our water assets and potential delays;
plans to provide water for drilling and hydraulic fracturing of oil and gas wells;
changes in oil and gas drilling activity on our property and on the Lowry Range;
regional cooperation among area water providers in the development of new water supplies and water
storage, transmission and distribution systems as the most cost-effective way to expand and enhance
service capacities;
the impact of individual housing and economic cycles on the number of connections we can serve with our
water;
increases in future water tap fees;
negotiation of payment terms for fees;
plans for development of our Sky Ranch property;
the number of units planned for the first phase of development at Sky Ranch;
anticipated revenues from full development of our Sky Ranch property;
the impact of the downturn in the homebuilding and credit markets on our business and financial condition;
the sufficiency of our working capital and financing sources to fund our operations;
estimated supply capacity of our water assets;
need for additional production capacity;
use of raw and reclaimed water for outdoor irrigation;
costs and plans for treatment of water and wastewater;
plans to use effluent water for agricultural and irrigation uses;
participation in regional water projects, including “WISE” and the timing and availability of water from
WISE;
our ability to assist Colorado “Front Range” water providers in meeting current and future water needs;
timing of and interpretation of Land Board royalties;
the number of new water connections needed to recover the costs of our water supplies;
the adequacy of the provisions in the “Lease” for the Lowry Range to cover present and future
circumstances;
plans for office space;
factors that may impact labor and material costs;
loss of key employees and hiring additional personnel for our operations;
anticipated timing and amount of, and sources of funding for (i) capital expenditures to construct
infrastructure and increase production capacities, (ii) compliance with water, environmental and other
regulations, and (iii) operations including delivery and treatment of water and wastewater;
the ability of our deep water well enhancement tool and process to increase efficiency of wells and our
plans to market that product to area water providers;
our ability to reduce the amount of up-front construction costs for water and wastewater systems;
ability to generate working capital and market our water assets;
1
plans to sell certain farms and recover the costs associated with acquiring those farms;
service life of constructed facilities;
use of third parties to construct facilities required to extend water and wastewater services;
payment of amounts due from Rangeview Metropolitan District and Sky Ranch Metropolitan District #5;
estimated property taxes;
utilization of net operating losses;
capital expenditures for investing in expenses and assets of the District;
the impact of water quality, solid waste disposal and environmental regulations on our financial condition
and results of operations;
environmental clean-up at the Lowry Range by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers;
our ability to comply with permit requirements and environmental regulations and the cost of such
compliance;
our ability to meet customer demands in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way;
the recoverability of construction and acquisition costs from rates;
our belief that we are not a public utility under Colorado law;
our belief that we are not an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended;
impairments in carrying amounts of long-lived assets;
changes in unrecognized tax positions;
plans to retain earnings and not pay dividends;
forfeitures of option grants, vesting of non-vested options and the fair value of option awards;
the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures and our internal controls over financial
reporting;
accounting estimates and the impact of new accounting pronouncements;
future fluctuations in the price and trading volume of our common stock; and
timing of the filing of our proxy statement.
Forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks,
uncertainties and assumptions. We cannot assure you that any of our expectations will be realized. Our actual results
could differ materially from those in such statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ from those
contemplated by such forward-looking statements include, without limitation:
the timing of new home construction and other development in the areas where we may sell our water,
which in turn may be impacted by credit availability;
population growth;
employment rates;
timing of oil and gas development in the areas where we sell our water;
general economic conditions;
the market price of water;
the market price of oil and gas;
changes in customer consumption patterns;
changes in applicable statutory and regulatory requirements;
changes in governmental policies and procedures;
changes in interest rates;
uncertainties in the estimation of water available under decrees;
uncertainties in the estimation of costs of delivery of water and treatment of wastewater;
uncertainties in the estimation of the service life of our systems;
uncertainties in the estimation of costs of construction projects;
the strength and financial resources of our competitors;
our ability to find and retain skilled personnel;
climatic and weather conditions, including floods, droughts and freezing conditions;
labor relations;
turnover of elected and appointed officials and delays caused by political concerns and government
procedures;
availability and cost of labor, material and equipment;
2
delays in anticipated permit and construction dates;
engineering and geological problems;
environmental risks and regulations;
our ability to raise capital;
our ability to negotiate contracts with new customers;
uncertainties in water court rulings; and
the factors described under “Risk Factors” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
We undertake no obligation, and disclaim any obligation, to publicly update or revise any forward-looking
statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. All forward-looking statements are
expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.
PART I
Item 1 – Business
Pure Cycle Corporation (“we,” “us” or “our”) is a Colorado corporation that provides wholesale water and
wastewater services. The wholesale water and wastewater services may include, but are not limited to, water
production, storage, treatment, bulk transmission to retail distribution systems, wastewater collection and treatment,
irrigation water treatment and transmission, construction management, billing and collection, and emergency
response. We provide these services to our wholesale customers, which are typically industrial customers and local
governmental entities that provide water and wastewater services to their end-use customers located in the greater
Denver, Colorado metropolitan area.
We are a vertically integrated water company, which means we own or control substantially all assets necessary to
provide wholesale water and wastewater services to our customers. This includes owning (i) water rights which we
use to provide domestic and irrigation water to our wholesale customers (we own surface water, groundwater,
reclaimed water rights and water storage rights), (ii) infrastructure (such as wells, diversion structures, pipelines,
reservoirs and treatment facilities) required to withdraw, treat, store and deliver water, (iii) infrastructure required to
collect, treat, store and reuse wastewater, and (iv) infrastructure required to treat and deliver reclaimed water for
irrigation use.
We currently provide wholesale water service predominantly to two local governmental entity customers. Our
largest customer is the Rangeview Metropolitan District (the “District”), a quasi-municipal political subdivision of
the State of Colorado which is described further below. We provide service to the District and its end-use customers
pursuant to the “Rangeview Water Agreements” (defined below) between us and the District for the provision of
wholesale water service to the District for use in the District’s service area. Through the District, we provide
wholesale service to 258 Single Family Equivalent (“SFE”) (defined below) water connections and 157 SFE
wastewater connections located in southeastern metropolitan Denver. In the past three years, we have been
providing untreated water to industrial customers in our service areas and adjacent to our service areas to the oil and
gas industry for the purpose of hydraulic fracturing. Oil and gas operators have leased more than 135,000 acres
within and adjacent to our service areas for the purpose of exploring oil and gas interests in the Niobrara and other
formations, and this activity in the past has led to increased water demands. As a result of decreased oil prices, oil
and gas operators have curtailed their drilling since 2014.
We plan to utilize our significant water assets along with our adjudicated reservoir sites, which are described in the
Our Water and Land Assets section below, to provide wholesale water and wastewater services to local
governmental entities. These local governmental entities will in turn provide residential and commercial water and
wastewater services to communities along the eastern slope of Colorado in the area extending essentially from Fort
Collins on the north to Colorado Springs on the south which is generally referred to as the “Front Range.”
Principally we are targeting the “I-70 corridor” which is located east of downtown Denver and south of Denver
International Airport along Interstate 70. This area is predominately undeveloped and is expected to experience
substantial growth over the next 30 years.
We also own 931 acres of land in the I-70 corridor known as Sky Ranch, which we are planning for development.
Sky Ranch is described in the Our Water and Land Assets section below.
Pure Cycle Corporation was incorporated in Delaware in 1976 and reincorporated in Colorado in 2008.
3
Glossary of terms
The following terms are commonly used in the water industry and are used throughout our annual report:
Acre Foot – approximately 326,000 gallons of water, or enough water to cover an acre of ground with one
foot of water. For some instances herein, as context dictates, the term acre feet is used to designate an
annual decreed amount of water available during a typical year.
Customer Facilities – facilities that carry potable water and reclaimed water to customers from the retail
water distribution system (see “Retail Facilities” below) and collect wastewater from customers and
transfer it to the retail wastewater collection system. Water and wastewater service lines, interior plumbing,
meters and other components are typical examples of Customer Facilities. In many cases, portions of the
Customer Facilities are constructed by the developer. Customer Facilities are typically owned and
maintained by the customer.
Non-Tributary Groundwater – underground water in an aquifer that is situated so it neither draws from nor
contributes to a natural surface stream in any measurable degree.
Not Non-Tributary Groundwater – statutorily defined as groundwater located within those portions of the
Dawson, Denver, Arapahoe, and Laramie-Fox hills aquifers that are outside of any designated groundwater
basin in existence on January 1, 1985.
Retail Facilities – facilities that distribute water to and collect wastewater from an individual subdivision or
community. Developers are typically responsible for the funding and construction of Retail Facilities. Once
we certify that the Retail Facilities have been constructed in accordance with our design criteria, the
developer dedicates the Retail Facilities to a quasi-municipal political subdivision of the state, and we
operate and maintain the facilities on behalf of such political subdivision.
Section – a parcel of land equal to one square mile and containing 640 acres.
Single Family Equivalent unit (“SFE”) – One SFE is a customer – whether residential, commercial or
industrial – that imparts a demand on our water or wastewater systems similar to the demand of a family of
four persons living in a single family house on a standard sized lot. One SFE is assumed to have a water
demand of approximately 0.4 acre feet per year and to contribute wastewater flows of approximately 300
gallons per day.
Special Facilities – facilities that are required to extend services to an individual development and are not
otherwise classified as a typical “Wholesale Facility” or “Retail Facility.” Temporary infrastructure
required prior to construction of permanent water and wastewater systems or transmission pipelines to
transfer water from one location to another are examples of Special Facilities. We typically design and
construct the Special Facilities using funds provided by the developer in addition to the normal rates, fees
and charges that we collect from our customers. We are typically responsible for the operation and
maintenance of the Special Facilities upon completion.
Tributary Groundwater – all water located in an aquifer that is hydrologically connected to a natural stream
such that depletion has an impact on the surface stream.
Tributary Surface Water – water on the surface of the ground flowing in a stream or river system.
Wholesale Facilities – facilities that serve an entire service area or major regions or portions thereof. Wells,
treatment plants, pump stations, tanks, reservoirs, transmission pipelines, and major sewage lift stations are
typical examples of Wholesale Facilities. We own, design, construct, operate, maintain and repair
Wholesale Facilities which are typically funded using rates, fees and charges that we collect from our
customers.
4
Our Water and Land Assets
This section should be read in conjunction with Item 1A – Risk Factors, Item 7 – Management’s Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Critical Accounting Policies and Use of Estimates, and
Note 4 – Water and Land Assets.
The $28.3 million of capitalized water costs on our balance sheet represents the costs of the water rights we own or
have the exclusive right to use and the related infrastructure developed to provide wholesale water and wastewater
services. Our water assets are as follows:
Table A - Water Assets
Groundwater (acre feet)
Water Source
Lowry (Rangeview Water Supply)
Export (1)
Non-Export (1)
Fairgrounds
Sky Ranch
Lowry (1)
WISE
11,650
12,035
321
828
24,834
Surface Water (acre feet)
3,300
500
3,800
28,634
Total (Groundwater and Surface Water)
(1) The combined Lowry water rights are 26,985.
We believe we can serve approximately 60,000 SFEs.
Our service areas and water and land assets are described in greater detail in the maps and discussion that follows:
5
The map below indicates the location of our Denver area assets.
6
Rangeview Water Supply and the Lowry Range
Our Rangeview Water – We own or control a total of approximately 3,300 acre feet of tributary surface water,
23,685 acre feet of non-tributary and not non-tributary groundwater rights, and approximately 26,000 acre feet of
adjudicated reservoir sites that we refer to as our “Rangeview Water Supply.” This water is located in the southeast
Denver metropolitan area at the “Lowry Range,” which is owned by the State Board of Land Commissioners (the
“Land Board”) and is described below.
We acquired our Rangeview Water Supply in April 1996 pursuant to the following agreements:
(i) The 1996 Amended and Restated Lease Agreement between the Land Board and the District which was
superseded by the 2014 Amended and Restated Lease Agreement, dated July 10, 2014 (the “Lease”),
among the Land Board, the District, and us;
(ii) The Agreement for Sale of non-tributary and not non-tributary groundwater which we can “export” from
the Lowry Range to supply water to nearby communities (this portion of the Rangeview Water Supply is
referred to as our “Export Water”) between us and the District (the “Export Agreement”); and
(iii) The 1996 Service Agreement between us and the District for the provision of water service to the District’s
customers, which was superseded by the Amended and Restated Service Agreement, dated July 11, 2014
(the “Service Agreement”), between us and the District.
Additionally, in 1997 we entered into a Wastewater Service Agreement (the “Wastewater Agreement”) with the
District to provide wastewater service to the District’s customers.
The Lease, the Export Agreement, the Service Agreement, and the Wastewater Agreement are collectively referred
to as the “Rangeview Water Agreements.”
Pursuant to the Rangeview Water Agreements, we design, construct, operate and maintain the District’s water and
wastewater systems to allow the District to provide water and wastewater service to its customers located within the
District’s 24,000 acre service area at the Lowry Range. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Lease, we are the
exclusive water and wastewater provider on the Lowry Range, and we operate both the water and the wastewater
systems during our contract period on behalf of the District, which owns the facilities for both systems. At the
expiration of our contract term in 2081, ownership of the water system facilities located on the Lowry Range used to
deliver Non-Export Water to customers will revert to the Land Board, with the District retaining ownership of the
wastewater facilities. Through facilities we own, we use our Export Water, and we intend to use other supplies
owned by us, to provide wholesale water service and wastewater service to customers located outside of the Lowry
Range, including customers of the District and other governmental entities and industrial and commercial customers.
Of the approximately 26,985 acre feet of water comprising our Rangeview Water Supply, we own 11,650 acre feet
of Export Water, which consists of 10,000 acre feet of groundwater and 1,650 acre feet of average yield surface
water, pending completion by the Land Board of documentation related to the exercise of our right to substitute
1,650 acre feet of our groundwater for a comparable amount of surface water. Additionally, assuming the
completion of the substitution of groundwater for surface water, we hold the exclusive right to develop and deliver
through the year 2081 the remaining 12,035 acre feet of groundwater and approximately 1,650 acre feet of average
yield surface water to customers either on or off of the Lowry Range.
The Lowry Range Property – The Lowry Range is located in unincorporated Arapahoe County, about 20 miles
southeast of downtown Denver. The Lowry Range is one of the largest contiguous parcels under single ownership
next to a major metropolitan area in the United States. The Lowry Range is approximately 27,000 acres in size or
about 40 square miles of land. Of the 27,000 acres, pursuant to our agreements with the Land Board and the District,
we have the exclusive rights to provide water and wastewater services to approximately 24,000 acres of the Lowry
Range.
Rangeview Metropolitan District – The District is a quasi-municipal corporation and political subdivision of
Colorado formed in 1986 for the purpose of providing water and wastewater service to the Lowry Range and other
approved areas. The District is governed by an elected board of directors. Eligible voters and persons eligible to
serve as directors of the District must own an interest in property within the boundaries of the District. We own
7
certain rights and real property interests which encompass the current boundaries of the District. The current
directors of the District are Mark W. Harding, Scott E. Lehman, and David A. Garin (all are employees of Pure
Cycle), and two independent board members. Pursuant to Colorado law, directors may receive $100 for each board
meeting they attend, up to a maximum of $1,600 per year. Mr. Harding, Mr. Lehman, and Mr. Garin have all elected
to forego these payments.
South Metropolitan Water Supply Authority (“SMWSA”) and Water Infrastructure Supply Efficiency
Partnership (“WISE”) – SMWSA is a municipal water authority in the State of Colorado organized to pursue the
acquisition and development of new water supplies on behalf of its members, including the District. SMWSA
members include 14 Denver area water providers in Arapahoe and Douglas Counties. The District became a member
of SMWSA in 2009 in an effort to participate with other area water providers in developing regional water supplies
along the Front Range. We entered into a Participation Agreement with the District on December 16, 2009, whereby
we agreed to provide funding to the District in connection with its membership in the SMWSA (the “SMWSA
Participation Agreement”). SMWSA members have been working with the City and County of Denver acting
through its Board of Water Commissioners (“Denver Water”) and the City of Aurora acting by and through its
Utility Enterprise (“Aurora Water”) on a cooperative water project known as the WISE, which seeks to develop
regional infrastructure that would interconnect members’ water transmission systems to be able to develop
additional water supplies from the South Platte River in conjunction with Denver Water and Aurora Water. In July
2013, the District together with nine other SMWSA members formed the South Metro WISE Authority (“SMWA”)
pursuant to the South Metro WISE Authority Formation and Organizational Intergovernmental Agreement (the “SM
IGA”) to enable its members to participate in WISE. The SM IGA specifies each member’s pro rata share of WISE
and the members’ rights and obligations with respect to WISE. On December 31, 2013, SMWA, Denver Water and
Aurora Water entered into the Amended and Restated WISE Partnership – Water Delivery Agreement (the “WISE
Partnership Agreement”), which provides for the purchase and construction of certain infrastructure (pipelines,
water storage facilities, water treatment facilities, and other appurtenant facilities) to deliver water to and among the
10 members of the SMWA, Denver Water and Aurora Water. We have entered into the Rangeview/Pure Cycle
WISE Project Financing Agreement with the District dated November 19, 2014 (effective as of December 22, 2014),
which obligates us to fund the District’s cost of participating in WISE (the “WISE Financing Agreement”). In
exchange for funding the District’s obligations in WISE, we will have the sole right to use and reuse the District’s
approximate 7% share of the WISE water and infrastructure to provide water service to the District’s customers and
to receive the revenue from such service. Upon completion of the WISE infrastructure in 2017, we will be entitled to
approximately three million gallons per day of transmission pipeline capacity and 500 acre feet per year of water. In
accordance with the WISE Financing Agreement and the SMWSA Participation Agreement, to date we have
provided approximately $2.9 million of financing to the District to fund its obligation to finance the purchase of
infrastructure for WISE, its obligations related to SMWSA, and the construction of a connection to the WISE
system. We anticipate that we will be spending the following over the next five fiscal years to fund the District’s
purchase of its share of the water transmission line and additional facilities, water and related assets for WISE and to
fund operations and water deliveries related to WISE:
Table B - Estimated WISE Costs
Operations
Water Delivery
Capital
Other
$
$
2017
96,600
45,000
464,000
43,500
649,100
$
$
$
For the Fiscal Years Ended August 31,
2020
96,600
675,000
1,339,200
23,600
2,134,400
2019
96,600
495,000
464,000
86,600
1,142,200
2018
96,600
225,000
339,000
23,600
684,200
$
$
$
$
2021
96,600
855,000
57,100
23,600
1,032,300
$
Land Board Royalties – Pursuant to the Rangeview Water Agreements, the Land Board is entitled to royalty
payments based on a percentage of revenues earned from water sales that utilize water from the Rangeview Water
Supply. The calculation of royalties depends on the water source and whether the customer is a public or private
entity. Royalties were modified in July 2014 pursuant to the terms of the Lease. The Land Board does not receive a
royalty from wastewater services.
Water Customers – When we develop, operate and deliver water service, payments from customers
generate royalties to the Land Board at a rate of 12% of gross revenues from private customers and 10%
8
from public entity customers. In the event that either (i) metered production of water used on the Lowry
Range in any calendar year exceeds 13,000 acre feet or (ii) 10,000 surface acres on the Lowry Range have
been rezoned to non-agricultural use, finally platted and water tap agreements have been entered into with
respect to all improvements to be constructed on such acreage, the Land Board may elect, at its option, to
receive, in lieu of its royalty of 10% or 12% of gross revenues (depending on whether the customer is
public or private), 50% of the collective net profits (ours and the District’s) derived from the sale or other
disposition of water on the Lowry Range. To date neither of these conditions has been met, and such
conditions are not likely to be met any time soon. In addition to royalties on the sale of metered water
deliveries, the Land Board will receive a royalty on the sale of water taps at the rate of two percent, except
for the sale of any taps to Sky Ranch, of the gross amount received from the sale of a water tap.
Sale of Water Rights – In the event we sell our Export Water right outright rather than developing and
delivering water service, royalties to the Land Board escalate based on the amount of gross revenue we
receive and are lower for sales to a water district or similar municipal or public entity than for sales to a
private entity as noted in Table C.
Table C- Royalties for Sale of Export Water Rights
Gross Revenues
$0 - $45,000,000
$45,000,001 - $60,000,000
$60,000,001 – $75,000,000
$75,000,001 - $90,000,000
Over $90,000,000
Royalty Rate
Private
Entity
12%
24%
36%
48%
50%
Public
Entity
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
We are also required to pay the Land Board a minimum annual water production fee, which is currently under
negotiation, but we have estimated the minimum fee to be approximately $45,600 per year, which is to be credited
against future royalties.
East Cherry Creek Valley System – Pursuant to a 1982 contractual right, the District may purchase water produced
from East Cherry Creek Valley Water and Sanitation District’s (“ECCV”) Land Board system. ECCV’s Land Board
system is comprised of eight wells and more than 10 miles of buried water pipeline located on the Lowry Range. In
May 2012, in order to increase the delivery capacity and reliability of these wells, in our capacity as the District’s
service provider and the Export Water Contractor (as defined in the Lease among us, the District and the Land
Board), we entered into an agreement to operate and maintain the ECCV facilities allowing us to utilize the system
to provide water to commercial and industrial customers, including customers providing water for drilling and
hydraulic fracturing of oil and gas wells. Our costs associated with the use of the ECCV system are a flat monthly
fee of $8,000 per month from January 1, 2013 through December 31, 2020, and will decrease to $3,000 per month
from January 1, 2021 through April 2032. Additionally, we pay a fee per 1,000 gallons of water produced from
ECCV’s system, which is included in the water usage fees charged to customers.
Hydraulic Fracturing – Water revenues from sales of water for the development of well sites and for drilling and
fracking wells drilled into the Niobrara Formation were approximately $600 and $782,700 during the fiscal years
ended August 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. With a large percentage of the acreage surrounding the Lowry Range
in Arapahoe, Adams, Elbert, and portions of Douglas Counties already leased by major oil companies, we anticipate
providing additional water for drilling and hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”) of oil and gas wells in the future.
Through March 2015, we sold untreated water directly to ConocoPhillips Company (“ConocoPhillips”), the largest
oil and gas lease holder operating in the area, and indirectly to ConocoPhillips through Select Energy Services, LLC
(“Select”). As a result of low oil prices, drilling in our service has been curtailed and sales have been limited during
the current fiscal year.
9
Arapahoe County Fairgrounds Agreement for Water Service
In 2005, we entered into an Agreement for Water Service (the “County
Agreement”) with Arapahoe County to design, construct, operate and maintain a
water system for, and provide water services to, the county for use at the Arapahoe
County fairgrounds (the “Fairgrounds”), which are located west of the Lowry
Range. Pursuant to the County Agreement, we purchased 321 acre feet of water
from the county in 2008. Further details of the arrangements with the county are
described in Note 4 – Water and Land Assets to the accompanying financial
statements.
Pursuant to the County Agreement, we constructed and own a deep water well, a
500,000-gallon water tank and pipelines to transport water to the Fairgrounds. The
construction of these items was completed in our fiscal 2006, and we began
providing water service to the county in 2006.
Sky Ranch
In 2010, we purchased approximately 931 acres of undeveloped land located in unincorporated Arapahoe County
known as Sky Ranch. Sky Ranch is located directly adjacent to I-70, 16 miles east of downtown Denver, four miles
north of the Lowry Range, and four miles south of Denver International Airport.
The property includes rights to approximately 830 acre feet of water and approximately 640 acres of oil and gas
mineral rights and has been zoned for residential, commercial and retail uses that may include up to 4,850 SFEs. Sky
Ranch is zoned for 4,400 homes and 1.35 million square feet of commercial and retail property. There is currently
no development at Sky Ranch. We currently lease the land to an area farmer and have leased the minerals to
ConocoPhillips. We envision that when development at Sky Ranch begins, the development will be in the form of
entry-level housing (houses costing in the $300,000 range).
We are currently working on plans to develop the first phase of Sky Ranch which will include 151 acres. The plan
for the first phase of the development will include 502 units but, depending on lot size and configuration, may be
increased to 525 units.
10
We plan to provide wholesale and wastewater services to one or more Sky Ranch metropolitan districts (the “Sky
Ranch District”) that will in turn provide retail water and wastewater services to the Sky Ranch District residents
and businesses. We anticipate we will need to construct infrastructure such as roads, curbs and gutters, and the
necessary water and wastewater systems; however, we are in discussions with a number of developers and builders
to determine how this infrastructure will be phased and financed. Our plan is to provide the market with
competitively priced lots that are ready for development, together with affordable, sustainable, environmentally
sound water and wastewater services. We currently anticipate development will begin in the second half of calendar
2017 subject to us obtaining the necessary approvals and the timing of the final design. We anticipate the
development of the first phase to occur over a number of sub-phases with multiple builders, and we are targeting
approximately 100 lots per year being developed. At full development, the water and wastewater utilities at Sky
Ranch are anticipated to generate in excess of $145 million in tap fee revenue and approximately $7.5 million
annually in wholesale water and wastewater service fee revenue (based on current fees and charges).
Oil and Gas Lease – On March 10, 2011, we entered into a Paid-Up Oil and Gas
Lease (the “O&G Lease”) and Surface Use and Damage Agreement (the
“Surface Use Agreement”) with Anadarko E&P Company, L.P. (“Anadarko”), a
wholly owned subsidiary of Anadarko Petroleum Company. The O&G Lease
seeks to capitalize on the growing interest in the region’s Niobrara Oil
Formation. Pursuant to the O&G Lease, we received an up-front payment of
$1,900 per net mineral leased acre, or $1,243,400, and 20% of gross proceeds
royalty (less certain taxes) from the sale of any oil and gas produced from our
property. In December 2012, the O&G Lease was purchased by a wholly owned
subsidiary of ConocoPhillips. The O&G Lease had a term of three (3) years
commencing on March 10, 2011. The lease was extended for an additional two
(2) years, and we received an additional up-front payment of $1,243,400 for the
extension. The O&G Lease is now held by production entitling us to royalties
11
instead of renewal payments. Pursuant to the Surface Use Agreement, ConocoPhillips may drill on up to three well
pad sites on the Sky Ranch property covered under the O&G Lease. Additionally, we will receive $3,000 per acre
for land that is permanently disturbed for use in the exploration and production of oil and gas. During fiscal 2015,
two wells were drilled within our mineral interest. Beginning in March 2015, both wells were placed into service
and began producing oil and gas and accruing royalties to us. In May 2015, certain gas collection infrastructure was
extended to the property to allow the collection of gas from the wells and accrual of royalties attributable to gas
production. During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2016, we received $343,600 in royalties attributable to these
two wells.
In the past, we experienced water demands for hydraulic fracturing of oil and gas wells being developed in the
Niobrara Formation around our Sky Ranch property and the Land Board’s Lowry Range property. These demands
have been curtailed by the decline in oil prices. The wells developed in the Niobrara Formation that we have served
were utilizing between seven and 12 million gallons of water to drill and frack, which equates to selling water to
between approximately 53 and 92 SFEs for an entire year.
Arkansas River Land
During the fiscal quarter ended November 30, 2015, we purchased three farms totaling 700 acres for approximately
$450,300. The farms were acquired in order to correct dry-up covenant issues related to water only farms in order
obtain the release of the escrow funds related to the Company’s farm sale to Arkansas River Farms, LLC. We intend
to sell the farms within the next fiscal year. We also own approximately 13,900 acres of mineral interests in the
Arkansas River Valley, which have an estimated value of approximately $1.4 million. We currently have no plans to
sell our mineral interests.
Well Enhancement and Recovery Systems
In January 2007, we, along with two other parties, formed Well Enhancement and Recovery Systems LLC (“Well
Enhancement LLC”), to develop a new deep water well enhancement tool and process that we believe will increase
the efficiency of wells completed into the Denver Basin groundwater formations. In fiscal 2008, the well
enhancement tool and process was completed and tested on two deep water wells developed by an area water
provider with favorable results. According to results from studies performed by an independent hydro-geologist, the
well enhancement tool effectively increased the production of the two test wells by 80% and 83% when compared to
that of nearby wells developed in similar formations at similar depths. Based on the positive results of the test wells,
we continue to refine the process of enhancing deep water wells and are marketing the tool to area water providers.
On April 27, 2010, we and the other remaining owner of Well Enhancement LLC acquired the third partner’s one-
third interest in Well Enhancement LLC. Following the acquisition, the remaining partners each hold a 50% interest
in Well Enhancement LLC. We used our tool on one well during fiscal 2014. We did not use our tool during either
fiscal 2015 or fiscal 2016.
Revenues
We generate revenues through our wholesale water and wastewater segment predominately from three sources: (i)
monthly service and contract delivery fees, (ii) one-time water and wastewater tap fees and construction fees, and
(iii) consulting fees. Our revenue sources and how we account for them are described in greater detail below. We
typically negotiate the payment terms for tap fees, construction fees, and other water and wastewater service fees
with our wholesale customers as a component of our service agreements prior to construction of the project.
However, with respect to customers on the Lowry Range, pursuant to the Lease, the District’s rates and charges to
such end-use customers may not exceed the average of similar rates and charges of three nearby water providers.
i) Monthly Service Fees – Monthly wholesale water usage fees are assessed to our customers based on actual
metered deliveries to their end-use customers each month. Water usage fees are based on a tiered pricing
structure that provides for higher prices as customers use greater amounts of water. The water usage fees
for end-use customers on the Lowry Range are noted below in Table D:
12
Table D - Tiered Water Usage Pricing Structure
Amount of consumption
Base charge per SFE
0 gallons to 10,000 gallons
10,001 gallons to 20,000 gallons
20,001 gallons to 40,000 gallons
40,001 gallons and above
Price ($ per thousand gallons)
2015
30.35
3.51
5.31
8.12
9.55
2014
30.35
3.51
5.31
8.12
9.55
2016
30.35
3.51
5.31
8.12
9.55
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
The figures in Table D reflect the amounts charged to the District’s end-use customers. In exchange for
providing water service to the District’s Lowry Range customers, we receive 98% of the usage charges
received by the District relating to water services after deducting the required royalty to the Land Board
(described above at Rangeview Water Supply and Lowry Range – Land Board Royalties). In exchange for
providing wastewater services, we receive 90% of the District’s monthly wastewater service fees, as well as
the right to use or sell the reclaimed water.
The District’s 2016 rates and charges for wastewater service are based on a monthly fee of $10.05 per SFE
plus a $7.40 per thousand gallons treated usage fee.
In addition to the tiered water usage pricing structure, we currently charge a hydrant rate of $10.50 per
thousand gallons for commercial and industrial customers. We also collect other immaterial fees and
charges from customers and other users to cover miscellaneous administrative and service expenses, such
as application fees, review fees and permit fees.
ii) Water and Wastewater Tap Fees and Construction Fees – Tap fees are typically paid by developers in
advance of construction activities and are non-refundable. Tap fees are typically used to fund construction
of the Wholesale Facilities and defray the acquisition costs of obtaining water rights.
The District’s 2016 water tap fees are $24,620, and its wastewater tap fees are $4,988.
In exchange for providing water service to the District’s customers on the Lowry Range, we receive 100%
of the District’s tap fees after deducting the required two percent royalty to the Land Board described
above. In exchange for providing wastewater services, we receive 100% of the District’s wastewater tap
fees.
Construction fees are fees we receive, typically in advance, from developers for us to build certain
infrastructure such as Special Facilities which are normally the responsibility of the developer.
iii) Consulting Fees – Consulting fees are fees we receive, typically on a monthly basis, from municipalities
and area water providers along the I-70 corridor, for systems with respect to which we provide contract
operations services.
Significant Customers
Our wholesale water and wastewater sales to the District pursuant to the Rangeview Water Agreements accounted
for 67%, 19% and 9% of our total water revenues for the fiscal years ended August 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014,
respectively. The District has one significant customer, the Ridgeview Youth Services Center (“Ridgeview”).
Pursuant to our Rangeview Water Agreements with the District, we are providing water to Ridgeview on behalf of
the District. Ridgeview accounted for 55%, 16% and 7% of our total water revenues for the fiscal years ended
August 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
Our industrial water sales directly and indirectly to ConocoPhillips accounted for approximately less than 1%, 75%
and 88% of our total water revenues for the fiscal years ended August 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
13
Our Projected Operations
This section should be read in conjunction with Item 1A – Risk Factors.
Along the Colorado Front Range, there are over 70 water providers with varying needs for replacement and new
water supplies. We believe we are well positioned to assist certain of these providers in meeting their current and
future water needs.
We design, construct and operate our water and wastewater facilities using advanced water purification and
wastewater treatment technologies which allow us to use our water supplies in an efficient and environmentally
sustainable manner. We plan to develop our water and wastewater systems in stages to efficiently meet demands in
our service areas, thereby reducing the amount of up-front capital costs required for construction of facilities. We
use third-party contractors to construct our facilities as needed. We employ licensed water and wastewater operators
to operate our water and wastewater systems. As our systems expand, we expect to hire additional personnel to
operate our systems, which include water production, treatment, testing, storage, distribution, metering, billing, and
operations management.
Our water and wastewater systems conjunctively use surface and groundwater supplies and storage of raw water and
highly treated effluent supplies to provide a balanced sustainable water supply for our wholesale customers and their
end-use customers. Integrating conservation practices and incentives together with effective water reuse
demonstrates our commitment to providing environmentally responsible, sustainable water and wastewater services.
Water supplies and water storage reservoirs are competitively sought throughout the west and along the Front Range
of Colorado. We believe regional cooperation among area water providers in developing new water supplies, water
storage, and transmission and distribution systems provides the most cost effective way of expanding and enhancing
service capacities for area water providers. We continue to discuss developing water supplies and water storage
opportunities with area water providers.
We expect the development of our Rangeview Water Supply to require a significant number of high capacity deep
water wells. We anticipate drilling separate wells into each of the three principal aquifers located beneath the Lowry
Range. Each well is intended to deliver water to central water treatment facilities for treatment prior to delivery to
customers. Development of our Lowry Range surface water supplies will require facilities to divert surface water to
storage reservoirs to be located on the Lowry Range and treatment facilities to treat the water prior to introduction
into our distribution systems. Surface water diversion facilities will be designed with capacities to divert the surface
water when available (particularly during seasonal events such as spring run-off and summer storms) for storage in
reservoirs to be constructed on the Lowry Range. Based on preliminary engineering estimates, the full build-out of
water facilities (including diversion structures, transmission pipelines, reservoirs, and water treatment facilities) on
the Lowry Range will cost in excess of $340 million, based on estimated costs, and will accommodate water service
to customers located on and outside the Lowry Range. We expect this build out to occur in phases over an extended
period of time, and we expect that tap fees will be sufficient to fund the infrastructure costs.
Our Denver-based supplies are a valuable, locally available resource located near the point of use. This enables us to
incrementally develop infrastructure to produce, treat and deliver water to customers based on their growing
demands.
During fiscal 2016, we, along with the District, invested approximately $368,600 to construct an effluent storage
pond on the Lowry Range. We anticipate during fiscal 2017 that we will invest between $4.5 million to $5 million to
construct pipelines that will interconnect the Rangeview, WISE, and Sky Ranch water systems. We also anticipate
investing in pipelines at the Sky Ranch property in anticipation of the development of the first phase of the property.
We also expect to add additional wells as demand grows.
The District is a participant in the WISE project. This project is developing infrastructure to interconnect providers’
water systems and to extend renewable water sources owned by Denver Water and Aurora Water to participating
South Metro water providers, including the District and, through our agreements with the District, us. This system
will diversify our sources of water and will enable providers to move water among themselves, which will increase
the reliability of our and others’ water systems. Through the WISE Financing Agreement, we funded the District’s
purchase of certain rights to use existing water transmission and related infrastructure acquired and constructed by
14
the WISE project. We invested approximately $113,600 in the WISE system during fiscal 2016 and have invested
approximately $2.9 million to date. We anticipate that we will be spending approximately $650,000 on this system
during fiscal 2017 and $5 million during the next four years to fund the District’s purchase of its share of the water
transmission line and additional facilities, water and related assets for WISE and to fund operations and water
deliveries related to WISE. Timing of the investment will vary depending on the schedule of projects within WISE.
We are in the process of planning development of our Sky Ranch property, including evaluating possible joint
venture opportunities pursuant to which we would build the water and wastewater infrastructure for housing and
commercial development of the property. We currently anticipate the first phase of development will begin in the
second half of calendar 2017, subject to obtaining approvals and the timing of the final design. The timing for us to
develop the remaining phases of the property will be largely dependent on the Denver real estate market and the
interest we receive from home builders and developers. During fiscal 2016 we invested approximately $285,600 in
our Sky Ranch property, which consisted of development planning, preliminary design, and related filing fees.
We plan to develop additional water assets within the Denver area and are exploring opportunities to utilize our
water assets in areas adjacent to our existing water supplies.
Water and Growth in Colorado
After experiencing a weak economy through 2012, much like that of the U.S. as a whole, Colorado began recovering
during 2013 and 2014 and continued to improve during 2015 and 2016. The key drivers in our business model are:
Housing Starts – From September 2015 to September 2016, annual housing starts increased by 24%. From
September 2014 to September 2015, annual housing starts increased by 18%.
Unemployment – The unemployment rate in Colorado was 3.8% at August 31, 2016, compared to a
national unemployment rate of 4.9%. Colorado added an estimated 71,600 jobs from August 2015 to
August 2016.
Population – The Denver Regional Council of Governments (“DRCOG”), a voluntary association of over
50 county and municipal governments in the Denver metropolitan area, estimates that the Denver
metropolitan area population will increase by about 38% from today’s 3.4 million people to 4.7 million
people by the year 2040. A Statewide Water Supply Initiative report by the Colorado Water Conservation
Board estimates that the South Platte River basin, which includes the Denver metropolitan region, will
grow from a current population of 3.9 million to 4.9 million by the year 2030, while the state’s population
will increase from 5.7 million to 7.2 million.
Demand – Approximately 70% of the state’s projected population increase is anticipated to occur within
the South Platte River basin. Significant increases in Colorado’s population, particularly in the Denver
metro region and other areas in the water-short South Platte River basin, together with increasing
agricultural, recreational, and environmental water demands, will intensify competition for water supplies.
The estimated population increases are expected to result in demands for water services in excess of the
current capabilities of municipal service providers, especially during drought conditions.
Supply – The Statewide Water Supply Initiative estimates that population growth in the Denver region and
the South Platte River basin could result in additional water supply demands of over 400,000 acre feet by
the year 2030.
Development – Colorado law requires property developers to demonstrate that they have sufficient water
supplies for their proposed projects before rezoning applications will be considered. These factors indicate
that water and availability of water will continue to be critical to growth prospects for the region and the
state, and that competition for available sources of water will continue to intensify. We focus the marketing
of our water supplies and services to developers and home builders that are active along the Colorado Front
Range as well as other area water providers in need of additional supplies.
Colorado’s future water supply needs will be met through conservation, reuse and the development of new supplies.
The District’s rules and regulations for water and wastewater service call for adherence to strict conservation
measures, including low-flow water fixtures, high efficiency appliances, and advanced irrigation control devices.
Additionally, our systems are designed and constructed using a dual-pipe water distribution system to segregate the
delivery of high quality potable drinking water to our local governmental entities and their end-use customers
through one system and a second system to supply raw or reclaimed water for irrigation demands. About one-half of
15
the water used by a typical Denver-area residential water customer is used for outdoor landscape and lawn irrigation.
We believe that raw or reclaimed water supplies provide the lowest cost, most environmentally sustainable water for
outdoor irrigation. We expect our systems to include an extensive water reclamation system in which essentially all
effluent water from wastewater treatment plants will be reused to meet non-potable water demands. Our dual-
distribution systems demonstrate our commitment to environmentally responsible water management policies in our
water short region.
Competition
We negotiate individual service agreements with our governmental customers and with their developers and/or
home builders to design, construct and operate water and wastewater systems and to provide services to end-use
customers of governmental entities and to commercial and industrial customers. These service agreements seek to
address all aspects of the development of the water and wastewater systems including:
(i)
the purchase of water and wastewater taps in exchange for our obligation to construct certain Wholesale
Facilities;
(ii) the establishment of payment terms, timing, capacity and location of Special Facilities (if any); and
(iii) specific terms related to our provision of ongoing water and wastewater services to our local governmental
customers as well as the governmental entity’s end-use customers.
Although we have exclusive long-term water and wastewater service contracts for 24,000 acres of the 27,000-acre
Lowry Range pursuant to the Service Agreement, providing water and wastewater services to areas other than Sky
Ranch and the majority of the Lowry Range is subject to competition. Alternate sources of water are available,
principally from other private parties, such as farmers or others owning water rights that have historically been used
for agriculture, and from municipalities seeking to annex new development areas in order to increase their tax base.
Our principal competition in areas close to the Lowry Range is the City of Aurora. Principal factors affecting
competition for potential purchasers of our Export Water include the availability of water for the particular purpose,
the cost of delivering the water to the desired location (including the cost of required taps), and the reliability of the
water supply during drought periods. We estimate that the water assets we own and have the exclusive right to use
have a supply capacity of approximately 57,800 SFE units, and we believe they provide us with a significant
competitive advantage along the Front Range. Our legal rights to the Rangeview Water Supply have been confirmed
for municipal use, and our water supply is close to Denver area water users. We believe our pricing structure is
competitive and our water portfolio is well balanced with senior surface water rights, groundwater rights, storage
capacity and reclaimed water supplies.
Environmental, Health and Safety Regulation
Provision of water and wastewater services is subject to regulation under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act, the
Clean Water Act, related state laws, and federal and state regulations issued under these laws. These laws and
regulations establish criteria and standards for drinking water and for wastewater discharges. In addition, we are
subject to federal and state laws and other regulations relating to solid waste disposal and certain other aspects of our
operations.
Environmental compliance issues may arise in the normal course of operations or as a result of regulatory changes.
We attempt to align capital budgeting and expenditures to address these issues in a timely manner.
Safe Drinking Water Act – The Safe Drinking Water Act establishes criteria and procedures for the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (the “EPA”) to develop national quality standards for drinking water. Regulations
issued pursuant to the Safe Drinking Water Act and its amendments set standards on the amount of certain microbial
and chemical contaminants and radionuclides allowable in drinking water. The State of Colorado has assumed
primary responsibility for enforcing the standards established by the Safe Drinking Water Act and has adopted the
Colorado Primary Drinking Water Standards (5 CCR 1003-1). Current requirements for drinking water are not
expected to have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations as we have made and are
making investments to meet existing water quality standards. In the future, we might be required to change our
16
method of treating drinking water and make additional capital investments if additional regulations become
effective.
The federal Groundwater Rule became effective December 1, 2009. This rule requires additional testing of water
from well sources and under certain circumstances requires demonstration and maintenance of effective disinfection.
In 2009, Colorado adopted Article 13 to the Colorado Primary Drinking Water Standards to establish monitoring
and compliance criteria for the Groundwater Rule. We have implemented measures to comply with the Groundwater
Rule.
Clean Water Act – The Clean Water Act regulates wastewater discharges from drinking water and wastewater
treatment facilities and storm water discharges into lakes, rivers, streams, and wetlands. The State of Colorado has
assumed primary responsibility for enforcing the standards established by the federal Clean Water Act for
wastewater discharges from domestic water and wastewater treatment facilities and has adopted the Colorado Water
Quality Control Act and related regulations, which also regulate discharges to groundwater. It is our policy to obtain
and maintain all required permits and approvals for discharges from our water and wastewater facilities and to
comply with all conditions of those permits and other regulatory requirements. A program is in place to monitor
facilities for compliance with permitting, monitoring and reporting for wastewater discharges. From time to time,
discharge violations might occur which might result in fines and penalties, but we have no reason to believe that any
such fines or penalties are pending or will be assessed.
In the future, we anticipate changing our method of treating wastewater, which will require future additional capital
investments, as additional regulations become effective. During fiscal year 2016, we invested $368,600 to design,
permit and construct a 13 million gallon effluent storage reservoir at our wastewater treatment facility and have
converted our facility to a zero discharge treatment facility. We are storing the treated effluent water and expect to
use the water for agricultural and irrigation uses.
Solid Waste Disposal – The handling and disposal of residuals and solid waste generated from water and wastewater
treatment facilities is governed by federal and state laws and regulations. We have a program in place to monitor our
facilities for compliance with regulatory requirements, and we do not anticipate that costs associated with our
handling and disposal of waste material from our water and wastewater operations will have a material impact on
our business or financial condition.
Employees
We currently have six full-time employees.
Available Information and Website Address
Our website address is www.purecyclewater.com. We make available free of charge through our website our annual
reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and all amendments to these
reports as soon as reasonably practicable after filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).
These reports and all other material we file with the SEC may be obtained directly from the SEC’s website,
www.sec.gov/edgar/searchedgar/companysearch.html, under CIK code 276720. The contents of our website are not
incorporated by reference into this report. You may also read and copy any materials we file with the SEC at the
SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. Operating information for the Public
Reference Room is available by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.
Item 1A – Risk Factors
The following section describes the material risks and uncertainties that management believes could have a material
adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and the market price of our common stock.
The risks discussed below include forward-looking statements, and our actual results may differ materially from
those discussed in these forward-looking statements. These risks should be read in conjunction with the other
information set forth in this report, including the accompanying financial statements and notes thereto.
Our net losses may continue and we may not have sufficient cash flows from operations or other capital
resources to pursue our business objectives. We have experienced significant net losses, our cash flows from
17
operations have not been sufficient to fund our operations in the past and we have been required to raise debt and
equity capital and sell assets to remain in operation. Since 2004, we have obtained $76.2 million through (i) the
issuance of $25.2 million of common stock (includes the issuance of stock pursuant to the exercise of options, net of
expenses), (ii) the issuance of $5.2 million of Convertible Debt, which was converted to common stock on January
11, 2011, and (iii) the sale of our Arkansas River water and land for approximately $45.8 million in cash. Our ability
to fund our operational needs and meet our business objectives will depend on our ability to generate cash from
future operations. We currently have a limited number of customers. If our future cash flows from operations and
other capital resources are not sufficient to fund our operations and the significant capital expenditure requirements
to build our water delivery systems, we may be forced to reduce or delay our business activities, or seek to obtain
additional debt or equity capital. Economic conditions and disruptions have previously caused substantial volatility
in capital markets, including credit markets and the banking industry, increasing the cost and significantly reducing
the availability of financing, which may reoccur in the future. There can be no assurance that financing will be
available on acceptable terms or at all.
The rates the District is allowed to charge customers on the Lowry Range are limited by the Lease with the Land
Board, and our contract with the District and may not be sufficient to cover our costs of construction and
operation. The prices charged by the District for water service on the Lowry Range are subject to pricing regulations
set forth in the Lease with the Land Board. Both the tap fees and usage rates and charges are capped at the average
of the rates of three nearby water providers. Annually the District surveys the tap fees and rates of the three nearby
providers, and the District may adjust tap fees and rates and charges for water service on the Lowry Range based on
the average of those charged by this group, and we receive 98% of whatever the District charges its customers. Our
costs associated with the construction of water delivery systems and the production, treatment and delivery of water
are subject to market conditions and other factors, which may increase at a significantly higher rate than that of the
fees we receive from the District. Factors beyond our control and which cannot be predicted, such as government
regulations, insurance and labor markets, drought, water contamination and severe weather conditions, like
tornadoes and floods, may result in additional labor and material costs that may not be recoverable under the current
rate structure. Either increased customer demand or increased water conservation may also impact the overall cost of
our operations. If the costs for construction and operation of our wholesale water services, including the cost of
extracting our groundwater, exceed our revenues, we would be providing service to the District for use at the Lowry
Range at a loss. The District may petition the Land Board for rate increases; however, there can be no assurance that
the Land Board would approve a rate increase request. Further, even if a rate increase were approved, it might not be
granted in a timely manner or in an amount sufficient to cover the expenses for which the rate increase was sought.
Our business is subject to seasonal fluctuations and weather conditions that could affect demand for our water
service and our revenues. We depend on an adequate water supply to meet the present and future demands of our
customers and their end-use customers and to continue our expansion efforts. Conditions beyond our control may
interfere with our water supply sources. Drought and overuse may limit the availability of water. These factors
might adversely affect our ability to supply water in sufficient quantities to our customers, and our revenues and
earnings may be adversely affected. Additionally, cool and wet weather, as well as drought restrictions and our
customers’ conservation efforts, may reduce consumption demands, adversely affecting our revenue and earnings.
Furthermore, freezing weather may contribute to water transmission interruptions caused by pipe and main
breakage. If we experience an interruption in our water supply, it could have a material adverse effect on our
financial condition and results of operations. Demand for our water during the warmer months is generally greater
than during cooler months due primarily to additional requirements for water in connection with cooling systems,
irrigation systems and other outside water use. Throughout the year, and particularly during typically warmer
months, demand will vary with temperature and rainfall levels. If temperatures during the typically warmer months
are cooler than expected or there is more rainfall than expected, the demand for our water may decrease and
adversely affect our revenues.
Sales to the fracking industry can fluctuate significantly. Our water sales have been historically highly
concentrated directly and indirectly with one company providing fracking services to the oil and gas industry on and
around the Lowry Range and our Sky Ranch property. Sales to this customer base as well as renewals of our oil and
gas leases, if any, in the future are impacted by regulations, fracking technologies, the success of the wells and the
price of oil and gas, among other things. Investment in oil and gas development is dependent on the price of oil and
gas and, recently, the price of oil has decreased significantly and has remained at relatively low levels. These water
18
sales essentially ceased in March 2015, and we have no contractual commitment that will ensure these sales will
resume in the future.
We are dependent on the housing market and development in our targeted service areas for future revenues.
Providing wholesale water service using our Colorado Front Range water supplies is our principal source of future
revenue. The timing and amount of these revenues will depend significantly on housing developments being built
near our water assets. The development of these areas is subject to many factors that are not within our control, and
there can be no assurance that development will occur or that water sales will occur on acceptable terms or in the
amounts or time required for us to support our costs of operation. In the event wholesale water sales are not
forthcoming or development on the Lowry Range, Sky Ranch or other developments in our targeted service areas is
delayed indefinitely, we may need to use our capital resources, incur additional short or long-term debt obligations
or seek to sell additional equity, and there are no assurances that we would have sufficient capital resources or be
successful in obtaining additional operating capital. After several years of significant declines in new home
construction, there have been positive market gains in the Colorado housing market since 2013. However, if the
downturn in the homebuilding and credit markets return or if the national economy weakens and economic concerns
intensify, it could have a significant negative impact on our business and financial condition.
Development on the Lowry Range is not within our control and is subject to obstacles. Development on the Lowry
Range is controlled by the Land Board, which is governed by a five-person citizen board of commissioners
representing education, agriculture, local government and natural resources, plus one at-large commissioner, each
appointed for a four-year term by the Colorado governor and approved by the Colorado Senate. The Land Board’s
focus with respect to issues such as development and conservation on the Lowry Range tends to change as
membership on the Land Board changes. In addition, there are often significant delays in the adoption and
implementation of plans with respect to property administered by the Land Board because the process involves
many constituencies with diverse interests. In the event water sales are not forthcoming or development of the
Lowry Range is delayed or abandoned, we may need to use our capital resources, incur additional short or long-term
debt obligations or seek to sell additional equity, and there are no assurances that we would have sufficient capital
resources or be successful in obtaining additional operating capital.
Because of the prior use of the Lowry Range as a military facility, environmental clean-up may be required prior to
development, including the removal of unexploded ordnance. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has been
conducting unexploded ordnance removal activities at the Lowry Range for more than 20 years. Continued activities
are dependent on federal appropriations, and the Army Corps of Engineers has no assurance from year to year of
such appropriations for its activities at the Lowry Range.
Our construction of water and wastewater projects may expose us to certain completion, performance and
financial risks. We expect to rely on independent contractors to construct our water and wastewater facilities. These
construction activities may involve risks, including shortages of materials and labor, work stoppages, labor relations
disputes, weather interference, engineering, environmental, permitting or geological problems and unanticipated cost
increases. These issues could give rise to delays, cost overruns or performance deficiencies, or otherwise adversely
affect the construction or operation of our water and wastewater delivery systems. In addition, we may experience
quality problems in the construction of our systems and facilities, including equipment failures. We cannot assure
you that we will not face claims from customers or others regarding product quality and installation of equipment
placed in service by contractors.
Certain of our contracts may be fixed-price contracts, in which we may bear all or a significant portion of the risk
for cost overruns. Under these fixed-price contracts, contract prices are established in part based on fixed, firm
subcontractor quotes on contracts and on cost and scheduling estimates. These estimates may be based on a number
of assumptions, including assumptions about prices and availability of labor, equipment and materials, and other
issues. If these subcontractor quotations or cost estimates prove inaccurate, or if circumstances change, cost
overruns may occur, and our financial results would be negatively impacted. In many cases, the incurrence of these
additional costs would not be within our control.
We may have contracts in which we guarantee project completion by a scheduled date. At times, we may guarantee
that the project, when completed, will achieve certain performance standards. If we fail to complete the project as
scheduled, or if we fail to meet guaranteed performance standards, we may be held responsible for cost impacts
19
and/or penalties to the customer resulting from any delay or for the costs to alter the project to achieve the
performance standards. To the extent that these events occur and are not due to circumstances for which the
customer accepts responsibility or cannot be mitigated by performance bonds or the provisions of our agreements
with contractors, the total costs of the project would exceed our original estimates and our financial results would be
negatively impacted.
Our customers may require us to secure performance and completion bonds for certain contracts and projects. The
market environment for surety companies has become more risk averse. We secure performance and completion
bonds for our contracts from these surety companies. To the extent we are unable to obtain bonds, we may not be
awarded new contracts. We cannot assure you that we can secure performance and completion bonds when required.
Design, construction or system failures could result in injury to third parties or damage to property. Any losses that
exceed claims against our contractors, the performance bonds and our insurance limits at such facilities could result
in claims against us. In addition, if there is a customer dispute regarding performance of our services, the customer
may decide to delay or withhold payment to us.
We have a limited number of employees and may not be able to manage the increasing demands of our
operations. We have a limited number of employees to administer our existing assets, interface with applicable
governmental bodies, market our services and plan for the construction and development of our future assets. We
may not be able to maximize the value of our water assets because of our limited manpower. We depend
significantly on the services of Mark W. Harding, our President and Chief Financial Officer. The loss of Mr.
Harding would cause a significant interruption of our operations. The success of our future business development
and ability to capitalize on growth opportunities depends on our ability to attract and retain additional experienced
and qualified persons to operate and manage our business. State regulations set the training, experience and
qualification standards required for our employees to operate specific water and wastewater facilities. Failure to find
state-certified and qualified employees to support the operation of our facilities could put us at risk for, among other
things, regulatory penalties (including fines and suspension of operations), operational errors at the facilities,
improper billing and collection processes, and loss of contracts and revenues. We cannot assure you that we can
successfully manage our assets and our growth.
A failure of the water wells or distribution networks that we own or control could result in losses and damages
that may affect our financial condition and reputation. We distribute water through a network of pipelines and
store water in storage tanks and a pond. A failure of these pipelines, tanks or the pond could result in injuries and
damage to property for which we may be responsible, in whole or in part. The failure of these pipelines, tanks, or
pond may also result in the need to shut down some facilities or parts of our water distribution network in order to
conduct repairs. Such failures and shutdowns may limit our ability to supply water in sufficient quantities to our
customers and to meet the water delivery requirements prescribed by our contracts, which could adversely affect our
financial condition, results of operations, cash flow, liquidity and reputation. Any business interruption or other
losses might not be covered by insurance policies or be recoverable through rates and charges, and such losses may
make it difficult for us to secure insurance in the future at acceptable rates.
Conflicts of interest may arise relating to the operation of the District and the Sky Ranch District. Our officers
and employees constitute 60% of the directors of the District as well as the Sky Ranch District. Pure Cycle, along
with our officers and employees and two unrelated individuals, own the 40 acres that constitute the District and the
acreage that constitutes the Sky Ranch Metropolitan District that will be the retail water and wastewater service
provider for the first phase of Sky Ranch. We have made loans to the District to fund its operations. At August 31,
2016, total principal and interest owed to us by the District was $628,500. Pursuant to our Service Agreement with
the District for the provision of water services, the District retains two percent of the revenues from the sale of water
to its end-use customers on the Lowry Range. Proceeds from the fee collections will initially be used to repay the
District’s obligations to us, but after these loans are repaid, the District is not required to use the funds to benefit
Pure Cycle. Similarly, we have made loans to and incurred expenses reimbursable by the Sky Ranch District. At
August 31, 2016, total principal and interest owed to us by the Sky Ranch District was $171,900. It is anticipated
that these amounts will be repaid once Sky Ranch has sold residential units and has customers to pay for services.
We have received benefits from our activities undertaken in conjunction with these districts, but conflicts may arise
between our interests and those of the districts and our officers and employees who are acting in dual capacities in
negotiating contracts to which both we and a district are parties. We expect that both districts will expand when
more properties are developed and become part of the respective districts, and our officers and employees acting as
20
directors of these districts will have fiduciary obligations to those other constituents. There can be no assurance that
all conflicts will be resolved in the best interests of the Company and our shareholders. In addition, other
landowners coming into a district will be eligible to vote and to serve as directors of that district. There can be no
assurances that our officers and employees will remain as directors of either District or that the actions of
subsequently elected boards would not have an adverse impact on our operations.
Our operations are affected by local politics and governmental procedures which are beyond our control. We
operate in a highly political environment. We market our water rights to municipalities and other governmental
entities run by elected or politically appointed officials. Our principal competitors are municipalities seeking to
expand their sales tax base and other water districts. Various constituencies, including our competitors, developers,
environmental groups, conservation groups, and agricultural interests, have competing agendas with respect to the
development of water rights in Colorado, which means that decisions affecting our business are based on many
factors other than economic and business considerations. Additional risks associated with dealing with governmental
entities include turnover of elected and appointed officials, changes in policies from election to election, and a lack
of institutional history in these entities concerning their prior courses of dealing with the Company. We spend
significant time and resources educating elected officials, local authorities and others regarding our water rights and
the benefits of contracting with us. Political concerns and governmental procedures and policies may hinder or delay
our ability to enter into service agreements or develop our water rights or infrastructure to deliver our water. While
we have worked to reduce the political risks in our business through our participation as the service provider for the
District in regional cooperative resource programs, such as the SMWSA and its WISE partnership with Denver
Water and Aurora Water, as well as education and communication efforts and community involvement, there can be
no assurance that our efforts will be successful.
Our Lowry Range Surface water rights are “conditional decrees” and require findings of reasonable diligence.
Our surface water interests and reservoir sites at the Lowry Range are conditionally decreed and are subject to a
finding of reasonable diligence from the Colorado water court every six years. To arrive at a finding of reasonable
diligence, the water court must determine that we continue to diligently pursue the development of said water rights.
If the water court is unable to make such a finding, we could lose the water right under review. During fiscal 2012,
the Lowry Range conditional decrees were granted their first review by the water court which determined that we
and the District met the diligence criteria. The water court entered a finding of reasonable diligence on the Lowry
Range surface water decrees on February 11, 2012. Our next diligence period will be in February 2018. If the water
court does not make a determination of reasonable diligence in 2018, it would materially adversely impact the value
of our interests in the Rangeview surface water supply.
Water quality standards are subject to regulatory change. We must provide water that meets all federal and state
regulatory water quality standards and operate our water and wastewater facilities in accordance with these
standards. Future changes in regulations governing the supply of drinking water and treatment of wastewater may
have a material adverse impact on our financial results. With respect to service of customers on the Lowry Range,
the District’s rates might not be sufficient to cover the cost of compliance with additional or more stringent
requirements. If the cost of compliance were to increase, we anticipate that the rates of the nearby water providers
that the District uses to establish its rates and charges would increase to reflect these cost increases, thereby allowing
the District to increase its rates and charges. However, there can be no assurance that these water providers would
raise their rates in an amount that would be sufficient to enable the District (and us) to cover any increased
compliance costs.
Contamination to our water supply may result in disruption in our services and litigation, which could adversely
affect our business, operating results and financial condition. Our water supplies are subject to the risk of
potential contamination, including contamination from naturally occurring compounds, pollution from man-made
sources and intentional sabotage. Our land at Sky Ranch and a portion of the Lowry Range have been leased for oil
and gas exploration and development. Such exploration and development could expose us to additional
contamination risks from related leaks or spills. In addition, we handle certain hazardous materials at our water
treatment facilities, primarily sodium hypochlorite. Any failure of our operation of the facilities or any
contamination of our supplies, including sewage spills, noncompliance with water quality standards, hazardous
materials leaks and spills, and similar events could expose us to environmental liabilities, claims and litigation costs.
If any of these events occur, we may have to interrupt the use of that water supply until we are able to substitute the
21
supply from another source or treat the contaminated supply. We cannot assure you that we will successfully
manage these issues, and failure to do so could have a material adverse effect on our future results of operations.
We may incur significant costs in order to treat the contaminated source through expansion of our current treatment
facilities or development of new treatment methods. If we are unable to substitute water supply from an
uncontaminated water source, or to adequately treat the contaminated water source in a cost-effective manner, there
may be an adverse effect on our revenues, operating results and financial condition. The costs we incur to
decontaminate a water source or an underground water system could be significant and could adversely affect our
business, operating results and financial condition and may not be recoverable in rates.
We could also be held liable for consequences arising out of human exposure to hazardous substances in our water
supplies or other environmental damage. For example, private plaintiffs could assert personal injury or other toxic
tort claims arising from the presence of hazardous substances in our drinking water supplies. Although we have not
been a party to any environmental or pollution-related lawsuits, such lawsuits have increased in frequency in recent
years. If we are subject to an environmental or pollution-related lawsuit, we might incur significant legal costs, and
it is uncertain whether we would be able to recover the legal costs from ratepayers or other third parties. Our
insurance policies may not cover or provide sufficient coverage for the costs of these claims.
Climate change laws and regulations may be adopted by federal and state environmental agencies that could
require additional capital expenditures and increase our operating costs. Climate change is receiving ever
increasing attention worldwide. Possible new climate change laws and regulations, if enacted, may require us to
monitor and/or change our operations. It is possible that new standards could be imposed that will require additional
capital expenditures or raise our operating costs. With respect to service of customers on the Lowry Range, the
District’s rates might not be sufficient to cover the cost of compliance with new requirements. Although we would
expect the rates of the nearby water providers that the District uses to establish its rates and charges to increase to
cover increased compliance costs, we cannot assure you that our costs of complying with new standards or laws will
not adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition.
We may be adversely affected by any future decision by the Colorado Public Utilities Commission to regulate us
as a public utility. The Colorado Public Utilities Commission (“CPUC”) regulates investor-owned water companies
operating for the purpose of supplying water to the public. The CPUC regulates many aspects of public utilities’
operations, including establishing water rates and fees, initiating inspections, enforcement and compliance activities
and assisting consumers with complaints. We do not believe we are a public utility under Colorado law. We
currently provide services by contract mainly to the District, which supplies the public. Quasi-municipal
metropolitan districts, such as the District and the Sky Ranch District, are exempt by statute from regulation by the
CPUC. However, the CPUC could attempt to regulate us as a public utility. If this were to occur, we might incur
significant expense challenging the CPUC’s assertion of jurisdiction, and we may be unsuccessful. In the future,
existing regulations may be revised or reinterpreted, and new laws and regulations may be adopted or become
applicable to us or our facilities. If we become regulated as a public utility, our ability to generate profits could be
limited, and we might incur significant costs associated with regulatory compliance.
The District’s and our rights under the Lease have been challenged by third parties. The District’s and our rights
under the Lease have been challenged by third parties, including the Land Board, in the past. In 2014, in connection
with settling a lawsuit filed by us and the District against the Land Board, the Land Board, the District and we
amended and restated the Lease to clarify and update a number of provisions. However, there are issues still subject
to negotiation and it is likely that during the remaining 65-year term of the Lease the parties will disagree over
interpretations of provisions in the Lease again. There can be no assurance that the District’s or our rights under the
Lease will not be challenged in the future, which could require potentially expensive litigation to enforce our rights.
We are subject to the risk of possibly being required to register as an investment company. On August 18, 2015,
we completed the sale of our Arkansas River properties and water rights for approximately $45.8 million in cash.
The net proceeds still remaining from that sale, which currently represents 42% of our total assets, are currently
invested in U.S. treasury notes and certificates of deposit, which may be regarded as “investment securities” under
the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”). Although our board of
directors believes that we are not engaged primarily in the business of investing, reinvesting, or trading in securities,
and we do not hold ourselves out as being primarily engaged in those activities, we could fall within the scope of
22
Section 3(a)(1)(C) of the Investment Company Act if the net proceeds from the sale of the Arkansas River water
properties and water rights and other cash and cash equivalents are invested in investment securities (as defined in
the Investment Company Act) and such investment securities represent more than 40% of our total assets (exclusive
of cash and certain cash equivalents). A company that falls within the scope of Section 3(a)(1)(C) of the Investment
Company Act can avoid being regulated as an investment company if it can rely on certain of the exclusions from
being deemed to be an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act. One such exclusion is Rule 3a-2
under the Investment Company Act, which provides that a company is deemed not to be an investment company
during a period of time not to exceed one year provided that the company has a bona fide intent to be engaged
primarily, as soon as is reasonably possible (in any event by the termination of such period of time), in a business
other than that of an investment company. If necessary, our board of directors would explore transactions pursuant
to which we would cease to be deemed to be an investment company, such as the disposition of our investment
securities, including through liquidation, or the acquisition of sufficient assets that are not investment securities in
order for us not to be deemed an investment company under the Investment Company Act. There can be no
assurance that we would be able to complete such actions by the applicable deadline, or at all. If we were required to
register as an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act, applicable restrictions could make it
impractical for us to continue our business as currently conducted and could have a material adverse effect on us.
Our stock price has been volatile in the past and may decline in the future. Our common stock has experienced
significant price and volume fluctuations in the past and may experience significant fluctuations in the future
depending upon a number of factors, some of which are beyond our control. Factors that could affect our stock price
and trading volume include, among others, the perceived prospects of our business; differences between anticipated
and actual operating results; changes in analysts’ recommendations or projections; the commencement and/or results
of litigation and other legal proceedings; and future sales of our common stock by us or by significant shareholders,
officers and directors. In addition, stock markets in general have experienced price and volume volatility from time
to time, which may adversely affect the market price of our common stock for reasons unrelated to our performance.
Item 1B – Unresolved Staff Comments
None.
Item 2 – Properties
Corporate Office – Effective January 2016, we entered into an operating lease for approximately 2,500 square feet
of office and warehouse space. The lease has a one-year term with payments of $3,000 per month. We plan to
extend our lease for office space after December 2016.
Water Related Assets – In addition to the water rights and adjudicated reservoir sites that are described in Item 1 –
Our Water and Land Assets, we also own a 500,000-gallon water tank, 400,000-barrel storage reservoir, a 300,000-
barrel storage reservoir, three deep water wells, a pump station, and several miles of water pipeline in Arapahoe
County, Colorado. Additionally, although owned by the District, we operate and maintain another 500,000-gallon
water tank, two deep water wells, a pump station, three alluvial wells, the District’s wastewater treatment plant, and
water distribution and wastewater collection pipelines that serve customers located at the Lowry Range. These assets
are used to provide service to our existing customers.
Land – We own approximately 931 acres of land known as Sky Ranch that is described further in Item 1 – Our
Water and Land Assets – Sky Ranch. We also own 40 acres of land that comprise the current boundaries of the
District.
Item 3 – Legal Proceedings
None.
Item 4 – Mine Safety Disclosures
None.
23
PART II
Item 5 – Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of
Equity Securities
Market Information
Our common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “PCYO.” The high and low sales
prices of our common stock, by quarter, for the fiscal years ended August 31, 2016 and 2015 are presented below:
Fiscal 2016 quarters ended:
Market price of common stock
High
Low
Fiscal 2015 quarters ended:
Market price of common stock
High
Low
Holders
Table E - Market Information
August 31
May 31
February 29 November 30
$
$
5.20
4.34
$
$
4.91
4.29
$
$
5.12
3.65
$
$
5.73
4.56
August 31
May 31
February 28 November 30
$
$
5.55
4.37
$
$
5.50
4.12
$
$
5.26
3.54
$
$
7.00
4.94
On October 20, 2016, there were 976 holders of record of our common stock.
Dividends
We have never paid any dividends on our common stock and expect for the foreseeable future to retain all of our
capital and earnings from operations, if any, for use in expanding and developing our business. Any future decision
as to the payment of dividends will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend upon our earnings,
financial position, capital requirements, plans for expansion and such other factors as our board of directors deems
relevant. The terms of our Series B Preferred Stock prohibit payment of dividends on common stock unless all
dividends accrued on the Series B Preferred Stock have been paid and require dividends to be paid on the Series B
Preferred Stock if proceeds from the sale of Export Water exceed $36,026,232. For further discussion see Note 8 –
Shareholders’ Equity to the accompanying financial statements.
Performance Graph 1
This graph compares the cumulative total return of our common stock for the last five fiscal years with the
cumulative total return for the same period of the S&P 500 Index and a peer group index.2 The graph assumes the
investment of $100 in common stock in each of the indices as of the market close on August 31 and reinvestment of
all dividends.
8/11
8/12
8/13
8/14
8/15
8/16
Pure Cycle Corporation
S&P 500
Peer Group
100.00
100.00
100.00
67.57
118.00
113.85
175.68
140.07
136.49
220.27
175.43
151.56
168.92
176.27
159.21
163.51
198.4
203.12
24
*$100 invested on 8/31/11 in stock or index, including reinvestment of dividends. Fiscal year ended August 31.
1. This performance graph is not “soliciting material,” is not deemed “filed” with the SEC and is not to be incorporated by
reference in any of our filings under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act whether made before or after the date hereof and
irrespective of any general incorporation language in any such filing.
2. The Peer Group consists of the following companies that have been selected on the basis of industry focus or industry
leadership: American States Water Company, Aqua America, Inc., Artesian Resources Corp., California Water Service
Group, Connecticut Water Service, Inc., Middlesex Water Company, SJW Corp., and The York Water Company.
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities; Use of Proceeds From Registered Securities
None.
Purchase of Equity Securities By the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers
None.
25
Item 6 – Selected Financial Data
In thousands (except per share data)
Summary Statement of Operations Items:
Table F - Selected Financial Data
2016
For the Fiscal Years Ended August 31,
2013
2014
2015
2012
Total revenue
$
452.2
$
1,196.6
$
2,023.1
$
615.6
$
284.4
(Loss) income frorm continuing operations
$
(1,230.3)
$
(575.1)
$
285.5
$
(1,227.9)
$
(6,947.3)
Net loss
$
(1,310.6)
$
(23,127.9)
$
(311.4)
$
(4,150.4)
$
(17,418.7)
Basic and diluted loss per share
$
(0.06)
$
(0.96)
$
(0.01)
$
(0.17)
$
(0.72)
Weighted average shares outstanding
23,781
24,041
24,038
24,038
24,038
Summary Balance Sheet Information:
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
As of August 31,
Current assets
Total assets
Current liabilities
Long-term liabilities
Total liabilities
Equity
$
$
$
29,085.9
70,879.6
482.2
$
$
$
39,580.9
73,060.9
1,499.1
$
$
$
4,463.3
108,173.8
3,274.4
$
$
$
9,900.0
108,618.3
5,402.3
$
$
$
7,661.8
111,582.0
6,254.8
$
1,399.5
$
1,476.4
$
13,868.9
$
65,443.5
$
75,209.5
$
1,881.7
$
2,975.5
$
17,143.3
$
70,845.8
$
81,464.3
$
68,997.9
$
70,085.5
$
91,030.5
$
37,772.5
$
30,117.8
The following items had a significant impact on our operations:
(a) In fiscal 2016, we invested $923,800 in our water and wastewater systems and $285,600 for planning and
design of our Sky Ranch property. We also purchased three farms for approximately $450,300 in order to
correct dry-up covenant issues related to water-only farms in order obtain the release of the escrow funds
related to the Company’s farm sale to Arkansas River Farms, LLC.
(b) In fiscal 2015, we sold our remaining farm assets for approximately $45.8 million, for a loss of
approximately $22.3 million. In conjunction with the sale, we repaid $4.9 million in mortgage debt relating
to the farms and we invested approximately $3.5 million into our water systems. Financial results for the
farm assets have been reflected as discontinued operations and all prior periods have been reclassified.
(c) In fiscal 2014, in order to protect our farm assets, we acquired the remaining approximately $2.6 million of
the $9.6 million in notes defaulted on by High Plains A&M, LLC (“HP A&M”). Additionally, we
borrowed $1.75 million, sold farms for $5.8 million, and invested $3.7 million in our water systems.
Additionally, we recorded an impairment of approximately $400,000 on land and water rights held for sale,
and we recorded a gain of $1.3 million upon completing the sale of certain farms that we previously
impaired in fiscal 2012.
(d) In fiscal 2013, in order to protect our farm assets, we acquired approximately $7 million of the $9.6 million
in HP A&M defaulted notes. Additionally, we sold 1,500,000 unregistered shares of Pure Cycle common
stock owned by HP A&M for $2.35 per share, yielding approximately $3.4 million, net of expenses.
(e) In fiscal 2012, the Paradise Water Supply asset was deemed fully impaired and the entire asset value of
$5.5 million was written off and recorded in the accompanying financial statements. Additionally, we
recorded an impairment of $6.5 million on land and water rights held for sale.
26
Item 7 – Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Overview
The discussion and analysis below includes certain forward-looking statements that are subject to risks,
uncertainties and other factors, as described in “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K,
that could cause our actual growth, results of operations, performance, financial position and business prospects
and opportunities for this fiscal year and the periods that follow to differ materially from those expressed in, or
implied by, those forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned that forward-looking statements contained in
this Form 10-K should be read in conjunction with our disclosure under the heading “FORWARD-LOOKING
STATEMENTS” on page 1.
The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) is intended to help the reader understand the
results of operations and our financial condition and should be read in conjunction with the accompanying financial
statements and the notes thereto included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The following
sections focus on the key indicators reviewed by management in evaluating our financial condition and operating
performance, including the following:
Revenue generated from providing water and wastewater services;
Expenses associated with developing our water and land assets; and
Cash available to continue development of our water rights and service agreements.
Our MD&A section includes the following items:
Our Business – a general description of our business, our services and our business strategy.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates – a discussion of our critical accounting policies that require critical
judgments, assumptions and estimates.
Results of Operations – an analysis of our results of operations for the three fiscal years presented in our
financial statements. We present our discussion in the MD&A in conjunction with the accompanying financial
statements.
Liquidity, Capital Resources and Financial Position – an analysis of our cash position and cash flows, as well as
a discussion of our financial obligations.
Our Business
Pure Cycle Corporation is a Colorado corporation that provides wholesale water and wastewater services to end-use
customers of governmental entities and to commercial and industrial customers.
These services include water production, storage, treatment, bulk transmission to retail distribution systems,
wastewater collection and treatment, irrigation water treatment and transmission, construction management, billing
and collection and emergency response.
We are a vertically integrated wholesale water and wastewater provider, which means we own or control
substantially all assets necessary to provide wholesale water and wastewater services to our customers. This includes
owning or controlling (i) water rights which we use to provide domestic, irrigation, and industrial water to our
wholesale customers (we own surface water, groundwater, reclaimed water rights and storage rights), (ii)
infrastructure (such as wells, diversion structures, pipelines, reservoirs and treatment facilities) required to withdraw,
treat, store and deliver water, (iii) infrastructure required to collect, treat, store and reuse wastewater, and (iv)
infrastructure required to treat and deliver reclaimed water for irrigation use.
We currently provide wholesale water and wastewater service predominately to two local governmental entity
customers. Our largest wholesale domestic customer is the District. We provide service to the District and its end-
use customers pursuant to the Rangeview Water Agreements. Through the District, we serve 258 SFE water
27
connections and 157 SFE wastewater connections located in southeastern metropolitan Denver. In the past three
years, we have been providing untreated water to industrial customers in the oil and gas industry located in our
service areas and adjacent to our service areas for the purpose of hydraulic fracturing. Oil and gas operators have
leased more than 135,000 acres within and adjacent to our service areas for the purpose of exploring oil and gas
interests in the Niobrara and other formations, and this activity had led to increased water demands. As a result of
the decline in oil prices, drilling has been significantly reduced, and as of the date of this report, we are not selling
water to the oil and gas industry.
We plan to utilize our significant water assets along with our adjudicated reservoir sites to provide wholesale water
and wastewater services to local governmental entities which in turn will provide residential/commercial water and
wastewater services to communities along the eastern slope of Colorado in the area generally referred to as the Front
Range. Principally we target the I-70 corridor, which is located east of downtown Denver and south of Denver
International Airport. This area is predominately undeveloped and is expected to experience substantial growth over
the next 30 years. We also plan to continue to provide water service to commercial and industrial customers.
Critical Accounting Policies and Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United
States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions about future events that
affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Future events and their effects
cannot be determined with absolute certainty. Therefore, the determination of estimates requires the exercise of
judgment. Actual results inevitably will differ from those estimates, and such differences may be material to the
financial statements.
The most significant accounting estimates inherent in the preparation of our financial statements include estimates
associated with the timing of revenue recognition, the impairment of water assets and other long-lived assets, fair value
estimates and share-based compensation. Below is a summary of these critical accounting policies.
Revenue Recognition
Our revenues consist mainly of monthly service fees, tap fees, construction fees, and consulting fees. As further
described in Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to the accompanying financial statements,
proceeds from tap sales and construction fees are deferred upon receipt and recognized in income based on whether
we own or do not own the facilities constructed with the proceeds. We recognize tap and construction fees derived
from agreements for which we construct infrastructure owned by others as revenue, along with the associated costs
of construction, pursuant to the percentage-of-completion method. The percentage-of-completion method requires
management to estimate the percent of work that is completed on a particular project, which could change materially
throughout the duration of the construction period and result in significant fluctuations in revenue recognized during
the reporting periods throughout the construction process. We did not recognize any revenues pursuant to the
percentage-of-completion method during the fiscal years ended August 31, 2016, 2015 or 2014.
Tap and construction fees derived from agreements for which we own the infrastructure are recognized as revenue
ratably over the estimated service life of the assets constructed with said fees. Although the cash will be received up-
front and most construction will be completed within one year of receipt of the proceeds, revenue recognition may
occur over 30 years or more. Management is required to estimate the service life, and currently the service life is
based on the estimated useful accounting life of the assets constructed with the tap fees. The useful accounting life
of the asset is based on management’s estimation of an accounting-based useful life and may not have any
correlation to the actual life of the asset or the actual service life of the tap. This is deemed a reasonable recognition
life of the revenues because the depreciation of the assets constructed generating those revenues will therefore be
matched with the revenues.
Monthly water usage fees, monthly wastewater service fees, and consulting fees are recognized in income each
month as earned.
28
Pursuant to the O&G Lease and an oil and gas lease on 40 acres of mineral estate the Company owns adjacent to the
Lowry Range (the “Rangeview Lease”), we received up-front payments which are recognized as other income on a
straight-line basis over the initial term or extension of term, as applicable, of the leases.
Impairment of Water Assets and Other Long-Lived Assets
We review our long-lived assets for impairment whenever management believes events or changes in circumstances
indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. We measure recoverability of assets to be held
and used by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to estimated future undiscounted net cash flows we
expect to be generated by the eventual use of the asset. If such assets are considered to be impaired and therefore the
costs of the assets deemed to be unrecoverable, the impairment to be recognized would be the amount by which the
carrying amount of the assets exceeds the estimated fair value of the assets.
Our water assets will be utilized in the provision of water services which inevitably will encompass many housing
and economic cycles. Our service capacities are quantitatively estimated based on an average single family home
consuming approximately 0.2 acre feet of water per year. Average water deliveries are approximately 0.4 acre feet;
however, approximately 50% or 0.2 acre feet are returned and available for reuse. Our water supplies are legally
decreed to us through the water court. The water court decree allocates a specific amount of water (subject to
continued beneficial use) which historically has not changed. Thus, individual housing and economic cycles
typically do not have an impact on the number of connections we can serve with our supplies or the amount of water
legally decreed to us relating to these supplies.
We report assets to be disposed of at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell.
Our Water Rights – We determine the undiscounted cash flows for our Denver-based assets by estimating tap sales
to potential new developments in our service areas and along the Front Range, using estimated future tap fees less
estimated costs to provide water services, over an estimated development period. Actual new home development in
our service areas and the Front Range, actual future tap fees, and actual future operating costs inevitably will vary
significantly from our estimates, which could have a material impact on our financial statements as well as our
results of operations. We performed an impairment analysis as of August 31, 2016, and determined there were no
material changes and that our Denver-based assets are not impaired and their costs are deemed recoverable. Our
impairment analysis is based on development occurring within areas in which we have service agreements (e.g., Sky
Ranch and the Lowry Range) as well as in surrounding areas, including the Front Range and the I-70 corridor. Our
combined Rangeview Water Supply and Sky Ranch water assets have a carrying value of $28.3 million as of August
31, 2016. Based on the carrying value of our water rights, the long-term and uncertain nature of any development
plans, current tap fees of $24,620 and estimated gross margins, we estimate that we would need to add
approximately 2,300 new water connections (requiring 4% of our portfolio) to generate net revenues sufficient to
recover the costs of our Rangeview Water Supply and Sky Ranch water. If tap fees increase 5%, we would need to
add approximately 2,200 new water taps (requiring 3.8% of our portfolio) to recover the costs of our Rangeview
Water Supply and Sky Ranch water. If tap fees decrease 5%, we would need to add approximately 2,400 new water
taps (requiring 4.2% of our portfolio) to recover the costs of our Rangeview Water Supply and Sky Ranch water.
Although changes in the housing market throughout the Front Range have delayed our estimated tap sale
projections, these changes do not alter our water ownership, nor our service obligations to existing properties or the
number of SFEs we can service.
Fair Value Estimates
Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly
transaction between market participants at the measurement date in the principal or most advantageous market. We
generally use a fair value hierarchy that has three levels of inputs, both observable and unobservable, with use of the
lowest possible level of input to determine fair value. See Note 3 – Fair Value Measurements to the accompanying
financial statements.
29
Share-based Compensation
We estimate the fair value of share-based payment awards made to key employees and directors on the date of grant
using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. We then expense the fair value over the vesting period of the grant
using a straight-line expense model. The fair value of share-based payments requires management to estimate/
calculate various inputs such as the volatility of the underlying stock, the expected dividend rate, the estimated
forfeiture rate and an estimated life of each option. We do not expect any forfeiture of option grants; therefore, the
compensation expense has not been reduced for estimated forfeitures. These assumptions are based on historical
trends and estimated future actions of option holders and may not be indicative of actual events which may have a
material impact on our financial statements. For further details on share-based compensation expense, see Note 8 –
Shareholders’ Equity to the accompanying financial statements.
Results of Operations
Executive Summary
The results of our operations for the fiscal years ended August 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 were as follows:
Millions of gallons of water delivered
Water revenues generated
Water delivery operating costs incurred
(excluding depreciation and depletion)
Water delivery gross margin %
Table G - Summary of Results of Operations
Change
Fiscal Years Ended August 31,
2015
2016
2014
2016-2015
$
33.9
221,000
$
97.5
970,000
$
190.1
1,879,500
$
(63.6)
(749,000)
$
2015-2014
$
(92.6)
(909,500)
$
%
-49%
-48%
%
-65%
-77%
$
264,400
-20%
$
464,900
52%
$
547,600
71%
$
(200,500)
-43%
$
(82,700)
-15%
Wastewater treatment revenues
Wastewater treatment operating costs incurred
Wastewater treatment gross margin %
$
$
43,700
29,200
33%
$
$
50,100
66,700
-33%
$
$
45,400
38,400
15%
$
$
(6,400)
(37,500)
-13%
-56%
$
$
4,700
28,300
10%
74%
Other income
Other income costs incurred
Other income gross margin %
$
$
131,700
68,500
48%
$
$
120,700
55,200
54%
$
$
42,400
39,400
7%
$
$
11,000
13,300
9%
24%
$
$
78,300
15,800
185%
40%
General and administrative expenses
$
1,849,700
$
1,939,400
$
2,445,600
$
(89,700)
-5%
$
(506,200)
-21%
(Loss) income from continuing operations
Loss from discontinued operations
Net loss
$
$
$
(1,230,300)
(80,300)
(1,310,600)
$
$
$
(575,100)
(22,552,800)
(23,127,900)
$
$
$
285,500
(597,000)
(311,400)
$
$
$
(655,200)
22,472,500
21,817,300
114%
-100%
-94%
$
$
$
(860,600)
(21,955,800)
(22,816,500)
-301%
3684%
7327%
Changes in Revenues and Gross Margin
We generate revenues from water and wastewater services. Water and wastewater revenues are generated from (i)
monthly wholesale water usage fees and wastewater service fees, (ii) one-time water and wastewater tap fees and
construction fees, and (iii) consulting fees.
Water and Wastewater Revenues – Our water deliveries decreased 65% in fiscal 2016 compared to fiscal 2015 and
decreased 49% in fiscal 2015 compared to fiscal 2014. Water revenues decreased 77% in fiscal 2016 compared to
fiscal 2015 and decreased 48% in fiscal 2015 compared to fiscal 2014. The decreases in deliveries and sales were
primarily due to the changes in demand for water to be used for oil and gas activities – namely, fracking wells
drilled into the Niobrara formation. The following table details the sources of our water sales, the number of kgal
(1,000 gallons) sold, and the average price per kgal for fiscal 2016, fiscal 2015, and fiscal 2014.
30
Customer Type
On-Site
Export-Commercial
Industrial/Fracking
2016
kgal
26,620.8
7,216.2
58.2
33,895.2
Table H - Water Revenue Summary
2015
Average
per kgal
5.60
$
9.88
10.31
6.52
$
Sales (in
thousands)
137.3
$
50.0
782.7
970.0
$
kgal
20,821.7
4,158.4
72,557.6
97,537.7
Average
per kgal
6.59
$
12.02
10.79
9.94
$
2014
Sales (in
thousands)
130.7
$
31.6
1,717.2
1,879.5
$
Sales (in
thousands)
149.1
$
71.3
0.6
221.0
$
kgal
23,318.2
2,318.4
164,502.7
190,139.3
Average
per kgal
5.61
$
13.63
10.44
9.88
$
Our gross margin on delivering water (not including depletion charges) was a loss of 20% during fiscal 2016 and
income of 52% and 71% during fiscal 2015 and 2014, respectively. The changes in our gross margins were due to
changes in demand related to water sales to the fracking industry and our ability to offset the ECCV system costs
with increased water deliveries in fiscal 2014 and decreasing water deliveries in fiscal 2015 and fiscal 2016.
Our wastewater fees decreased 13% in fiscal 2016 compared to fiscal 2015 and increased 10% in fiscal 2015
compared to fiscal 2014. Wastewater fee fluctuations result from demand changes from our only customer.
We did not sell any water or wastewater taps during fiscal 2016, 2015 or 2014.
Other income consisted principally of consulting fees of $131,700, $85,800, and $42,400 for the fiscal years ended
August 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014, respectively. Our consulting fees increased 54% in fiscal 2016 compared to fiscal
2015 and increased 102% in fiscal 2015 compared to fiscal 2014. The increase in fees is the result of the additional
management of new water systems. We have increased from managing two systems during fiscal 2014 to managing
four systems during fiscal 2015 and five systems during fiscal 2016. During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2015,
we also received income related to a cost-sharing arrangement from our industrial water sales related to the fracking
industry in the amount of $34,900. Our margins have fluctuated as we allocated additional staff costs to system
management.
General and Administrative Expenses
Table I details significant items, and changes, included in our General and Administrative Expenses (“G&A
Expenses”) as well as the impact that share-based compensation has on our G&A Expenses for the fiscal years
ended August 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
Table I - G&A Expenses
Fiscal Years Ended August 31,
2015
2014
2016
Change
2016-2015
$
%
2015-2014
$
%
Significant G&A Expense items:
Salary and salary-related expenses
Professional fees
Fees paid to directors including insurance
Insurance
Public entity related expenses
Consulting fees
Property taxes
All other components of G&A combined
G&A Expenses as reported
Share-based compensation
G&A Expenses less share-based compensation
$
$
$
$
$
1,084,300
250,900
134,400
35,900
109,500
5,700
9,200
219,800
1,849,700
(219,900)
1,629,800
1,234,100
291,400
140,400
31,600
83,200
18,300
7,400
133,000
1,939,400
(240,000)
1,699,400
962,800
1,072,300
120,400
30,300
92,500
13,100
(50,300)
204,500
2,445,600
(251,900)
2,193,700
(149,800)
(40,500)
(6,000)
4,300
26,300
(12,600)
1,800
86,800
(89,700)
20,100
(69,600)
-12%
-14%
-4%
14%
32%
-69%
24%
65%
-5%
-8%
-4%
271,300
(780,900)
20,000
1,300
(9,300)
5,200
57,700
(71,500)
(506,200)
11,900
(494,300)
28%
-73%
17%
4%
-10%
40%
-115%
-35%
-21%
-5%
-23%
$
$
$
$
$
Note - salary and salary-related expenses excluding share-based compensation:
Salary and salary-related expenses
864,400
$
$
994,100
$
710,900
$
(129,700)
-13%
$
283,200
40%
Salary and Salary-Related Expenses – Salary and salary-related expenses decreased by 12% during fiscal 2016 as
compared to fiscal 2015 and increased by 28% during fiscal 2015 as compared to fiscal 2014. The decrease in fiscal
2016 compared to fiscal 2015 was the result of the Company paying lower bonuses, offset by the addition of one
operator, during fiscal 2016. The increase in fiscal 2015 compared to fiscal 2014 was the result of the Company
paying increased bonuses and the addition of two field personnel during fiscal 2015. As noted on the bottom line of
Table I, salary and salary-related expenses excluding share-based compensation expenses decreased 13% during
31
fiscal 2016 compared to fiscal 2015 and increased 40% during fiscal 2015 compared to fiscal 2014. Share-based
compensation expenses decreased 8% during fiscal 2016 compared to fiscal 2015 as a result of the complete
recognition of options issued to management during fiscal 2013, which occurred over a period of less than 12
months during fiscal 2016. Share-based compensation expenses decreased 5% during fiscal 2015 compared to fiscal
2014 as a result of a decrease in the number of options issued during fiscal 2015 compared to fiscal 2014.
Professional Fees (mainly legal and accounting fees) – Professional fees decreased 14% during fiscal 2016
compared to fiscal 2015 and decreased 73% during fiscal 2015 compared to fiscal 2014. The decrease during fiscal
2016 compared to fiscal 2015 was primarily the result of decreased general legal fees. The decrease during fiscal
2015 compared to fiscal 2014 was primarily the result of settlement of the Land Board litigation, which decreased
legal fees by $852,000.
Fees Paid to Our Board of Directors – Fees for our board in fiscal 2016 include $54,400 for premiums related to
our directors and officers insurance policy (this amount increased by $4,000 from fiscal 2015). The remaining fiscal
2016 fees of $80,000 represent amounts accrued to our board members for annual service, meeting attendance fees
and travel expenses, which were somewhat lower than in fiscal 2015 due to a decrease in the number of board
meetings held in 2016. Fees for our board in fiscal 2015 include $50,500 for premiums related to our directors and
officers insurance policy (this amount increased by $1,000 from fiscal 2014). The remaining fiscal 2015 fees of
$89,900 represent amounts accrued to our board members for annual service, meeting attendance fees and travel
expenses, which were higher than in fiscal 2014 due to changing from expensing annual director fees when paid to
expensing annual director fees ratably throughout the calendar year. Fees paid to our board of directors in fiscal
2014 include $49,500 for premiums related to our directors and officers insurance policy. The remaining $70,900
represent amounts paid to our board members for annual service, meeting attendance fees and travel expenses.
Insurance – We maintain policies for general liability insurance, workers compensation insurance, and casualty
insurance to protect our assets. Insurance expense fluctuates based on the number of employees and premiums
associated with insuring our water systems.
Public Entity Expenses – Costs associated with being a corporation and costs associated with being a publicly
traded entity consist primarily of XBRL and Edgar conversion fees, stock exchange fees, and press releases. These
costs fluctuate from year to year.
Consulting Fees – Consulting fees for fiscal 2016 consisted of $5,000 for board advisory services and $700 related
to the development of the Sky Ranch water districts. Consulting fees for fiscal 2015 consisted of $10,000 for board
advisory services, $3,800 related to developing Sky Ranch, and $4,500 related to the development of the Sky Ranch
Districts. Consulting fees for fiscal 2014 consisted of $9,600 related to the development of the Sky Ranch Districts
and $3,500 in general consulting fees related to our water rights.
Property Taxes – Our 2014 property tax expense included a credit received from the County due to a reclassification
of our Sky Ranch property from commercial to farm land.
Other G&A Expenses – Other G&A Expenses include typical operating expenses related to the maintenance of our
office, business development, bad debt charges, travel, and District funding. Other G&A increased 65% during
fiscal 2016 compared to fiscal 2015 and decreased 35% during fiscal 2015 compared to fiscal 2014. The changes
were primarily the result of the timing of various expenses. As described in greater detail in Note 14 – Related Party
Transactions to the accompanying financial statements, pursuant to a funding agreement with the District, we are
now accruing the funding to the District for overhead expenses reimbursable under our agreement into a note, which
decreased our G&A by approximately $114,000 from fiscal 2014 to fiscal 2015.
32
Other Income and Expense Items
Other income items:
Oil and gas lease income, net
Oil and gas royalty income, net
Interest income
Other
Gain on extinguishment of contingent
obligations
Table J - Other Items
For the Fiscal Years Ended August 31,
2016
2015
2014
2016-2015
$
%
2015-2014
$
%
Change
$
$
$
$
360,800
343,600
241,300
3,900
$
$
$
$
645,700
412,600
21,300
22,100
$
525,400
$
-
$
12,500
$
160,000
$
$
$
$
(284,900)
(69,000)
220,000
(18,200)
-44%
-17%
1033%
-82%
$
$
$
$
120,300
412,600
8,800
(137,900)
23%
100%
70%
-86%
$
-
$
-
$
832,100
$
-
0%
$
(832,100)
100%
The $360,800, $645,700, and $525,400 of oil and gas lease payments recognized in fiscal 2016, fiscal 2015, and
fiscal 2014, respectively, primarily represent the deferred recognition of the up-front payments received in March
2011 and February 2014, upon the signing of the O&G Lease and Surface Use Agreement and related extension.
The amounts also represent the up-front payments received for the Rangeview Lease. On March 10, 2011 we
received an up-front payment of $1,243,400 for the purpose of exploring for, developing, producing and marketing
oil and gas on 634 acres of mineral estate we own at our Sky Ranch property. The oil and gas rights under the
remaining 304 acres at Sky Ranch were already owned by a third party. We deferred immediate recognition of the
up-front payment and began recognizing the up-front payment in income over the initial three-year term of the O&G
Lease beginning March 10, 2011. During February 2014, we received an additional payment of $1,243,400 to
extend the initial term of the O&G Lease by an additional two years through February 2016. The income received
for the extension was recognized in income over the two-year extension term of the O&G Lease. As of August 31,
2016, we have deferred recognition of $19,000 of income related to the Rangeview Lease.
The oil and gas royalty income represents amounts received pursuant to the O&G Lease. The amount for fiscal 2015
includes royalties from oil production from commencement of each well through August 15, 2015, which represents
approximately six months of production. The amounts for fiscal 2016 include royalties of each well from August 16,
2015 through August 15, 2016. The first well (referred to as “Sky Ranch” in the chart below) generated oil and gas
royalty revenue of approximately $266,600 and $321,800, 20% gross (net of taxes), based on the Company’s 3/8ths
interest of the total production of this 1,280-acre pooled mineral estate during the fiscal years ended August 31,
2016 and 2015, respectively. This 10,000-foot horizontal well recorded production of approximately 80,400 and
105,000 barrels of oil for the fiscal years ended August 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The second well (referred
to as “Property” in the chart below) generated oil and gas royalty revenue of approximately $77,000 and $90,800,
20% gross (net of taxes), based on the Company’s 1/8ths interest of the total production of this 1,280-acre pooled
mineral estate during the fiscal years ended August 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. This 10,000-foot horizontal
well recorded production of approximately 73,400 and 88,600 barrels of oil for the fiscal years ended August 31,
2016 and 2015, respectively. During fiscal 2014 there were no producing wells. The following charts detail well
production and oil and gas royalties during fiscal 2015 and fiscal 2016.
33
Interest income represents interest earned on the temporary investment of capital in cash equivalents or available-
for-sale securities, interest accrued on the notes receivable from the District and the Sky Ranch District, and interest
accrued on the Special Facilities construction proceeds receivable from Arapahoe County. The increase from fiscal
2015 compared to fiscal 2016 is due to the receipt of interest on investments related to the proceeds from the sale of
our farms.
Other represents income we received for various easements and the construction of infrastructure for the oil and gas
industry, which is partially offset by other non-operational expenses.
Gain on extinguishment of contingent obligations resulted from the relinquishment of the Comprehensive
Amendment Agreement No. 1 (“CAA”) interest held by the Land Board in fiscal 2014.
Discontinued Operations
For additional information about our discontinued operations, see Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
The following table provides the components of discontinued operations:
34
Table K - Discontinued Operations Statements of Operations
Farm revenues
Farm expenses
Gross profit
General and administrative expenses
Impairment of land and water rights held for sale
Operating (loss) profit
Finance charges
(Loss) gain on sale of farm assets
Interest expense (1)
Interest imputed on the Tap Participation
Fee payable to HP A&M (2)
Loss from discontinued operations
2016
$
Fiscal years ended August 31,
2015
2014
267,472
(77,132)
190,340
$
1,127,155
(126,279)
1,000,876
$
1,068,026
(88,105)
979,921
(313,389)
-
(123,049)
38,428
4,273
-
(760,192)
-
240,684
21,710
(22,108,145)
(390,505)
(911,230)
(402,657)
(333,966)
14,392
1,407,326
(239,200)
$
-
(80,348)
(23,816)
(22,260,072)
$
(1,445,509)
(596,957)
$
(1) Interest expense represents interest accrued related to notes we had on our farm assets prior to the sale. All
notes associated with the farms have been paid off, and as a result we no longer incur interest on such
notes.
(2) Imputed interest represents an estimate of the interest accrued on the Tap Participation Fee payable to HP
A&M, which was eliminated as a result of the settlement with HP A&M during the three months ended
February 28, 2015. As a result, we stopped accruing interest related to the Tap Participation Fee on that
date.
We anticipate continued expenses through the end of calendar 2016 related to the discontinued operations. We will
continue to receive revenues for leased agricultural land and incur expenses related to the remaining agricultural
land we own and for the purpose of collecting outstanding receivables. We are in the process of selling the
remaining farms that we acquired during fiscal 2016.
Liquidity, Capital Resources and Financial Position
At August 31, 2016, our working capital, defined as current assets less current liabilities, was $28.6 million, which
includes $4.7 million in cash and cash equivalents. We believe that as of the date of the filing of this annual report
on Form 10-K and as of August 31, 2016, we have sufficient working capital to fund our operations for the next
fiscal year.
ECCV Capacity Operating System – Pursuant to a 1982 contractual right, the District may purchase water produced
from the ECCV Land Board system, which is comprised of eight wells and more than 10 miles of buried water
pipeline located on the Lowry Range. In May 2012, in order to increase the delivery capacity and reliability of these
wells, in our capacity as the District’s service provider and the Export Water Contractor (as defined in the Lease
Agreement among us, the District and the Land Board), we entered into an agreement to operate and maintain the
ECCV facilities, allowing us to utilize the system to provide water to commercial and industrial customers,
including customers providing water for drilling and hydraulic fracturing of oil and gas wells. Our costs associated
with the use of the ECCV system are a flat monthly fee of $8,000 per month from January 1, 2013 through
December 31, 2020, and will decrease to $3,000 per month from January 1, 2021 through April 2032. Additionally,
we pay a fee per 1,000 gallons of water produced from ECCV’s system, which is included in the water usage fees
charged to customers. In addition, the ECCV system costs us approximately $1,900 per month to maintain.
South Metropolitan Water Supply Authority and WISE – SMWSA is a municipal water authority in the State of
Colorado organized to pursue the acquisition and development of new water supplies on behalf of its members,
including the District. Pursuant to the SMWSA Participation Agreement with the District, we agreed to provide
funding to the District in connection with its membership in the SMWSA. During the fiscal years ended August 31,
2016, 2015 and 2014, we provided $113,600, $78,600 and $114,900, respectively, of funding to the District
pursuant to the SMWSA Participation Agreement. In July 2013, the District together with nine other SMWSA
members formed an entity to enable its members to participle in WISE and entered into an agreement that specifies
35
each member’s pro rata share of WISE and the members’ rights and obligations with respect to WISE. On
December 31, 2013, SMWA, Denver Water and Aurora Water entered into the WISE Partnership Agreement, which
provides for the purchase of certain infrastructure (pipelines, water storage facilities, water treatment facilities, and
other appurtenant facilities) to deliver water to and among the 10 members of the SMWA, Denver Water and Aurora
Water. We have entered into the WISE Financing Agreement, which obligates us to fund the District’s cost of
participating in WISE. In exchange for funding the District’s obligations in WISE, we will have the sole right to use
and reuse the District’s 7% share of the WISE water and infrastructure to provide water service to the District’s
customers and to receive the revenue from such service. Upon completion of the WISE infrastructure in 2017, we
expect to be entitled to approximately 3 million gallons per day of transmission pipeline capacity and 500 acre feet
per year of water. In addition to the funding we have provided to the District pursuant to the SMWSA Participation
Agreement, to date we have provided approximately $2.9 million of financing to the District to fund its obligation to
finance the purchase of infrastructure for WISE and the construction of a connection to the WISE system in
accordance with the WISE Financing Agreement. We anticipate that we will be spending approximately $650,000 in
this system during fiscal 2017 and $5 million during the next four years to fund the District’s purchase of its share of
the water transmission line and additional facilities, water and related assets for WISE.
Summary Cash Flows Table
Table L - Summary Cash Flows
Change
For the Fiscal Years Ended August 31,
2016
2015
2014
2016-2015
$
%
2015-2014
$
%
Cash (used) provided by:
Operating acitivites
Investing activities
Financing activities
$
$
$
(270,700)
(32,119,000)
(2,000)
$
$
$
(974,100)
42,531,700
(6,218,200)
$
$
$
51,700
2,136,300
(2,886,900)
$
$
$
703,400
(74,650,700)
6,216,200
72%
-176%
100%
$
$
$
(1,025,800)
40,395,400
(3,331,300)
-1984%
1891%
115%
Changes in Operating Activities – Operating activities include revenues we receive from the sale of wholesale
water and wastewater services, costs incurred in the delivery of those services, G&A Expenses, and
depletion/depreciation expenses.
Cash used by operations in fiscal 2016 decreased by $703,400 compared to fiscal 2015, which was primarily the
result of receiving the remaining escrow from the sale of our farms of approximately $1.3 million. Cash used by
operations in fiscal 2015 increased by $1,025,700 compared to fiscal 2014, which was primarily the result of us not
receiving a fee for renewal of the O&G lease in fiscal 2015, which accounted for approximately $1.3 million in
fiscal 2014.
We will continue to provide wholesale domestic water and wastewater services to customers in our service areas,
and we will continue to operate and maintain our water and wastewater systems with our own employees.
Changes in Investing Activities – Investing activities in fiscal 2016 consisted of the investments in our water and
wastewater systems and land of approximately $1.2 million, the purchase of equipment of approximately $472,300,
and the net investment of approximately $30 million into U.S. treasuries and certificates of deposit. Investing
activities in fiscal 2015 consisted of the sale of our farms, which generated proceeds of approximately $44.6 million,
and the addition of approximately $2.1 million in water assets, which primarily consisted of the investment in WISE
of approximately $2.5 million ($1.4 million acquired through the WISE Financing Agreement) and the addition of
pipelines and other water infrastructure of approximately $1 million. Investing activities in fiscal 2014 consisted of
the sale of some of our farms and easements on our land, which generated $5.8 million and the addition of
approximately $3.9 million in water assets, which primarily consisted of the addition of three wells to our system.
Changes in Financing Activities – Financing activities in fiscal 2016 consisted only of payments to our contingent
liability holders of approximately $2,000. Financing activities in fiscal 2015 consisted primarily of payments on our
promissory notes of $8.9 million (which includes funding of the WISE Financing Agreement entered into in
December 2014) and the issuance of approximately $2.7 million in new promissory notes. Financing activities in
fiscal 2014 consisted primarily of payments on our promissory notes of $2.9 million.
36
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
Our off-balance sheet arrangements consist entirely of the contingent portion of the CAA which is $677,500, as
described in Note 5 – Participating Interests in Export Water to the accompanying financial statements. The
contingent liability is not reflected on our balance sheet because the obligation to pay the CAA is contingent on sales
of Export Water, the amounts and timing of which are not reasonably determinable.
Recently Adopted and Issued Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to the accompanying financial statements for recently
adopted and issued accounting pronouncements.
Total Contractual Cash Obligations
Table M - Contractual Cash Obligations
Operating lease obligations (a)
Participating Interests in Export Water (b)
WISE participation (c)
Total
Total
$
12,000
344,000
5,642,200
5,998,200
$
$
Less than 1
year
12,000
(b)
649,100
661,100
$
Payments due by period
1-3 years
(a)
(b)
3,960,800
3,960,800
$
3-5 years
(a)
(b)
1,032,300
1,032,300
$
More than 5
years
(a)
(b)
(c)
$
-
(a) Our only operating lease is related to our office space. We occupy 2,500 square feet at a cost of $3,000, per
month, at the address shown on the cover of this Form 10-K. We lease these premises pursuant to a one-year
operating lease agreement which expires in December 2016 with a third party.
(b) The participating interests liability is payable to the CAA holders upon the sale of Export Water; therefore, the
timing of the payments is uncertain and not reflected in the above table by period.
(c) Projections for WISE participation have only been provided for the next five fiscal years. The timing and
amount of payments beyond five years is uncertain and not reflected in the above table by period.
Item 7A – Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
General
We have limited exposure to market risks from instruments that may impact our balance sheets, statements of
operations, and statements of cash flows. Such exposure is due primarily to changing interest rates.
Interest Rates
The primary objective for our investment activities is to preserve principal while maximizing yields without
significantly increasing risk. This is accomplished by investing in diversified short-term interest bearing
investments. As of August 31, 2016, we are holding $30 million in marketable securities consisting of certificates of
deposit and U.S. treasury notes. We have no investments denominated in foreign country currencies; therefore, our
investments are not subject to foreign currency exchange rate risk.
37
Item 8 – Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Page
F-1
F-2
F-3
F-4
F-5
F-6
38
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Board of Directors and Shareholders
Pure Cycle Corporation
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Pure Cycle Corporation as of August 31, 2016 and 2015, and
the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders' equity and comprehensive income (loss), and cash flows for each
of the years in the three-year period ended August 31, 2016. We also have audited Pure Cycle Corporation’s internal control over
financial reporting as of August 31, 2016, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework 2013 issued
by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Pure Cycle Corporation's management is
responsible for these financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its
assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report
on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and an
opinion on Pure Cycle Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).
Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial
statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all
material respects. Our audit of the financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and
disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management,
and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included
obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and
testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also
included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a
reasonable basis for our opinions.
A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the
reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles. A company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that
(1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions
of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation
of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the
company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide
reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company's
assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also,
projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate
because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial
position of Pure Cycle Corporation as of August 31, 2016 and 2015, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of
the years in the three-year period ended August 31, 2016 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the
United States of America. Also in our opinion, Pure Cycle Corporation maintained, in all material respects, effective internal
control over financial reporting as of August 31, 2016, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework
2013 issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
/s/ GHP HORWATH, P.C
Denver, Colorado
October 27, 2016
F-1
PURE CYCLE CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
ASSETS:
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
Short-term investments
Trade accounts receivable, net
Sky Ranch receivable
Prepaid expenses
Assets of discontinued operations
Total current assets
Long-term investments
Investments in water and water systems, net
Land and mineral interests
Notes receivable - related parties, including accrued interest
Other assets
Total assets
LIABILITIES:
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable
Accrued liabilities
Income taxes
Deferred revenues
Deferred oil and gas lease payment
Liabilities of discontinued operations
Total current liabilities
Deferred revenues, less current portion
Deferred oil and gas lease payment, less current portion
Participating Interests in Export Water Supply
Total liabilities
Commitments and contingencies
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Preferred stock:
August 31, 2016
August 31, 2015
$
4,697,288
23,176,450
181,006
–
350,819
680,287
29,085,850
$
37,089,041
–
157,845
148,415
228,086
1,957,552
39,580,939
6,853,276
28,321,926
5,345,800
800,369
472,393
70,879,614
$
–
27,708,595
5,091,668
591,223
88,488
73,060,913
$
160,390
242,624
–
55,800
19,000
4,394
482,208
1,055,491
–
343,966
1,881,665
172,634
499,808
292,729
55,800
360,765
117,329
1,499,065
1,111,293
19,000
346,007
2,975,365
Series B - par value $.001 per share, 25 million shares authorized;
433
433
432,513 shares issued and outstanding (liquidation preference of $432,513)
Common stock:
Par value 1/3 of $.01 per share, 40 million shares authorized;
23,754,098 and 24,054,098 shares issued and outstanding, respectively
Collateral stock
Additional paid in capital
Accumulated other comprehensive income
Accumulated deficit
Total shareholders' equity
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
79,185
–
171,198,241
3,122
(102,283,032)
68,997,949
70,879,614
$
80,185
(1,407,000)
172,384,355
–
(100,972,425)
70,085,548
73,060,913
$
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
F-2
PURE CYCLE CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
Revenues:
Metered water usage
Wastewater treatment fees
Special facility funding recognized
Water tap fees recognized
Other income
Total revenues
Expenses:
Water service operations
Wastewater service operations
Other
Depletion and depreciation
Total cost of revenues
Gross margin
General and administrative expenses
Depreciation
Operating loss
Other income (expense):
Oil and gas lease income, net
Oil and gas royalty income, net
Interest income
Other
Gain on extinguishment of contingent obligations
(Loss) income from continuing operations
Net loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes
Net loss before taxes
Taxes
Net loss
Unrealized holding gains
Total comprehensive loss
For the Fiscal Years Ended August 31,
2014
2015
2016
$ 220,997
43,712
41,508
14,294
131,650
452,161
$ 969,989
50,076
41,508
14,294
120,702
1,196,569
$ 1,879,495
45,400
41,508
14,294
42,417
2,023,114
(264,424)
(29,187)
(68,478)
(166,670)
(528,759)
(76,598)
(464,940)
(66,745)
(55,173)
(172,546)
(759,404)
437,165
(547,562)
(38,426)
(39,421)
(149,757)
(775,166)
1,247,948
(1,849,743)
(253,434)
(2,179,775)
(1,939,395)
(174,717)
(1,676,947)
(2,445,633)
(46,807)
(1,244,492)
360,765
343,620
241,279
3,852
645,720
412,627
21,334
22,120
–
(575,146)
(22,552,801)
(23,127,947)
–
(1,230,259)
(80,348)
(1,310,607)
–
$ (23,127,947)
$ (1,310,607)
3,122
–
$ (1,307,485) $ (23,127,947)
-
525,438
–
12,466
160,004
832,097
285,513
(596,957)
(311,444)
–
$ (311,444)
–
$ (311,444)
Basic and diluted net (loss) income per common share -
(Loss) income from continuing operations
Loss from discontinued operations
Net loss
$ (0.06)
$ (0.03)
* $ (0.94)
$ (0.06) $ (0.96)
$ 0.01
$ (0.02)
$ (0.01)
Weighted average common shares outstanding –
basic and diluted
23,781,041
24,041,114
24,037,598
* Amount is less than $.01 per share
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
F-3
PURE CYCLE CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
August 31, 2013 balance:
Share-based compensation
Reduction in TPF due to remedies under
the Arkansas River Agreement
Net loss
August 31, 2014 balance:
Share-based compensation
Exercise of options
Reduction in TPF due to remedies under
the Arkansas River Agreement
Collateral stock
Net loss
August 31, 2015 balance:
Share-based compensation
Collateral stock retired
Net loss
Unrealized holding gain on investments
August 31, 2016 balance:
Preferred Stock
Shares
432,513
-
Amount
433
$
-
-
-
432,513
-
-
-
-
-
432,513
-
-
-
-
432,513
-
-
433
-
-
-
-
-
433
-
-
-
-
433
$
Shares
24,037,598
-
-
-
24,037,598
-
16,500
-
-
-
24,054,098
-
(300,000)
-
-
Common Stock
Amount
$
80,130
-
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (loss)
$
-
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
115,224,946
251,915
$
Collateral
Stock
$
-
Accumulated
Deficit
(77,533,034)
$
$
Total
37,772,475
251,915
-
-
80,130
-
55
-
-
-
80,185
-
(1,000)
-
-
79,185
53,317,535
-
168,794,396
239,986
48,770
3,301,203
-
-
172,384,355
219,886
(1,406,000)
-
-
$
171,198,241
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
3,122
3,122
$
-
-
-
-
-
-
(1,407,000)
-
(1,407,000)
-
1,407,000
-
-
$
-
-
(311,444)
(77,844,478)
-
-
-
-
(23,127,947)
(100,972,425)
-
-
(1,310,607)
-
53,317,535
(311,444)
91,030,481
239,986
48,825
3,301,203
(1,407,000)
(23,127,947)
70,085,548
219,886
-
(1,310,607)
3,122
68,997,949
23,754,098
$
$
(102,283,032)
$
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
F-4
PURE CYCLE CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For the fiscal Years Ended August 31,
2015
2016
2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by
(used in) operating activities:
Share-based compensation expense
Depreciation, depletion and other non-cash items
Investment in Well Enhancement and Recovery Systems LLC
Interest income and other non-cash items
Interest added to receivable from related parties
Gain on extinguishment of contingent obligations
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Trade accounts receivable
Prepaid expenses
Note receivable - related parties
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
Income taxes
Deferred revenue
Deferred income - oil and gas lease
Net cash used in operating activities from continuing operations
Net cash provided by operating activities from discontinued operations
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities:
Investments in water, water systems and land
Sales and maturities of marketable securities
Purchase of short-term investments
Purchase of long-term investments
Proceeds from sale of land and easements
Purchase of property and equipment
Net cash used in investing activities from continuing operations
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities from discontinued operations
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from exercise of options
Payment to contingent liability holders
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities from continuing operations
Net cash used in financing activities from discontinued operations
Net cash used in financing activities
$
(1,310,607)
$
(23,127,947)
$
(311,444)
219,886
420,104
10,675
(41,114)
(29,099)
-
(23,161)
(122,733)
(31,633)
(269,428)
(292,729)
(55,802)
(360,765)
(1,886,406)
1,615,677
(270,729)
(1,209,416)
2,840,000
(25,970,721)
(6,855,189)
-
(472,310)
(31,667,636)
(451,347)
(32,118,983)
-
(2,041)
(2,041)
-
(2,041)
239,986
347,263
4,577
(419)
(15,493)
-
918,252
43,472
(105,208)
(848,669)
292,729
(64,226)
(645,720)
(22,961,403)
21,987,337
(974,066)
(2,101,253)
-
-
-
-
(17,186)
(2,118,439)
44,650,149
42,531,710
48,825
(8,621)
40,204
(6,258,365)
(6,218,161)
251,915
196,564
(37,193)
(420)
(12,039)
(832,097)
(1,041,288)
(168,795)
6,388
1,191,298
-
(65,385)
790,002
(32,494)
84,238
51,744
(3,864,443)
-
-
-
192,851
(3,370)
(3,674,962)
5,811,265
2,136,303
-
(6,185)
(6,185)
(2,880,667)
(2,886,852)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of year
Cash and cash equivalents - end of year
(32,391,753)
37,089,041
4,697,288
$
35,339,483
1,749,558
37,089,041
$
(698,805)
2,448,363
1,749,558
$
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Retirement of collateral stock
Reduction in Tap Participation Fee liability resulting from
remedies under the Arkansas River Agreement
Reduction in Tap Participation Fee liability and HP A&M
receivable, collateral stock, and mineral interests received
as a result of settlement of the Arkansas River Agreement
Assets acquired through WISE funding obligation
$
1,407,000
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
53,317,500
$
-
$
-
$
$
1,894,203
1,381,004
$
-
$
-
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements
F-5
PURE CYCLE CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
August 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014
NOTE 1 – ORGANIZATION
Pure Cycle Corporation (the “Company”) was incorporated in Delaware in 1976 and reincorporated in Colorado in
2008. The Company owns assets in the Denver, Colorado metropolitan area. The Company is currently using its
water assets located in the Denver metropolitan area to provide wholesale water and wastewater services to
customers located in the Denver metropolitan area.
The Company provides a full line of wholesale water and wastewater services which includes designing and
constructing water and wastewater systems as well as operating and maintaining such systems. The Company’s
business focus is to provide wholesale water and wastewater services, predominately to local governmental entities,
which provide services to their end-use customers throughout the Denver metropolitan area as well as along the
Colorado Front Range.
The Company believes it has sufficient working capital and financing sources to fund its operations for at least the
next fiscal year. As of August 31, 2016, the Company had $4.7 million of cash and cash equivalents and $28.6
million of working capital.
NOTE 2 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements of the Company include the accounts of Pure Cycle Corporation and its
majority-owned and controlled subsidiaries. Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in
consolidation.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United
States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported
amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could
differ from those estimates.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include all highly liquid debt instruments with original maturities of three months or less.
The Company’s cash equivalents are comprised entirely of money market funds maintained at a reputable financial
institution. At various times during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2016, the Company’s main operating account
exceeded federally insured limits. The Company has never suffered a loss due to such excess balance.
Investments
Management determines the appropriate classification of its investments in certificates of deposit and debt and
equity securities at the time of purchase and reevaluates such determinations each reporting period.
Certificates of deposit and debt securities are classified as held-to-maturity when the Company has the positive
intent and ability to hold the securities to maturity. The Company has $6.9 million of investments classified as held-
to-maturity at August 31, 2016 which represent certificates of deposit and U.S. treasury notes with maturity dates
after August 31, 2017. Debt securities for which the Company does not have the positive intent or ability to hold to
maturity are classified as available-for-sale, along with any investments in equity securities. Securities classified as
available-for-sale are marked-to-market at each reporting period. Changes in value on such securities are recorded as
a component of Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). The cost of securities sold is based on the specific
identification method. The Company’s certificates of deposit and debt securities mature at various dates through
July 23, 2018.
F-6
PURE CYCLE CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
August 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014
Concentration of Credit Risk and Fair Value
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash,
cash equivalents and investments. From time to time, the Company places its cash in money market instruments,
commercial paper obligations, corporate bonds and U.S. government treasury obligations. To date, the Company has
not experienced significant losses on any of these investments.
The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instrument
for which it is practicable to estimate that value.
Cash and Cash Equivalents – The Company’s cash and cash equivalents are reported using the values as reported
by the financial institution where the funds are held. These securities primarily include balances in the Company’s
operating and savings accounts. The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents approximate fair value.
Trade Accounts Receivable – The Company records accounts receivable net of allowances for uncollectible
accounts.
Investments – The carrying amounts of investments approximate fair value. Investments are described further in
Note 3 – Fair Value Measurements.
Accounts Payable – The carrying amounts of accounts payable approximate fair value due to the relatively short
period to maturity for these instruments.
Long-Term Financial Liabilities – The Comprehensive Amendment Agreement No. 1 (the “CAA”) is comprised of
a recorded balance and an off-balance sheet or “contingent” obligation associated with the Company’s acquisition of
its “Rangeview Water Supply” (defined in Note 4 – Water and Land Assets). The amount payable is a fixed amount
but is repayable only upon the sale of “Export Water” (defined in Note 4 – Water and Land Assets). Because of the
uncertainty of the sale of Export Water, the Company has determined that the recorded balance of the CAA does not
have a determinable fair value. The CAA is described further in Note 5 – Participating Interests in Export Water.
Notes Receivable – Related Parties – The market value of the notes receivable – related parties: Rangeview
Metropolitan District (the “District”) and Sky Ranch Metropolitan District No. 5 are not practical to estimate due to
the related party nature of the underlying transactions.
Off-Balance Sheet Instruments – The Company’s off-balance sheet instruments consist entirely of the contingent
portion of the CAA. Because repayment of this portion of the CAA is contingent on the sale of Export Water, which
is not reasonably estimable, the Company has determined that the contingent portion of the CAA does not have a
determinable fair value. See further discussion in Note 5 – Participating Interests in Export Water.
Cash Flows
The Company did not pay any interest during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2016. The Company paid $441,400
and $310,400 in interest during the fiscal years ended August 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
In the fiscal year ended August 31, 2016, the Company paid $292,700 for alternative minimum tax the Company
owed as a result of the sale of the Company’s farm assets. The Company did not pay any income taxes during the
fiscal years ended August 31, 2015 and 2014.
Trade Accounts Receivable
The Company records accounts receivable net of allowances for uncollectible accounts. Excluded in trade accounts
receivable are balances due from discontinued operations. The Company has not recorded an allowance for
uncollectible accounts in receivables from continuing operations for either of the periods ended August 31, 2016 or
2015. The allowance for uncollectible accounts was determined based on specific review of all past due accounts.
F-7
PURE CYCLE CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
August 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014
Long-Lived Assets
The Company reviews its long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate
that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is
measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be
generated by the eventual use of the asset. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be
recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the
assets. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell.
Capitalized Costs of Water and Wastewater Systems and Depreciation and Depletion Charges
Costs to construct water and wastewater systems that meet the Company’s capitalization criteria are capitalized as
incurred, including interest, and depreciated on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives of up to 30
years. The Company capitalizes design and construction costs related to construction activities, and it capitalizes
certain legal, engineering and permitting costs relating to the adjudication and improvement of its water assets.
The Company depletes its water assets that are being utilized on the basis of units produced (i.e., thousands of
gallons sold) divided by the total volume of water adjudicated in the water decrees.
Revenue Recognition
The Company generates revenues through one line of business. Its revenues are derived through its wholesale water
and wastewater business, which is described below.
The Company generates revenues through its wholesale water and wastewater business predominately from three
sources: (i) monthly wholesale water usage fees and wastewater service fees, (ii) one-time water and wastewater tap
fees and construction fees, and (iii) consulting fees. Because these items are separately delivered, the Company
accounts for each of the items separately, as described below.
i) Monthly wholesale water and wastewater service fees – Monthly wholesale water usage charges are
assessed to the Company’s customers based on actual metered usage each month plus a base monthly
service fee assessed per single family equivalent (“SFE”) unit served. One SFE is a customer, whether
residential, commercial or industrial, that imparts a demand on the Company’s water or wastewater systems
similar to the demand of a family of four persons living in a single family house on a standard sized lot.
One SFE is assumed to have a water demand of approximately 0.4 acre feet per year and to contribute
wastewater flows of approximately 300 gallons per day. Water usage pricing uses a tiered pricing structure.
The Company recognizes wholesale water usage revenues upon delivering water to its customers or its
governmental customers’ end-use customers, as applicable. Revenues recognized by the Company from the
sale of “Export Water” are shown gross of royalties to the State of Colorado Board of Land Commissioners
(the “Land Board”). Revenues recognized by the Company from the sale of water on the “Lowry Range”
are shown net of royalties paid to the Land Board and amounts retained by the Rangeview Metropolitan
District (the “District”). See further description of “Export Water” and the “Lowry Range” in Note 4 –
Water and Land Assets under “Rangeview Water Supply and Water System.”
The Company recognizes wastewater processing revenues monthly based on usage. The monthly
wastewater service fees are shown net of amounts retained by the District. Amounts recognized for water
and wastewater services during the fiscal years ended August 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 are presented in the
statements of operations. Costs of delivering water and providing wastewater service to customers are
recognized as incurred.
The Company delivered 33.9 million, 97.5 million and 190.1 million gallons of water to customers during
the fiscal years ended August 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
ii) Water and wastewater tap fees and construction fees – Tap fees, also called system development fees, are
received in advance, are non-refundable and are typically used to fund construction of certain facilities and
defray the acquisition costs of obtaining water rights. Construction fees are fees used by the Company to
F-8
PURE CYCLE CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
August 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014
construct assets that are typically required to be constructed by developers or home builders and are
separate from tap fees.
Proceeds from tap fees and construction fees are deferred upon receipt and recognized in income either
upon completion of construction of infrastructure or ratably over time, depending on whether the Company
owns the infrastructure constructed with the proceeds or a customer owns the infrastructure constructed
with the proceeds.
Tap and construction fees derived from agreements in which the Company will not own the assets
constructed with the fees are recognized as revenue using the percentage-of-completion method. Costs of
construction of the assets when the Company will not own the assets are recorded as construction costs.
Tap and construction fees derived from agreements for which the Company will own the infrastructure are
recognized as revenues ratably over the estimated accounting service life of the facilities constructed,
starting at completion of construction, which could be in excess of 30 years. Costs of construction of the
assets when the Company will own the assets are capitalized and depreciated over their estimated economic
lives.
From time to time, the Company enters into water service agreements to provide water service to
customers. The Company owns the facilities which store, treat, and deliver the water and amortizes the cost
of these facilities over their useful lives. The Company recognized $14,300 of tap fee revenue in each of
the three fiscal years ended August 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014. The Company recognized $41,500 of
“Special Facilities” funding as revenue in each of the three fiscal years ended August 31, 2016, 2015, and
2014. As of August 31, 2016, the Company has deferred recognition of $1.1 million of tap and construction
revenue from customer agreements, which will be recognized as revenue ratably through 2036.
iii) Consulting fees – Consulting fees are fees the Company receives, typically on a monthly basis, from
municipalities and area water providers along the I-70 corridor, for contract operations services.
Royalty and Other Obligations
Revenues from the sale of Export Water are shown gross of royalties payable to the Land Board. Revenues from the
sale of water on the Lowry Range are shown net of the royalties to the Land Board and the amounts retained by the
District.
Oil and Gas Lease Payments
As further described in Note 4 – Water and Land Assets below, on March 10, 2011, the Company entered into a
Paid-Up Oil and Gas Lease (the “O&G Lease”) and a Surface Use and Damage Agreement (the “Surface Use
Agreement”) with Anadarko E&P Company, L.P. (“Anadarko”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Anadarko Petroleum
Company. Pursuant to the O&G Lease, on March 10, 2011, the Company received an up-front payment of
$1,243,400 from Anadarko for the purpose of exploring for, developing, producing and marketing oil and gas on
approximately 634 acres of mineral estate owned by the Company at its Sky Ranch property. In December 2012, the
O&G Lease was purchased by a wholly owned subsidiary of ConocoPhillips Company. The Company received an
additional payment of $1,243,400 during February 2014 to extend the O&G Lease an additional two years through
February 2016, which was recognized as income on a straight-line basis over two years (the extension term of the
O&G Lease). In addition, during the fiscal years ended August 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company received up-front
payments of $72,000 and $12,540, respectively, for the purpose of exploring for, developing, producing, and
marketing oil and gas on 40 acres of mineral estate the Company owns adjacent to the Lowry Range (the
“Rangeview Lease”). The Company recognizes the up-front payments on a straight-line basis over the terms of the
respective leases. During the fiscal years ended August 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, the Company recognized
$360,800, $645,700, and $525,400, respectively, of income related to the up-front payments received pursuant to
these leases.
As of August 31, 2016, the Company has deferred recognition of $19,000 of income related to the Rangeview
Lease, which will be recognized as income ratably through June 2017.
F-9
PURE CYCLE CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
August 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014
During the three months ended February 28, 2015, two wells were drilled within the Company’s mineral interest.
Beginning in March 2015, both wells were placed into service and began producing oil and gas and accruing
royalties to the Company. In May 2015, certain gas collection infrastructure was extended to the property to allow
the collection of gas from the wells and accrual of royalties attributable to gas production. During the fiscal years
ended August 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company received $343,600 and $412,600, respectively, in royalties
attributable to these two wells.
Share-based Compensation
The Company maintains a stock option plan for the benefit of its employees and directors. The Company records
share-based compensation costs which are measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and are
recognized as expense over the applicable vesting period of the stock award using the straight-line method. The
Company has adopted the alternative transition method for calculating the tax effects of share-based compensation
which allows for a simplified method of calculating the tax effects of employee share-based compensation. Because
the Company has a full valuation allowance on its deferred tax assets, the granting and exercise of stock options
during the fiscal years ended August 31, 2016 and 2015 had no impact on the income tax provisions.
The Company recognized $219,900, $240,000, and $251,900 of share-based compensation expenses during the
fiscal years ended August 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
Income Taxes
The Company uses a “more-likely-than-not” threshold for the recognition and de-recognition of tax positions,
including any potential interest and penalties relating to tax positions taken by the Company. The Company does not
have any significant unrecognized tax benefits as of August 31, 2016.
The Company files income tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service and the State of Colorado. The tax years
that remain subject to examination are fiscal 2012 through fiscal 2015. The Company does not believe there will be
any material changes in its unrecognized tax positions over the next 12 months.
The Company’s policy is to recognize interest and penalties accrued on any unrecognized tax benefits as a
component of income tax expense. At August 31, 2016, the Company did not have any accrued interest or penalties
associated with any unrecognized tax benefits, nor was any interest expense recognized during the fiscal years ended
August 31, 2016, 2015 or 2014.
Discontinued Operations
In August 2015, the Company sold approximately 14,600 acres of irrigated farm land and related Arkansas River
water rights, which were substantially all of the assets comprising the Company’s agricultural segment. Pursuant to
the terms of the purchase and sale agreement, the Company continued to manage and receive the lease income until
December 31, 2015. As a consequence of the sale, the operating results and the assets and liabilities of the
discontinued operations, which formerly comprised the agricultural segment, are presented separately in the
Company’s consolidated financial statements. Summarized financial information for the discontinued agricultural
business is shown below. Prior period balances have been reclassified to present the operations of the agricultural
business as a discontinued operation.
F-10
PURE CYCLE CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
August 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014
Discontinued Operations Statements of Operations
Farm revenues
Farm expenses
Gross profit
General and administrative expenses
Impairment of land and water rights held for sale
Operating (loss) profit
Finance charges
(Loss) gain on sale of farm assets
Interest expense (1)
Interest imputed on the Tap Participation
Fee payable to HP A&M (2)
Taxes
Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes
2016
$
Fiscal years ended August 31,
2015
2014
267,472
(77,132)
190,340
$
1,127,155
(126,279)
1,000,876
$
1,068,026
(88,105)
979,921
(313,389)
-
(123,049)
38,428
4,273
-
-
$
(80,348)
$
(760,192)
-
240,684
21,710
(22,108,145)
(390,505)
(23,816)
(292,729)
(22,552,801)
(911,230)
(402,657)
(333,966)
14,392
1,407,326
(239,200)
(1,445,509)
$
(596,957)
(1)
(2)
Interest expense represents interest accrued related to notes the Company had on its farm assets prior to
the sale. All notes associated with the farms have been paid off, and as a result the Company no longer
incurs interest on such notes.
Imputed interest represents an estimate of the interest accrued on the Tap Participation Fee payable to
High Plains A&M, LLC (“HP A&M”), which was eliminated as a result of the settlement with HP A&M
during the three months ended February 28, 2015. As a result, the Company no longer accrues interest
related to the Tap Participation Fee.
The Company anticipates continued expenses through the end of calendar 2016 related to the discontinued
operations. The Company will continue to incur expenses related to the remaining agricultural land the Company
continues to own and for the purpose of collecting outstanding receivables.
The individual assets and liabilities of the discontinued agricultural business are combined in the captions “Assets of
discontinued operations” and “Liabilities of discontinued operations” in the consolidated balance sheets. The
carrying amounts of the major classes of assets and liabilities included part of the discontinued business are
presented in the following table:
Discontinued Operations Balance Sheets
August 31,
2016
2015
Assets:
Trade accounts receivable
Escrow receivable
Land held for sale (1)
Prepaid expenses
Total assets
Liabilities:
Accounts payable
Accrued liabilities
Deferred revenues
Total liabilities
$
$
227,060
-
450,347
2,880
680,287
$
549,993
1,342,250
-
65,309
1,957,552
$
-
$
4,394
-
4,394
$
$
$
25,704
90,725
900
117,329
(1) Land Held for Sale. During the fiscal quarter ended November 30, 2015, the Company purchased three farms
totaling 700 acres for approximately $450,300. The farms were acquired to correct dry-up covenant issues
F-11
PURE CYCLE CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
August 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014
related to water only farms to obtain the release of the escrow funds related to the Company’s farm sale to
Arkansas River Farms, LLC. The Company intends to sell the farms within the next fiscal year.
Loss per Common Share
Loss per common share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of shares outstanding
during each period. Common stock options and warrants aggregating 338,100, 312,100, and 315,100 common share
equivalents as of August 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively, have been excluded from the calculation of loss per
common share as their effect is anti-dilutive.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
The Company continually assesses any new accounting pronouncements to determine their applicability. When it is
determined that a new accounting pronouncement affects the Company’s financial reporting, the Company
undertakes a study to determine the consequence of the change to its consolidated financial statements and ensure
that there are proper controls in place to ascertain that the Company’s consolidated financial statements properly
reflect the change. New pronouncements assessed by the Company recently are discussed below:
In May 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”)
No. 2016-12, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical
Expedients. ASU 2016-12 provides for amendments to ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers,
amending the guidance on transition, collectability, noncash consideration and the presentation of sales and other
similar taxes. Specifically, ASU 2016-12 clarifies that, for a contract to be considered completed at transition, all (or
substantially all) of the revenue must have been recognized under legacy GAAP. In addition, ASU 2016-12 clarifies
how an entity should evaluate the collectability threshold and when an entity can recognize nonrefundable
consideration received as revenue if an arrangement does not meet the standard’s contract criteria. ASU 2016-12 is
effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim reporting periods within
that reporting period. Early adoption is permitted only for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15,
2016, including interim periods within that period. The Company is assessing the impact of ASU 2016-12, but it
does not expect the adoption of ASU 2016-12 to have a material impact on its financial statements.
In April 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-10, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606):
Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing. ASU 2016-10 provides for amendments to ASU No. 2014-09,
Revenue from Contracts with Customers, reducing the complexity when applying the guidance for identifying
performance obligations and improving the operability and understandability of the license implementation
guidance. ASU 2016-10 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including
interim reporting periods within that reporting period. Early adoption is permitted only for annual reporting periods
beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that period. The Company is assessing the
impact of ASU 2016-10, but it does not expect the adoption of ASU 2016-10 to have a material impact on its
financial statements.
In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-08, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Principal
versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net). ASU 2016-08 provides for amendments to
ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, clarifying the implementation guidance on principal
versus agent considerations in the new revenue recognition standard. Specifically, ASU 2016-08 clarifies how an
entity should identify the unit of accounting (i.e., the specified good or service) for the principal versus agent
evaluation and how it should apply the control principle to certain types of arrangements. ASU 2016- is effective for
annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim reporting periods within that
reporting period. Early adoption is permitted only for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016,
including interim periods within that period. The Company is assessing the impact of ASU 2016-08, but it does not
expect the adoption of ASU 2016-08 to have a material impact on its financial statements.
In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-08, Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property,
Plant, and Equipment (Topic 360): Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of
F-12
PURE CYCLE CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
August 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014
Components of an Entity. ASU 2014-08 changes the presentation and disclosure requirements for discontinued
operations. The update was adopted by the Company in fiscal year 2016.
NOTE 3 – FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly
transaction between market participants at the measurement date in the principal or most advantageous market. The
Company uses a fair value hierarchy that has three levels of inputs, both observable and unobservable, with use of
the lowest possible level of input to determine fair value.
Level 1 — Valuations for assets and liabilities traded in active exchange markets, such as the NASDAQ Stock
Market. The Company had one of these assets and no liabilities as of August 31, 2016. The Company had no Level
1 assets or liabilities as of August 31, 2015.
Level 2 — Valuations for assets and liabilities obtained from readily available pricing sources via independent
providers for market transactions involving similar assets or liabilities. The Company had 36 Level 2 assets as of
August 31, 2016, which consist of certificates of deposit and U.S. treasury notes. The Company had no Level 2
assets or liabilities as of August 31, 2015.
Level 3 — Valuations for assets and liabilities that are derived from other valuation methodologies, including
discounted cash flow models and similar techniques, and not based on market exchange, dealer, or broker-traded
transactions. Level 3 valuations incorporate certain assumptions and projections in determining the fair value
assigned to such assets or liabilities. The Company had no Level 3 assets or liabilities as of August 31, 2016 or
2015.
The Company maintains policies and procedures to value instruments using what management believes to be the
best and most relevant data available.
Level 2 Asset – Available for Sale Securities. The Company’s available for sale securities are the Company’s only
financial asset measured at fair value on a recurring basis. The fair value of the available for sale securities is based
on the values reported by the financial institutions where the funds are held. These securities include only federally
insured certificates of deposit.
The following table provides information on the assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as
of August 31, 2016:
Fair Value Measurement Using:
Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
$ 4,184,900
$
-
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
$
-
$
23,176,500
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
$
-
$
-
Accumulated
Unrealized
Gains and
(Losses)
$
-
$
3,100
Money market
Available for sale
Fair Value
$ 4,184,900
$
23,176,500
Cost / Other
Value
$ 4,184,900
$
23,173,400
NOTE 4 – WATER AND LAND ASSETS
The Company’s water and water systems consist of the following approximate costs and accumulated depreciation
and depletion as of August 31:
F-13
PURE CYCLE CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
August 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014
August 31, 2016
August 31, 2015
Costs
Accumulated
Depreciation
and Depletion
$ 14,444,600 $ (9,400)
6,607,400
(334,500)
(886,800)
2,899,900
(152,800)
1,624,800
3,703,000
(297,800)
723,500
30,003,200
$ 28,321,900
(1,681,300)
-
Accumulated
Depreciation
and Depletion
$ (8,800)
(194,600)
(798,700)
(110,300)
(193,900)
-
(1,306,300)
Costs
$ 14,444,600
6,440,800
2,899,900
1,256,300
3,649,800
323,500
29,014,900
$ 27,708,600
Rangeview water supply
Sky Ranch water rights and other costs
Fairgrounds water and water system
Rangeview water system
Water supply – other
Construction in progress
Totals
Net investments in water and water systems
Depletion and Depreciation
The Company recorded $500, $7,000, and $4,400 of depletion charges during the fiscal years ended August 31,
2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2016, this related entirely to the
Rangeview Water Supply (defined below), and during the fiscal years ended August 31, 2015 and 2014, this related
to the Rangeview Water Supply and the Sky Ranch water supply (discussed below).
The Company recorded $419,600, $340,300 and $192,200 of depreciation expense in each of the fiscal years ended
August 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. These figures include depreciation for other equipment not included
in the table above.
Rangeview Water Supply and Water System
The “Rangeview Water Supply” consists of 22,985 acre feet and is a combination of tributary surface water and
groundwater rights along with certain storage rights associated with the Lowry Range, a 27,000-acre property owned
by the Land Board located 16 miles southeast of Denver, Colorado. Approximately $14.4 million of Investments in
Water and Water Systems on the Company’s balance sheet as of August 31, 2016, represents the costs of assets
acquired or facilities constructed to extend water service to customers located on and off the Lowry Range. The
recorded costs of the Rangeview Water Supply include payments to the sellers of the Rangeview Water Supply,
design and construction costs and certain direct costs related to improvements to the asset including legal and
engineering fees.
The Company acquired the Rangeview Water Supply beginning in 1996 when:
(i) The District entered into the 1996 Amended and Restated Lease Agreement with the Land Board, which owns
the Lowry Range;
(ii) The Company entered into the Agreement for Sale of Export Water with the District;
(iii) The Company entered into the 1996 Service Agreement with the District for the provision of water service to
the Lowry Range; and
(iv)
In 1997, the Company entered into the Wastewater Service Agreement with the District for the provision of
wastewater service to the District’s service area.
In July 2014, the Company, the District and the Land Board entered into the 2014 Amended and Restated Lease (the
“Lease”), which superseded the original 1996 lease, and the Company and the District entered into an Amended and
Restated Service Agreement. Collectively, the foregoing agreements, as amended, are referred to as the “Rangeview
Water Agreements.”
Pursuant to the Rangeview Water Agreements, the Company owns 11,650 acre feet of water consisting of 10,000
acre feet of groundwater and 1,650 acre feet of average yield surface water which can be exported off the Lowry
F-14
PURE CYCLE CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
August 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014
Range to serve area users (referred to as “Export Water”). The 1,650 acre feet of surface rights are subject to
completion of documentation by the Land Board related to the Company’s exercise of its right to substitute an
aggregate gross volume of 165,000 acre feet of its groundwater for 1,650 acre feet per year of adjudicated surface
water and to use this surface water as Export Water. Additionally, assuming completion of the substitution of
groundwater for surface water, the Company has the exclusive right to provide water and wastewater service,
through 2081, to all water users on the Lowry Range and the right to develop an additional 12,035 acre feet of
groundwater and 1,650 acre feet of adjudicated surface water to serve customers either on or off the Lowry Range.
The Rangeview Water Agreements also provide for the Company to use surface reservoir storage capacity in
providing water service to customers both on and off the Lowry Range.
Services on the Lowry Range – Pursuant to the Rangeview Water Agreements, the Company designs, finances,
constructs, operates and maintains the District’s water and wastewater systems to provide service to the District’s
customers on the Lowry Range. The Company will operate both the water and the wastewater systems during the
contract period, and the District owns both systems. After 2081, ownership of the water system will revert to the
Land Board, with the District retaining ownership of the wastewater system.
Rates and charges for all water and wastewater services on the Lowry Range, including tap fees and usage or
monthly fees, are governed by the terms of the Rangeview Water Agreements. Rates and charges are required to be
less than the average of similar rates and charges of three surrounding municipal water and wastewater service
providers, which are reassessed annually. Pursuant to the Rangeview Water Agreements the Land Board receives a
royalty of 10% or 12% of gross revenues from the sale or disposition of the water depending on the purchaser of the
water, except that the royalty on tap fees shall be 2% (other than taps sold for Sky Ranch which are exempt). The
Company also is required to pay the Land Board a minimum annual water production fee, which will offset future
royalty obligations. The Company and the Land Board are working cooperatively to clarify the calculation of the
minimum annual production fee. Pursuant to the Company’s determination, the Company has made payments of
$45,600 for each of the past two years. The Company does not anticipate any modification to the minimum fee to be
material. The District retains 2% of the remaining gross revenues and the Company receives 98% of the remaining
gross revenues after the Land Board royalty. The Land Board does not receive a royalty on wastewater fees. The
Company receives 100% of the District’s wastewater tap fees and 90% of the District’s wastewater usage fees (the
District retains the other 10%).
Export Water – The Company owns the Export Water and intends to use it to provide water and wastewater services
to customers off the Lowry Range. The Company will own all wholesale facilities required to extend water and
wastewater services using its Export Water. The Company anticipates contracting with third parties for the
construction of these facilities. If the Company sells water, the Company is required to pay royalties to the Land
Board ranging from 10% to 12% of gross revenues.
The Arapahoe County Fairgrounds Water and Water System
The Company owns 321 acre feet of groundwater purchased pursuant to its agreement with Arapahoe County. The
Company plans to use this water in conjunction with its Rangeview Water Rights in providing water to areas outside
the Lowry Range. The $2.9 million of capitalized costs includes the costs to construct various Wholesale and
Special Facilities, including a new deep water well, a 500,000-gallon water tank and pipelines to transport water to
the Arapahoe County fairgrounds.
Sky Ranch
In 2010, the Company purchased approximately 931 acres of undeveloped land known as Sky Ranch. The property
includes the rights to approximately 830 acre feet of water.
Total consideration for the land and water included the $7.0 million purchase price, plus direct costs and fees of
$554,100. The Company allocated the total acquisition cost to the land and water rights based on estimates of each
asset’s respective fair value.
O&G Lease – On March 10, 2011, the Company entered into the O&G Lease and the Surface Use Agreement with
Anadarko. Pursuant to the O&G Lease, the Company received an up-front payment of $1,243,400 from Anadarko
for the purpose of exploring for, developing, producing and marketing oil and gas on 634 acres of mineral estate
owned by the Company at its Sky Ranch property. The Company also received $9,000 in surface use and damage
F-15
PURE CYCLE CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
August 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014
payments. In December 2012, the O&G Lease was purchased by a wholly owned subsidiary of ConocoPhillips
Company. The Company received an additional payment of $1,243,400 during February 2014 to extend the O&G
Lease an additional two years through February 2016. The O&G Lease is now held by production entitling the
Company to royalties based on production.
NOTE 5 – PARTICIPATING INTERESTS IN EXPORT WATER
The Company acquired its Rangeview Water Supply through various amended agreements entered into in the early
1990s. The acquisition was consummated with the signing of the CAA in 1996. Upon entering into the CAA, the
Company recorded an initial liability of $11.1 million, which represented the cash the Company received from the
participating interest holders that was used to purchase the Company’s Export Water (described in greater detail in
Note 4 – Water and Land Assets). The Company agreed to remit a total of $31.8 million of proceeds received from
the sale of Export Water to the participating interest holders in return for their initial $11.1 million investment. The
obligation for the $11.1 million was recorded as debt, and the remaining $20.7 million contingent liability was not
reflected on the Company’s balance sheet because the obligation to pay this is contingent on the sale of Export
Water, the amounts and timing of which are not reasonably determinable.
The CAA obligation is non-interest bearing, and if the Export Water is not sold, the parties to the CAA have no
recourse against the Company. If the Company does not sell the Export Water, the holders of the Series B Preferred
Stock are also not entitled to payment of any dividend and have no contractual recourse against the Company.
As the proceeds from the sale of Export Water are received and the amounts are remitted to the external CAA
holders, the Company allocates a ratable percentage of this payment to the principal portion (the Participating
Interests in Export Water Supply liability account), with the balance of the payment being charged to the contingent
obligation portion. Because the original recorded liability, which was $11.1 million, was 35% of the original total
liability of $31.8 million, approximately 35% of each payment remitted to the CAA holders is allocated to the
recorded liability account. The remaining portion of each payment, or approximately 65%, is allocated to the
contingent obligation, which is recorded on a net revenue basis.
From time to time, the Company repurchased various portions of the CAA obligations, which retained their original
priority. The Company did not make any CAA acquisitions during the fiscal years ended August 31, 2016 or 2015.
In July 2014, the Land Board relinquished its approximately $2.4 million of CAA interests to the Company as part
of a settlement of the 2011 lawsuit filed by the Company and the District against the Land Board.
As a result of the acquisitions, the relinquishment by the Land Board, and the sale of Export Water, as detailed in the
table below, the remaining potential third-party obligation at August 31, 2016, is approximately $1 million:
F-16
(23,800)
(55,800)
(34,300)
354,600
(8,600)
346,000
(44,300)
(104,100)
(64,400)
697,500
(16,100)
681,400
PURE CYCLE CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
August 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014
Original balances
Export Water
Proceeds
Received
$ –
Initial Export
Water Proceeds
to Pure Cycle
$
218,500
Total Potential
Third-party
Obligation
$
31,807,700
Participating
Interests
Liability
11,090,600
$
Contingency
$
20,717,100
Activity from inception until August 31, 2014:
Acquisitions
–
30,428,900
(30,428,900)
(10,622,100)
(19,806,800)
Option payments - Sky Ranch
and The Hills at Sky Ranch
Arapahoe County tap fees (1)
Export Water sale payments
110,400
533,000
361,500
(42,300)
(373,100)
(262,800)
(68,100)
(159,900)
(98,700)
Balance at August 31, 2014
1,004,900
29,969,200
1,052,100
Fiscal 2015 activity:
Export Water sale payments
Balance at August 31, 2015
Fiscal 2016 activity:
Export Water sale payments
Balance at August 31, 2016
207,900
1,212,800
(183,200)
(24,700)
29,786,000
1,027,400
49,200
1,262,000
$
(43,300)
29,742,700
$
(5,900)
1,021,500
$
(2,000)
344,000
$
(3,900)
677,500
$
(1) The Arapahoe County tap fees are less $34,522 in royalties paid to the Land Board.
The CAA includes contractually established priorities which call for payments to CAA holders in order of their
priority. This means the first payees receive their full payment before the next priority level receives any payment
and so on until full repayment. The Company will receive approximately $6 million of the first priority payout (the
remaining entire first priority payout totals approximately $6.8 million as of August 31, 2016).
NOTE 6 – ACCRUED LIABILITIES
At August 31, 2016, the Company had accrued liabilities of $242,600, of which $160,000 was for accrued
compensation, $5,700 was for estimated property taxes, $48,000 was for professional fees and the remaining
$28,900 was related to operating payables.
At August 31, 2015, the Company had accrued liabilities of $499,800, of which $400,000 was for accrued
compensation, $4,800 was for estimated property taxes, $52,500 was for professional fees and the remaining
$42,500 was related to operating payables.
NOTE 7 – LONG-TERM DEBT AND OPERATING LEASE
As of August 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company had no debt.
The Participating Interests in Export Water Supply are obligations of the Company that have no scheduled maturity
dates. Therefore, these liabilities are not disclosed in tabular format. However, the Participating Interests in Export
Water Supply are described in Note 5 – Participating Interests in Export Water.
WISE Partnership
During December 2014, the Company, through the District, consented to the waiver of all contingencies set forth in
the Amended and Restated WISE Partnership – Water Delivery Agreement, dated December 31, 2013 (the “WISE
Partnership Agreement”), among the City and County of Denver acting through its Board of Water Commissioners
(“Denver Water”), the City of Aurora acting by and through its Utility Enterprise (“Aurora Water”), and the South
Metro WISE Authority (“SMWA”). The SMWA was formed by the District and nine other governmental or quasi-
governmental water providers pursuant to the South Metro WISE Authority Formation and Organizational
Intergovernmental Agreement, dated December 31, 2013 (the “SM IGA”), to enable the members of SMWA to
participate in the regional water supply project known as the Water Infrastructure Supply Efficiency partnership
(“WISE”) created by the WISE Partnership Agreement. The SM IGA specifies each member’s pro rata share of
F-17
PURE CYCLE CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
August 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014
WISE and the members’ rights and obligations with respect to WISE. The WISE Partnership Agreement provides
for the purchase of certain infrastructure (i.e., pipelines, water storage facilities, water treatment facilities, and other
appurtenant facilities) to deliver water to and among the 10 members of the SMWA, Denver Water and Aurora
Water. Certain infrastructure has been constructed and other infrastructure will be constructed over the next several
years.
By consenting to the waiver of the contingencies set forth in the WISE Partnership Agreement, pursuant to the terms
of the Rangeview/Pure Cycle WISE Project Financing Agreement (the “WISE Financing Agreement”) between the
Company and the District, the Company has an agreement to fund the District’s participation in WISE effective as
of December 22, 2014. The Company’s cost of funding the District’s purchase of its share of existing infrastructure
and future infrastructure for WISE and funding operations and water deliveries related to WISE is projected to be
approximately $5.6 million over the next five years. See further discussion in Note 14 – Related Party Transactions.
Operating Lease
Effective January 2016, the Company entered into an operating lease for approximately 2,500 square feet of office
and warehouse space. The lease has a one-year term with payments of $3,000 per month.
NOTE 8 – SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Preferred Stock
The Company’s non-voting Series B Preferred Stock has a preference in liquidation of $1.00 per share less any
dividends previously paid. Additionally, the Series B Preferred Stock is redeemable at the discretion of the
Company for $1.00 per share less any dividends previously paid. In the event that the Company’s proceeds from
sale or disposition of Export Water rights exceed $36,026,232, the Series B Preferred Stock holders will receive the
next $432,513 of proceeds in the form of a dividend.
Equity Compensation Plan
The Company maintains the 2014 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2014 Equity Plan”), which was approved by
shareholders in January 2014 and became effective April 12, 2014. Executives, eligible employees, consultants and
non-employee directors are eligible to receive options and stock grants pursuant to the 2014 Equity Plan. Pursuant to
the 2014 Equity Plan, options to purchase shares of stock and restricted stock awards can be granted with exercise
prices, vesting conditions and other performance criteria determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board.
The Company has reserved 1.6 million shares of common stock for issuance under the 2014 Equity Plan. Awards to
purchase 62,000 shares of the Company’s common stock have been made under the 2014 Equity Plan. Prior to the
effective date of the 2014 Equity Plan, the Company granted stock awards to eligible participants under its 2004
Incentive Plan (the “2004 Incentive Plan”), which expired April 11, 2014. No additional awards may be granted
pursuant to the 2004 Incentive Plan; however, awards outstanding as of April 11, 2014, will continue to vest and
expire and may be exercised in accordance with the terms of the 2004 Incentive Plan.
The Company estimates the fair value of share-based payment awards on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes
option-pricing model (“Black-Scholes model”). Using the Black-Scholes model, the value of the portion of the
award that is ultimately expected to vest is recognized as a period expense over the requisite service period in the
statement of operations. Option forfeitures are to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in
subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. The Company does not expect any forfeiture of
its option grants and therefore the compensation expense has not been reduced for estimated forfeitures. During
fiscal year 2015, 12,500 options expired and 16,500 were exercised. During fiscal year 2016, 10,000 options
expired. The Company attributes the value of share-based compensation to expense using the straight-line single
option method for all options granted.
The Company’s determination of the estimated fair value of share-based payment awards on the date of grant is
affected by the following variables and assumptions:
The grant date exercise price – is the closing market price of the Company’s common stock on the date of
grant;
F-18
PURE CYCLE CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
August 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014
Estimated option lives – based on historical experience with existing option holders;
Estimated dividend rates – based on historical and anticipated dividends over the life of the option;
Life of the option – based on historical experience option grants have lives between 8 and 10 years;
Risk-free interest rates – with maturities that approximate the expected life of the options granted;
Calculated stock price volatility – calculated over the expected life of the options granted, which is
calculated based on the weekly closing price of the Company’s common stock over a period equal to the
expected life of the option; and
Option exercise behaviors – based on actual and projected employee stock option exercises and forfeitures.
In January 2016, the Company granted its non-employee directors options to purchase a combined 36,000 shares of
the Company’s common stock pursuant to the 2014 Equity Plan. Options for 26,000 shares vest one year after the
date of grant, and options for 10,000 shares vest one-half one year after the date of grant and one-half two years after
the date of grant. All of the options expire 10 years after the date of grant. The Company calculated the fair value of
the options granted during January 2016 at approximately $104,100, using the Black Scholes model with the
following variables: weighted average exercise price of $4.26 (which was the closing sales price of the Company’s
common stock on the date of grant); estimated option lives of 10 years; weighted average risk free interest rate of
2.06%; weighted average stock price volatility of 58.26%; and an estimated forfeiture rate of 0%. The $104,100 of
stock-based compensation is being expensed monthly over the vesting periods.
In January 2015, the Company granted its non-employee directors options to purchase a combined 26,000 shares of
the Company’s common stock pursuant to the 2014 Equity Plan. The options vest one year after the date of grant
and expire 10 years after the date of grant. The Company calculated the fair value of the options granted during
January 2015 at approximately $72,000, using the Black Scholes model with the following variables: weighted
average exercise price of $4.17 (which was the closing sales price of the Company’s common stock on the date of
grant); estimated option lives of 10 years; weighted average risk free interest rate of 1.77%; weighted average stock
price volatility of 57.45%; and an estimated forfeiture rate of 0%. The $72,000 of stock-based compensation is being
expensed monthly over the vesting periods.
In January 2014, the Company granted its non-employee directors options to purchase a combined 32,500 shares of
the Company’s common stock pursuant to the 2004 Incentive Plan. The options vest one year after the date of grant
and expire 10 years after the date of grant. The Company calculated the fair value of these options at $132,900 using
the Black-Scholes model with the following variables: weighted average exercise price of $6.08 (which was the
closing sales price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant); estimated option lives of 10 years;
estimated dividend rate of 0%; weighted average risk-free interest rate of 1.84%; weighted average stock price
volatility of 63.6%; and an estimated forfeiture rate of 0%. The $132,900 of stock-based compensation was being
expensed monthly over the vesting periods.
During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2015, 16,500 options were exercised. No options were exercised during the
fiscal years ended August 31, 2016 or 2014.
The following table summarizes the stock option activity for the combined 2004 Incentive Plan and 2014 Equity
Plan for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2016:
F-19
PURE CYCLE CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
August 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014
Outstanding at beginning of period
Granted
Exercised
Forfeited or expired
Outstanding at August 31, 2016
Number of
Options
Weighted-
Average
Exercise Price
$
5.10
$
4.26
- $ -
$ 13.25
$
4.77
312,000
36,000
(10,000)
338,000
Options exercisable at August 31, 2016
302,000
$
4.83
Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term
Approximate
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
5.68
5.36
$
248,000
$
227,100
The following table summarizes the activity and value of non-vested options as of and for the fiscal year ended
August 31, 2016:
Non-vested options outstanding at beginning of period
Granted
Vested
Forfeited
Non-vested options outstanding at August 31, 2016
Number of
Options
59,333
36,000
(59,333)
-
36,000
Weighted-
Average Grant
Date Fair
Value
$
3.66
2.89
3.66
-
2.89
$
All non-vested options are expected to vest. The total fair value of options vested during the fiscal years ended
August 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 was $216,900, $280,700 and $219,200, respectively. The weighted average grant
date fair value of options granted during the fiscal years ended August 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 was $2.89, $2.78,
and $4.09, respectively.
Share-based compensation expense for the fiscal years ended August 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, was $219,900,
$240,000, and $251,900, respectively.
At August 31, 2016, the Company had unrecognized expenses relating to non-vested options that are expected to
vest totaling $51,400. The weighted-average period over which these options are expected to vest is less than three
years. The Company has not recorded any excess tax benefits to additional paid in capital.
Warrants
As of August 31, 2016, the Company had outstanding warrants to purchase 92 shares of common stock at an
exercise price of $1.80 per share. These warrants expire six months from the earlier of:
(i) The date all of the Export Water is sold or otherwise disposed of,
(ii) The date the CAA is terminated with respect to the original holder of the warrant, or
(iii) The date on which the Company makes the final payment pursuant to Section 2.1(r) of the CAA.
No warrants were exercised during fiscal 2016, 2015 or 2014.
NOTE 9 – SIGNIFICANT CUSTOMERS
The Company sells wholesale water and wastewater services to the District pursuant to the Rangeview Water
Agreements. Sales to the District accounted for 67%, 19% and 9% of the Company’s total water and wastewater
revenues for the fiscal years ended August 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The District had one significant
F-20
PURE CYCLE CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
August 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014
customer, the Ridgeview Youth Services Center. Pursuant to the Rangeview Water Agreements, the Company is
providing water and wastewater services to this customer on behalf of the District. The District’s significant
customer accounted for 55%, 16%, and 7% of the Company’s total water and wastewater revenues for the fiscal
years ended August 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
Revenues from another customer directly and indirectly represented approximately less than 1%, 75% and 88% of
the Company’s water and wastewater revenues for the fiscal years ended August 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014,
respectively.
The Company had accounts receivable from the District which accounted for 74% and 87% of the Company’s water
and wastewater trade receivables balances at August 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Accounts receivable from the
District’s largest customer accounted for 63% and 77% of the Company’s water and wastewater trade receivables as
of August 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
NOTE 10 – INCOME TAXES
Deferred income taxes reflect the tax effects of net operating loss carryforwards and temporary differences between
the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax
purposes. Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets as of August 31 are as follows:
Deferred tax assets:
Net operating loss carryforwards
Deferred revenue
Depreciation and depletion
Other
Valuation allowance
Net deferred tax asset
For the Fiscal Years Ended August 31,
2016
2015
$ 2,393,200
344,300
247,400
65,600
(3,050,500)
$ -
$ 1,816,200
503,300
320,300
34,200
(2,674,000)
$ -
The Company has recorded a valuation allowance against the deferred tax assets as the Company is unable to
reasonably determine if it is more likely than not that deferred tax assets will ultimately be realized.
Income taxes computed using the federal statutory income tax rate differs from our effective tax rate primarily due
to the following for the fiscal years ended August 31:
Expected benefit from federal taxes at statutory rate of 34%
State taxes, net of federal benefit
Expiration of net operating losses
Permanent and other differences
Change in valuation allowance
Total income tax expense / (benefit)
For the Fiscal Years Ended August 31,
2015
2014
$
2016
(420,300)
(40,700)
-
84,500
376,500
-
$
$
(195,500)
(19,000)
-
91,900
122,600
$
-
$
97,100
9,400
89,400
96,500
(292,400)
-
$
At August 31, 2016, the Company has $6.5 million of net operating loss carryforwards available for income tax
purposes, which expire between fiscal 2032 and 2036. Utilization of these net operating loss carryforwards may be
subject to substantial annual ownership change limitations provided by the Internal Revenue Code. Such an annual
limitation could result in the expiration of the net operating loss carryforwards before utilization.
No net operating loss carryforwards expired during the fiscal years ended August 31, 2016 or 2015. Net operating
loss carryforwards of $239,600 expired during the fiscal year ended August 2014.
F-21
PURE CYCLE CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
August 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014
NOTE 11 – 401(k) PLAN
The Company maintains a Pure Cycle Corporation 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan (the “Plan”), a defined contribution
retirement plan for the benefit of its employees. The Plan is currently a salary deferral only plan, and at this time the
Company does not match employee contributions. The Company pays the annual administrative fees of the Plan,
and the Plan participants pay the investment fees. The Plan is open to all employees, age 21 or older, who have been
employees of the Company for at least six months. During the fiscal years ended August 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014,
the Company paid fees of $5,000, $3,800 and $3,600, respectively, for the administration of the Plan.
NOTE 12 – LITIGATION LOSS CONTINGENCIES
The Company has historically been involved in various claims, litigation and other legal proceedings that arise in the
ordinary course of its business. The Company records an accrual for a loss contingency when its occurrence is
probable and damages can be reasonably estimated based on the anticipated most likely outcome or the minimum
amount within a range of possible outcomes. The Company makes such estimates based on information known
about the claims and experience in contesting, litigating and settling similar claims. Disclosures are also provided
for reasonably possible losses that could have a material effect on the Company’s financial position, results of
operations or cash flows.
NOTE 13 – SEGMENT REPORTING
Prior to the sale of the Company’s agricultural assets and the residual operations through December 31, 2015, the
Company operated primarily in two lines of business: (i) the wholesale water and wastewater business and (ii) the
agricultural farming business. The Company has discontinued its agricultural farming operations. Currently the
Company operates its wholesale water and wastewater services segment as its only line of business. The wholesale
water and wastewater services business includes selling water service to customers, which is then provided by the
Company using water rights owned or controlled by the Company and developing infrastructure to divert, treat and
distribute that water and collect, treat and reuse wastewater.
NOTE 14 – RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
On December 16, 2009, the Company entered into a Participation Agreement with the District, whereby the
Company agreed to provide funding to the District in connection with the District joining the South Metro Water
Supply Authority (“SMWSA”). The Company provided funding of $113,600, $78,600, and $114,900 for the fiscal
years ended August 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014, respectively.
Through the WISE Financing Agreement, to date the Company made payments of $2,870,500 to purchase certain
rights to use existing water transmission and related infrastructure acquired by the WISE project and to construct the
connection to the WISE system. The amounts are included as Investments in Water and Water Systems on the
Company’s balance sheet as of August 31, 2016. The Company anticipates spending the following over the next five
fiscal years to fund the District’s purchase of its share of the water transmission line and additional facilities, water
and related assets for WISE and to fund operations and water deliveries related to WISE:
Estimated WISE Costs
Operations
Water Delivery
Capital
Other
$
$
2017
96,600
45,000
464,000
43,500
649,100
$
$
2020
2019
$
For the Fiscal Years Ended August 31,
2018
96,600
225,000
339,000
23,600
684,200
96,600
675,000
1,339,200
23,600
2,134,400
96,600
495,000
464,000
86,600
1,142,200
$
$
$
$
2021
96,600
855,000
57,100
23,600
1,032,300
$
The Company has outstanding loans of $800,400 to the District and Sky Ranch Metropolitan District No. 5, which
are both related parties, as discussed below:
F-22
PURE CYCLE CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
August 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014
The District
In 1995, the Company extended a loan to the District. The loan provided for borrowings of up to $250,000, is
unsecured, and bears interest based on the prevailing prime rate plus 2% (5.5% at August 31, 2016). The maturity
date of the loan is December 31, 2020. Beginning in January 2014, the District and the Company entered into a
funding agreement that allows the Company to continue to provide funding to the District for day-to-day operations
and accrue the funding into a note that bears interest at a rate of 8% per annum and remains in full force and effect
for so long as the 2014 Amended and Restated Lease Agreement remains in effect. The $628,500 balance of the
notes receivable at August 31, 2016, includes borrowings of $260,200 and accrued interest of $368,300. The
$591,200 balance of the notes receivable at August 31, 2015, includes borrowings of $237,000 and accrued interest
of $354,200.
Sky Ranch Metropolitan District No. 5
Each year, beginning in 2012, the Company has entered into an Operation Funding Agreement with Sky Ranch
Metropolitan District No. 5 obligating the Company to advance funding to the district for the district’s operations
and maintenance expenses for the then current calendar year. The District is expected to repay the amounts
advanced pursuant to the funding agreements from future revenues from property tax assessments. All payments are
subject to annual appropriations by the district in its absolute discretion. The advances by the Company accrue
interest at a rate of 8% per annum from the date of the advance.
In November 2014, but effective as of January 1, 2014, the Company entered into a Facilities Funding and
Acquisition Agreement with Sky Ranch Metropolitan District No. 5 obligating the Company to either finance
district improvements or to construct improvements on behalf of the district subject to reimbursement.
Improvements subject to this agreement are determined pursuant to a mutually agreed upon budget. Each year in
September, the parties are to mutually determine the improvements required for the following year and finalize a
budget by the end of October. Each advance or reimbursable expense accrues interest at a rate of 6% per annum. No
payments are required by the district unless and until the district issues bonds in an amount sufficient to reimburse
the Company for all or a portion of the advances and costs incurred.
Pursuant to the Operation Funding Agreements and the Facilities Funding and Acquisition Agreement, the
Company has provided funding to the district in the amounts of $8,500, $97,500 and $50,900 for fiscal years 2016,
2015 and 2014, respectively. The $171,900 balance of the receivable at August 31, 2016, includes advances of
$156,900 and accrued interest of $15,000. Upon the district’s ratification of the advances and related expenditures,
the amount was reclassified to long-term and is recorded as part of Notes receivable – related parties.
NOTE 15 – UNAUDITED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA
Quarterly results of operations
2016
Three months ended
29 Feb
31 May
30 Nov
31 Aug
30 Nov
2015
Three months ended
28 Feb
31 May
31 Aug
Total revenues
Gross margin
Operating loss
Net income (loss)
$
$
$
126
(7)
(472)
(97)
76
(44)
(557)
(271)
$
$
$
$
(In thousands, except per share data)
101
$
(34)
(533)
(422)
149
8
(618)
(521)
570
373
47
10
$
$
$
$
372
217
(324)
(86)
$
$
120
(19)
(448)
30
135
(134)
(952)
(23,082)
$
$
Basic and diluted
*
income (loss) per share
* Amount is less than $.01 per share
$
(0.01)
$
(0.02)
$
(0.03)
*
*
*
$
(0.96)
The following item had a significant impact on the Company’s net income (loss):
F-23
PURE CYCLE CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
August 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014
In August 2015, the Company sold its remaining farm portfolio. The Company recognized a loss of $22.1
million.
F-24
Item 9 – Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
There were no changes in or disagreements with accountants on accounting and financial disclosures.
Item 9A – Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
(a)
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Exchange Act)
that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted to the SEC
under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the
SEC’s rules and forms, and that information is accumulated and communicated to management, including the
principal executive and financial officer as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.
The President and Chief Financial Officer evaluated the effectiveness of disclosure controls and procedures as of
August 31, 2016, pursuant to Rule 13a-15(b) under the Exchange Act. Based on that evaluation, the President and
Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company’s disclosure
controls and procedures were effective. A system of controls, no matter how well designed and operated, cannot
provide absolute assurance that the objectives of the system of controls are met, and no evaluation of controls can
provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within a company have been
detected.
(b)
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as
defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act. The Exchange Act defines internal control over financial
reporting as a process designed by, or under the supervision of, our executive and principal financial officers and
effected by our board of directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the
reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with
GAAP and includes those policies and procedures that:
Pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions
and dispositions of our assets;
Provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial
statements in accordance with GAAP, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in
accordance with authorizations of our management and our directors; and
Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or
disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems
determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and
presentation. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that
controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or that the degree of compliance with the policies
or procedures may deteriorate.
Management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of August 31, 2016. In
making this assessment, we used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the
Treadway Commission (“COSO”) in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (“2013 COSO Framework”). Based
on our assessment, we determined that, as of August 31, 2016, our internal control over financial reporting was
effective based on those criteria.
(c)
Report of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of August 31, 2016, has been audited by
GHP Horwath, P.C., an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in its attestation report which is
included in “Item 8. Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Annual Report on
Form 10-K.
39
(d) Changes in Internal Controls
No changes were made to our internal control over financial reporting during our most recently completed fiscal
quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial
reporting.
Item 9B – Other Information
None.
PART III
Item 10 – Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Our board of directors has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics applicable to all of our directors, officers
and employees, which is available on our website at www.purecyclewater.com. We intend to disclose any
amendments to or waivers from the provisions of our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that are applicable to our
principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer and that relate to any element
of the SEC’s definition of code of ethics by posting such information on our website, in a press release, or on a
Current Report on Form 8-K.
Information required by this item will be contained in, and is incorporated herein by reference to, our definitive
Proxy Statement pursuant to Regulation 14A promulgated under the Exchange Act for the Annual Meeting of
Shareholders to be held in January 2017, which is expected to be filed on or about December 5, 2016 (the “Proxy
Statement”).
Item 11 – Executive Compensation
The information required by this item will be included in, and is incorporated herein by reference to, our Proxy
Statement.
Item 12 – Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder
Matters
The information required by this item will be included in, and is incorporated herein by reference to, our Proxy
Statement.
Item 13 – Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence
The information required by this item will be included in, and is incorporated herein by reference to, our Proxy
Statement.
Item 14 – Principal Accounting Fees and Services
The information required by this item will be included in, and is incorporated herein by reference to, our Proxy
Statement.
40
PART IV
Item 15 – Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
(a)
Documents filed as part of this Form 10-K
(1)
Financial Statements
See “Index to Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” in Part II, Item 8 of this
Form 10-K.
(2)
Financial Statement Schedules
All schedules are omitted either because they are not required or the required information is shown
in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.
(3)
Exhibits
The exhibits listed on the accompanying “Exhibit Index” are filed or incorporated by reference as
part of this Form 10-K, unless otherwise indicated.
41
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly
caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
PURE CYCLE CORPORATION
By: /s/ Mark W. Harding
Mark W. Harding, President and Chief Financial Officer
October 27, 2016
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the
following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature
/s/ Mark W. Harding
Mark W. Harding
/s/ Harrison H. Augur
Harrison H. Augur
/s/ Patrick J. Beirne
Patrick J. Beirne
/s/ Arthur G. Epker III
Arthur G. Epker III
/s/ Richard L. Guido
Richard L. Guido
/s/ Peter C. Howell
Peter C. Howell
Title
President,
Chief Financial Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer, Principal
Financial and Accounting Officer)
Date
October 27, 2016
Chairman, Director
October 27, 2016
Director
October 27, 2016
Director
October 27, 2016
Director
October 27, 2016
Director
October 27, 2016
42
Exhibit
Number
Description
EXHIBIT INDEX
3.1
3.2
4.1
10.1
10.2
10.3
10.4
10.5
10.6
10.7
10.8
10.9
Articles of Incorporation of the Company. Incorporated by reference to Appendix B to the Proxy
Statement on Schedule 14A filed on December 14, 2007.
Bylaws of the Company. Incorporated by reference to Appendix C to the Proxy Statement on
Schedule 14A filed on December 14, 2007.
Specimen Stock Certificate. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended February 28, 2015.
2004 Incentive Plan, effective April 12, 2004. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit F to the Proxy
Statement for the Annual Meeting held on April 12, 2004. **
Wastewater Service Agreement, dated January 22, 1997, by and between the Company and the
Rangeview Metropolitan District. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Annual Report on
Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended August 31, 1998.
Comprehensive Amendment Agreement No. 1, dated April 11, 1996, by and among Inco Securities
Corporation, the Company, the Bondholders, Gregory M. Morey, Newell Augur, Jr., Bill Peterson,
Stuart Sundlun, Alan C. Stormo, Beverlee A. Beardslee, Bradley Kent Beardslee, Robert Douglas
Beardslee, Asra Corporation, International Properties, Inc., and the Land Board. Incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB for the period ended May 31,
1996.
Agreement for Sale of Export Water dated April 11, 1996 by and between the Company and the
District. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB for the
fiscal quarter ended May 31, 1996.
Bargain and Sale Deed among the Land Board, the District and the Company dated April 11, 1996.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form
SB-2, filed on June 7, 2004, Registration No. 333-114568.
Agreement for Water Service dated August 3, 2005 among the Company, Rangeview Metropolitan
District and Arapahoe County incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.24 to the Current Report on
Form 8-K filed on August 4, 2005.
Amendment No. 1 to Agreement for Water Service dated August 25, 2008, between the Company
and Arapahoe County. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.36 to the Annual Report on Form 10-
K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2008.
Paid-Up Oil and Gas Lease dated March 14, 2011, between the Company and Anadarko E&P
Company, L.P. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed
on March 15, 2011.
Surface Use and Damage Agreement dated March 14, 2011, between the Company and Anadarko
E&P Company, L.P. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K
filed on March 15, 2011.
10.10
2014 Equity Incentive Plan, effective April 12, 2014. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to the
Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting held on January 15, 2014. **
43
Exhibit
Number
10.11
10.12
10.13
10.14
10.15
10.16
10.17
10.18
10.19
10.20
10.21
10.22
10.23
Description
2014 Amended and Restated Lease Agreement, dated July 10, 2014, by and between the Land
Board, the District, and the Company. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Current
Report on Form 8-K filed on July 14, 2014.
2014 Amended and Restated Service Agreement, dated July 10, 2014, by and between the Company
and the District. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed
on July 14, 2014.
Business Loan Agreement dated October 27, 2014, between the Company and The First National
Bank of Las Animas. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K
filed on October 29, 2014.
Commercial Pledge Agreement, dated October 27, 2014, between the Company and The First
National Bank of Las Animas. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on
Form 8-K filed on October 29, 2014.
Rangeview/Pure Cycle WISE Project Financing Agreement, effective as of December 22, 2014.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 30,
2014.
South Metro WISE Authority Formation and Organizational Intergovernmental Agreement, dated
December 31, 2013. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
for the fiscal quarter ended November 30, 2014.
Amended and Restated WISE Partnership – Water Delivery Agreement, dated December 31, 2013,
among the City and County of Denver acting through its Board of Water Commissioners, the City of
Aurora acting by and through its Utility Enterprise, and South Metro WISE Authority. Incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended
November 30, 2014.
Agreement for Purchase and Sale of Western Pipeline Capacity, dated November 19, 2014, among
the Rangeview Metropolitan District and certain members of the South Metro WISE Authority.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter
ended November 30, 2014.
Settlement Agreement and Mutual Release, dated January 29, 2015, by and between HP A&M, the
Company and PCY Holdings. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on
Form 8-K filed on February 3, 2015.
Purchase and Sale Agreement among the Company, PCY Holdings and Arkansas River Farms,
LLC, dated March 11, 2015. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on
Form 8-K filed on March 17, 2015.
First Amendment to Purchase and Sale Agreement among the Company, PCY Holdings and
Arkansas River Farms, dated March 31, 2015. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the
Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 21, 2015.
Second Amendment to Purchase and Sale Agreement among the Company, PCY Holdings and
Arkansas River Farms, dated May 18, 2015. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Current
Report on Form 8-K filed on May 21, 2015.
Third Amendment to Purchase and Sale Agreement among the Company, PCY Holdings and
Arkansas River Farms, dated June 18, 2015. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the
Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 19, 2015
44
Exhibit
Number
10.24
21.1
23.1
31.1
32.1
Description
Fourth Amendment to Purchase and Sale Agreement among the Company, PCY Holdings and
Arkansas River Farms, dated July 2, 2015. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended May 31, 2015.
Subsidiaries
Consent of GHP Horwath, P.C. *
Certification under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. *
Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. ***
101.INS
XBRL Instance Document. *
101.SCH
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document. *
101.CAL
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document. *
101.DEF
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document. *
101.LAB
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document. *
101.PRE
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document. *
_______________________________
*
Filed herewith
**
Indicates management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement in which directors or executive officers
are eligible to participate.
*** Furnished herewith
45
EXHIBIT 21.1
SUBSIDIARIES
PCY Holdings, LLC, a Colorado limited liability company
PCY-DT, LLC, a Colorado limited liability company
46
EXHIBIT 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements on Form S-8 (No. 333-
115240) and Form S-8 (No. 333-195733) of Pure Cycle Corporation of our report dated October 27, 2016,
related to the financial statements and internal control over financial reporting of Pure Cycle Corporation
(which expresses an unqualified opinion), which appears on page F-1 of this annual report on Form 10-K
for the year ended August 31, 2016.
/s/ GHP HORWATH, P.C.
Denver, Colorado
October 27, 2016
47
EXHIBIT 31.1
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, Mark W. Harding, certify that:
1.
I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Pure Cycle Corporation;
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a
material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements
were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly
present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as
of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.
I am responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange
Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act
Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be
designed under my supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its
consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to me by others within those entities, particularly during the
period in which this report is being prepared;
(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial
reporting to be designed under my supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of
financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles;
(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this
report my conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the
period covered by this report based on such evaluation;
(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred
during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an
annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s
internal control over financial reporting; and
5.
I have disclosed, based on my most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the
registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the
equivalent functions):
(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over
financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process,
summarize and report financial information; and
(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant
role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
Dated: October 27, 2016
/s/ Mark W. Harding
Mark W. Harding
Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer
48
EXHIBIT 32.1
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, Mark W. Harding, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Pure Cycle Corporation (the
“Company”), hereby certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
of 2002, that:
(1) The Form 10-K of the Company for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2016, as filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a)
or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and result
of operations of the Company.
/s/ Mark W. Harding
Mark W. Harding
Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer
October 27, 2016
49
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Proxy Statement
for the January 18, 2017
Annual Meeting of Shareholders
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Filed by the Registrant
Filed by a party other than the Registrant
Check the appropriate box:
Preliminary Proxy Statement
Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
Definitive Proxy Statement
Definitive Additional Materials
Soliciting Material pursuant to Section 240.14a-12
PURE CYCLE CORPORATION
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
No fee required.
Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set
forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
(5) Total fee paid:
Fee paid previously with preliminary materials:
Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for
which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the
Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
(1) Amount Previously Paid:
(2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
(3) Filing Party:
(4) Date Filed:
4228287.7
PURE CYCLE CORPORATION
34501 E. Quincy Avenue
Bldg. 34, Box 10
Watkins, CO 80137
(303) 292-3456
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
To be held on January 18, 2017
TO PURE CYCLE’S SHAREHOLDERS:
You are cordially invited to attend the annual meeting of shareholders of Pure Cycle Corporation (the “Company”).
The meeting will be held at 1550 Seventeenth Street, Suite 500, Denver, Colorado 80202, at the offices of Davis
Graham & Stubbs LLP, on January 18, 2017 at 3:00 p.m. Mountain Time. The purposes of the meeting are to:
1. Elect a board of six directors to serve until the next annual meeting of shareholders, or until their successors
have been duly elected and qualified;
2. Ratify the appointment of GHP Horwath, P.C. as the Company’s independent registered public accounting
firm for the 2017 fiscal year;
3. Approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Company’s named executive officer; and
4. Transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment(s) or
postponement(s) thereof.
Only shareholders of record as of 5:00 p.m. Mountain Time on November 21, 2016, will be entitled to notice of or to
vote at this meeting or any adjournment(s) or postponement(s) thereof.
Whether or not you plan to attend, please vote promptly by following the instructions on the Important
Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials or, if you requested a printed set of proxy materials, by
completing, signing and dating the enclosed proxy and returning it in the accompanying postage-paid
envelope. Shareholders who attend the meeting may revoke their proxies and vote in person if they so desire.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
/s/ David Garin
David Garin, Secretary
December 7, 2016
PURE CYCLE CORPORATION
34501 E. Quincy Avenue
Bldg. 34, Box 10
Watkins, CO 80137
(303) 292-3456
PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
To be held on January 18, 2017
ABOUT THE MEETING
This proxy statement is being made available to shareholders in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the
board of directors of PURE CYCLE CORPORATION (the “Company”) for use at the annual meeting of
shareholders of the Company (the “Meeting”) to be held at 1550 Seventeenth Street, Suite 500, Denver, Colorado
80202, at the offices of Davis Graham & Stubbs LLP on January 18, 2017, at 3:00 p.m. Mountain Time or at any
adjournment or postponement thereof. This proxy statement will be made available to shareholders on or about
December 7, 2016. The cost of soliciting proxies is being paid by the Company. The Company’s officers, directors,
and other regular employees may, without additional compensation, solicit proxies personally or by other
appropriate means.
How can I get access to the proxy materials?
Instructions on how to access the proxy materials, including this proxy statement and the Company’s latest Annual
Report on Form 10-K, on-line may be found in the Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials
(the “Notice”), as well as instructions to request a printed set of such materials. You may also request the proxy
materials by contacting the Company’s transfer agent, Broadridge Corporate Issuer Solutions, by calling 1-800-579-
1639, by writing the Company’s Secretary at the Company’s address set forth above, or by visiting
www.proxyvote.com and entering the control number from the Notice.
If you would like to receive the Notice via email rather than regular mail in future years, please follow the
instructions in the Notice. Choosing to receive future notices by email will help the Company reduce the costs and
environmental impact of the Company’s shareholder meetings.
What is the purpose of the Meeting?
At the Meeting, shareholders are asked to act upon the matters outlined above in the Notice of Annual Meeting of
Shareholders and as described in this proxy statement. The matters to be considered are (i) the election of directors,
(ii) the ratification of the appointment of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal
year ending August 31, 2017, (iii) the approval, on an advisory basis, of the compensation of the Company’s named
executive officer, and (iv) such other matters as may properly come before the Meeting. Management will be
available to respond to appropriate questions.
Who is entitled to vote and how many votes do I have?
If you were a shareholder of record as of 5:00 p.m. Mountain Time on November 21, 2016, you will be entitled to
vote at the Meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof. On the record date, there were 23,754,098 shares
of the Company’s 1/3 of $.01 par value common stock (“common stock”) issued and outstanding. Each outstanding
share of the Company’s common stock will be entitled to one vote on each matter acted upon. There is no
cumulative voting.
How do I vote?
If your shares are held in an account at a bank, brokerage firm, or other nominee in “street name,” you need to
submit voting instructions to your bank, brokerage firm, or other nominee in order to cast your vote. If you wish to
vote in person at the Meeting, you must obtain a valid proxy from the nominee that holds your shares. If you are the
shareholder of record, you may vote your shares by following the instructions in the Notice mailed on or about
December 7, 2016, or, if you have received a printed set of the proxy materials, you may vote your shares by
completing, signing and dating the enclosed proxy card and then mailing it to the Company’s transfer agent in the
pre-addressed envelope provided. You may also vote your shares by calling the transfer agent at the number listed
on the proxy card or by attending the Meeting in person.
Can I change or revoke my vote?
A proxy may be revoked by a shareholder any time before it is voted at the Meeting by submission of another proxy
bearing a later date, by attending the Meeting and voting in person, or if you are a shareholder of record, by written
notice of revocation to the Secretary of the Company.
Is my vote confidential?
Proxy instructions, ballots and voting tabulations that identify individual shareholders are handled in a manner that
protects your voting privacy. Your vote will not be disclosed within the Company or to third parties, except: (1) as
necessary to meet applicable legal requirements, (2) to allow for the tabulation of votes and certification of the vote,
and (3) to facilitate a successful proxy solicitation. Occasionally shareholders provide written comments on their
proxy cards, which are forwarded to management of the Company.
Will my shares held in street name be voted if I do not provide my proxy?
If you hold your shares through a bank, broker, or other nominee, your shares must be voted by the nominee. If you
do not provide voting instructions, under the rules of the securities exchanges, the nominee’s discretionary authority
to vote your shares is limited to “routine” matters. Proposals 1 and 3 are not considered routine matters for this
purpose, so if you do not provide your proxy, your shares will not be voted at the Meeting with respect to these
proposals. In this case your shares will be treated as “broker non-votes” and will not be counted for purposes of
determining the vote on these proposals.
A “broker non-vote” occurs when a nominee holding shares for a beneficial owner has discretionary authority to
vote on at least one matter at the meeting but does not vote on a particular proposal because the nominee does not
have discretionary voting power with respect to that proposal and has not received voting instructions from the
beneficial owner.
What is a quorum?
The presence, in person or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock
constitutes a quorum at the Meeting for the election of directors and for the other proposals. Abstentions and broker
non-votes are counted for the purposes of determining whether a quorum is present at the Meeting.
How many votes are required to approve the proposals?
• Election of Directors – The election of directors requires the affirmative vote of a plurality of the votes cast
by shares represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote for the election of directors. This means
that the nominees receiving the most votes from those eligible to vote will be elected. You may vote “FOR”
all of the nominees or your vote may be “WITHHELD” with respect to one or more of the nominees;
however, a “withheld” vote or a broker non-vote (defined above) will have no effect on the outcome of the
election.
• Ratification of auditors, advisory vote on executive compensation, and other matters – The number of votes
cast in favor of the proposal at the Meeting must exceed the number of votes cast against the proposal for
the approval of Proposals 2, 3 and other matters. For Proposals 2, 3 and any other business matters to be
voted on, you may vote “FOR,” “AGAINST,” or you may “ABSTAIN.” Abstentions and broker non-votes
will not be counted as votes for or against a proposal and, therefore, have no effect on the vote. Because
your vote on executive compensation is advisory, it will not be binding on the board of directors or the
Company. However, the board of directors will review the voting results and take them into consideration
when making future decisions regarding executive compensation.
2
If no specification is made, then the shares will be voted “FOR” the election as directors of the persons nominated
by the board of directors, “FOR” Proposal 2, “FOR” Proposal 3, and otherwise, in accordance with the
recommendations of the board of directors.
Does the Company expect there to be any additional matters presented at the Meeting?
Other than the items of business described in this proxy statement, the Company is not aware of any other business
to be acted upon at the Meeting. If you grant a proxy, the persons named as proxy holders, Mark W. Harding and
Harrison H. Augur, have the discretion to vote your shares on any additional matter properly presented for a vote at
the Meeting. If for any unforeseen reason any of the director nominees are not available for election at the date of
the Meeting, the named proxy holders will vote your shares for such other candidates as may be nominated by the
board.
When will the results of the voting being announced?
The Company will announce preliminary results at the Meeting and will publish final results in a current report on
Form 8-K to be filed within 4 days of the date of the Meeting.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND
MANAGEMENT AND RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS
Voting Securities and Principal Holders Thereof
The following table sets forth information as of November 21, 2016, as to the beneficial ownership of shares of the
Company’s common stock by (i) each person (or group of affiliated persons) known to the Company to own
beneficially 5% or more of the common stock, (ii) each director of the Company and each nominee for director,
(iii) each executive officer and (iv) all directors and executive officers as a group. All information is based on
information filed by such persons with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and other information
provided by such persons to the Company. Except as otherwise indicated, the Company believes that each of the
beneficial owners listed has sole investment and voting power with respect to such shares. On November 21, 2016,
there were 23,754,098 common shares outstanding. Shares not outstanding but deemed beneficially owned by virtue
of the right of a person to acquire shares within 60 days of November 21, 2016, are included as outstanding and
beneficially owned for that person, but are not treated as outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage
ownership of any other person.
Name and address of beneficial owner
Mark W. Harding **
Harrison H. Augur **
Patrick J. Beirne **
Arthur G. Epker III
One International Place, Suite 2401, Boston, MA 02110
Richard L. Guido **
Peter C. Howell **
All officers and directors as a group (6 persons)
PAR Capital Management, Inc. / PAR Investment Partners,
L.P. / PAR Group, L.P.
200 Clarendon St., 48th Floor, Boston, MA 02116
Trigran Investments, Inc.
630 Dundee Road, Suite 230, Northbrook, IL 60062
________________________
Amount and nature
of beneficial
ownership
827,243
149,281
5,000
43,500
1
2
3
4
41,000
41,500
1,107,524
5,982,970
2,582,741
5
6
7
8
9
Percent
of class
3.47 %
*
*
*
*
*
4.61 %
25.19 %
9.79 %
* Less than 1%
** Address is the Company’s address: 34501 E. Quincy Avenue, Bldg. 34, Box 10, Watkins, CO 80137
3
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Includes 100,000 shares purchasable by Mr. Harding under options exercisable within 60 days. Includes
210,000 shares of common stock held by SMA Investments, LLLP, a limited liability limited partnership
controlled by Mr. Harding.
Includes 41,000 shares purchasable by Mr. Augur under options exercisable within 60 days. Includes
10,000 shares of common stock held by Patience Partners, LLC, a limited liability company in which a
foundation controlled by Mr. Augur is a 60% member and Mr. Augur is a 20% managing member. Includes
46,111 shares of common stock held in a margin account owned by Auginco, a Colorado general
partnership, which is owned 50% by Mr. Augur and 50% by his wife.
Includes 5,000 shares purchasable by Mr. Beirne under options exercisable within 60 days.
Includes 43,500 shares purchasable by Mr. Epker under options exercisable within 60 days. Excludes all
shares of common stock held directly by PAR Investment Partners, L.P. (“PIP”). PAR Capital
Management, Inc. (“PCM”), as the general partner of PAR Group, L.P. (“PGL”), which is the general
partner of PIP, has investment discretion and voting control over shares held by PIP. No shareholder,
director, officer or employee of PCM has beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3
promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”)) of any shares held by PIP.
Mr. Epker is an officer of PCM and has been a director of the Company since 2007. In his capacity as an
officer of PCM, Mr. Epker has sole voting and dispositive power with respect to the shares of common
stock held by PIP; however, Mr. Epker disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares held by PIP.
Includes 41,000 shares purchasable by Mr. Guido under options exercisable within 60 days.
Includes 41,000 shares purchasable by Mr. Howell under options exercisable within 60 days.
Includes the following shares:
a.
b.
c.
210,000 shares held by SMA Investments, LLLP as described in number 1 above,
271,500 shares purchasable by directors and officers under options exercisable within 60 days, and
10,000 shares of common stock held by Patience Partners, LLC, and 46,111 shares of common
stock held by Auginco, as described in number 2 above.
PIP owns directly 5,982,970 shares. PGL, through its control of PIP as general partner, has sole voting and
dispositive power with respect to all 5,982,970 shares owned beneficially by PIP. PCM, through its control
of PGL as general partner, has sole voting and dispositive power with respect to all 5,982,970 shares owned
beneficially by PIP. Excludes 43,500 shares purchasable by Mr. Epker under options exercisable within 60
days. PIP, PGL and PCM disclaim beneficial ownership of such option shares.
This disclosure is based on a Schedule 13G/A filed by Trigran Investments, Inc. (“TII”), Douglas Granat,
Lawrence A. Oberman, Steven G. Simon and Bradley F. Simon on February 11, 2016. It includes
2,582,741 shares of common stock owned by TII. By reason of their role as controlling shareholders and/or
sole director of TII, each of Douglas Granat, Lawrence A. Oberman, Steven G. Simon and Bradley F.
Simon may be considered the beneficial owners of shares beneficially owned by TII.
Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans
Plan category
Equity compensation plans:
Approved by security holders
Not approved by security holders
Total
Number of
securities to be
issued upon exercise
of outstanding
options
(a)
Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding
options, warrants
and rights
(b)
Number of securities
remaining available for
future issuance under
equity compensation
plans (excluding
securities reflected in
column (a))
(c)
$4.77
—
$4.77
1,538,000
—
1,538,000
338,000
—
338,000
4
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following table sets forth the Company’s directors, director nominees, and executive officer and their positions
currently held with the Company.
Name
Harrison H. Augur
Patrick J. Beirne
Arthur G. Epker, III
Richard L. Guido
Mark W. Harding
Peter C. Howell
________________________
* Director nominee
Age
74
53
54
72
53
67
Position
Chairman of the Board*
Director*
Director*
Director*
Director, President, CEO and CFO*
Director*
The principal occupation and other information about each of the individuals listed above, including the period
during which each has served as director or officer, can be found beginning on page 16.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND BOARD MATTERS
Board Leadership Structure
The Company’s board of directors has chosen to separate the positions of Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and
Chairman of the Board. Keeping these positions separate allows the Company’s CEO to focus on developing and
implementing the Company’s business plans and supervising the Company’s day-to-day operations and allows the
Company’s Chairman to lead the board of directors in its oversight and advisory roles. Because of the many
responsibilities of the board of directors and the significant time and effort required by each of the Chairman and the
CEO to perform their respective duties, the Company believes that having separate persons in these roles enhances
the ability of each to discharge those duties effectively and, as a corollary, enhances the Company’s prospects for
success. The board of directors also believes that having separate positions provides a clear delineation of
responsibilities for each position and fosters greater accountability of management.
Board Risk and Oversight
Our board of directors, as a whole and through its committees, has responsibility for the oversight of risk
management. With the oversight of the Company’s full board of directors, the Company’s CEO is responsible for
the day-to-day management of the material risks the Company faces. In its oversight role, the board of directors has
the responsibility to satisfy itself that the risk management processes designed and implemented by management are
adequate and functioning as designed. At least annually, the board of directors holds a strategic planning session
with management to discuss strategies, key challenges, risks and opportunities for the Company. This involvement
of the board of directors in setting the Company’s business strategy is a key part of its oversight of risk management,
its assessment of management’s appetite for risk, and its determination of what constitutes an appropriate level of
risk for the Company. Additionally, the board of directors regularly receives updates from management regarding
certain risks the Company faces, including various operating risks. Management attends meetings of the board of
directors and its committees on a regular basis, and as is otherwise needed, and are available to address any
questions or concerns raised by the board on risk management and any other matters.
The Audit Committee is responsible for overseeing risk management of financial matters, financial reporting, the
adequacy of the Company’s risk-related internal controls, internal investigations, and enterprise risks, generally. The
5
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (the “Nominating Committee”) oversees the Company’s
corporate governance guidelines and governance-related risks, such as board independence, as well as management
and director succession planning. The Compensation Committee oversees risks related to compensation policies and
practices and is responsible for establishing and maintaining compensation policies and programs designed to create
incentives consistent with the Company’s business strategy that do not encourage excessive risk-taking.
Board Membership and Director Independence
Director Independence – At least a majority of the members of the board and all members of the board’s Audit,
Compensation, and Nominating Committees must be independent in accordance with the listing standards of The
NASDAQ Stock Market. The board has determined that four of the six current members, Messrs. Augur, Epker,
Guido, and Howell, are independent pursuant to the standards of The NASDAQ Stock Market.
Terms of Directors and Officers – All directors are elected for one-year terms which expire at the annual meeting of
shareholders or when their successors are duly elected and qualified. The Company’s officers are elected annually
by the board of directors and hold office until their successors are duly elected and qualified.
Family Relationships of Directors and Officers – None of the current directors or officers, or nominees for director,
is related to any other officer or director of the Company or to any nominee for director.
Board Meetings Held – The board of directors and each of the standing committees described below meet
throughout the fiscal year on a set schedule. They also hold special meetings and act by written consent from time to
time as appropriate. The Company’s independent directors meet regularly in executive sessions without
management present. The executive sessions of independent directors are held in conjunction with each regularly
scheduled board meeting.
During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2016, the board of directors held five (5) meetings. All board members
attended 75% or more of the aggregate of the total number of meetings of the board of directors and the total number
of meetings held by all committees of the board on which the director served during the periods that the director
served on the board and committees, as applicable. All of the Company’s board members are expected to attend the
annual meeting of shareholders. All of the Company’s board members attended the 2016 annual meeting of
shareholders.
Committees
The Board has three standing committees: Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating Committee.
Each of the committees regularly reports on its activities and actions to the full board of directors.
Membership in the standing committees for 2016 is set forth below:
Director
H. Augur
P. Beirne
A. Epker
R. Guido
M. Harding
P. Howell
Audit Committee
Fiscal 2016 Committee Membership
Compensation
Committee
X
X(1)
Chair
X(1)
—
—
X
—
—
X
—
Chair
Nominating
Committee
X(1)
X(1)
X
Chair
—
—
____________________
(1) Indicates service on a committee for a portion of the fiscal year. Committee assignments were revised on January 27, 2016,
when Mr. Beirne was elected to the board of directors.
Audit Committee – The Audit Committee consists of Mr. Howell (Chairman) and Messrs. Augur and Guido. The
board of directors has determined that all of the members of the Audit Committee are “independent” within the
meaning of the listing standards of The NASDAQ Stock Market and the SEC rules governing audit committees. In
addition, the board has determined that Mr. Howell meets the SEC criteria of an “audit committee financial expert”
6
by reason of his understanding of Accounting Principles Generally Accepted in the United States of America
(“GAAP”) and the application of GAAP, his education, his experiences as an auditor and chief financial officer, and
his understanding of financial statements. See Mr. Howell’s biography under Election of Directors (Proposal No. 1)
for additional information.
The functions to be performed by the Audit Committee include the appointment, retention, compensation and
oversight of the Company’s independent auditors, including pre-approval of all audit and non-audit services to be
performed by such auditors. The Audit Committee Charter is available on the Company’s website at
www.purecyclewater.com. The Audit Committee held seven (7) meetings during the fiscal year ended August 31,
2016.
Compensation Committee – Until October 2016, the Compensation Committee consisted of Mr. Epker (Chairman)
and Messrs. Augur and Beirne. The board of directors determined that all members of the Compensation Committee
were “independent” within the meaning of the listing standards of The NASDAQ Stock Market. Mr. Beirne resigned
from the Compensation Committee in October 2016 because he is no longer independent within the meaning of the
listing standards. See “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” below. The functions to be performed by
the Compensation Committee include establishing the compensation of officers, evaluating the performance of
officers and key employees, and administering employee incentive compensation plans. The Compensation
Committee typically meets with the CEO to obtain information about employee performance and compensation
recommendations. It also has the authority to engage outside advisors to assist the committee with its functions. The
Compensation Committee has the power to delegate authority to the CEO or a subcommittee to make certain
determinations with respect to compensation for employees who are not executive officers. The Company’s
Compensation Committee Charter is available on the Company’s website at www.purecyclewater.com. The
Compensation Committee held three (3) meetings during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2016.
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee – Until October 2016, the Nominating Committee consisted of
Messrs. Guido (Chairman), Epker and Beirne. The board of directors determined that all members of the
Nominating Committee were “independent” within the meaning of the listing standards of The NASDAQ Stock
Market. Mr. Beirne resigned from the NCG Committee in October 2016 because he is no longer independent within
the meaning of the listing standards. The principal responsibilities of the Nominating Committee are to identify and
nominate qualified individuals to serve as members of the board and to make recommendations to the board with
respect to director compensation. In addition, the Nominating Committee is responsible for establishing the
Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines and evaluating the board and its processes. In selecting nominees for
the board, the Nominating Committee is seeking a board with a variety of experience and expertise, and in selecting
nominees it will consider business experience in the industry in which the Company operates, financial expertise,
independence from the Company, experience with publicly traded companies, experience with relevant regulatory
matters in which the Company is involved, and a reputation for integrity and professionalism. The Company does
not have a formal policy with respect to the consideration of diversity in identifying director nominees, but it
considers diversity as part of its overall assessment of the board’s functions and needs. Nominees must be at least 21
years of age and less than 75 on the date of the annual meeting of shareholders, unless the Nominating Committee
waives such requirements. Identification of prospective board members is done by a combination of methods,
including word-of-mouth in industry circles, inquiries of outside professionals and recommendations made to the
Company. The Nominating Committee Charter is available on the Company’s website at www.purecyclewater.com.
The Nominating Committee held three (3) meetings during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2016.
The Nominating Committee will consider nominations for director made by shareholders of record entitled to vote.
In order to make a nomination for election at the January 2018 annual meeting, a shareholder must provide notice,
along with supporting information (discussed below) regarding such nominee, to the Company’s Secretary by
August 6, 2017, but not before June 8, 2017, in accordance with the Company’s bylaws. The Nominating
Committee evaluates nominees recommended by shareholders utilizing the same criteria it uses for other nominees.
Each shareholder recommendation should be accompanied by the following:
• The full name, address, and telephone number of the person making the recommendation, and a statement
that the person making the recommendation is a shareholder of record (or, if the person is a beneficial
owner of the Company’s shares but not a record holder, a statement from the record holder of the shares
verifying the number of shares beneficially owned), and a statement as to whether the person making the
7
recommendation has a good faith intention to continue to hold those shares through the date of the
Company’s next annual meeting of shareholders;
• The full name, address, and telephone number of the candidate being recommended, information regarding
the candidate’s beneficial ownership of the Company’s equity securities, any business or personal
relationship between the candidate and the person making the recommendation, and an explanation of the
value or benefit the person making the recommendation believes the candidate would provide as a director;
• A statement signed by the candidate that he or she is aware of and consents to being recommended to the
Nominating Committee and will provide such information as the Nominating Committee may request for
its evaluation of candidates;
• A description of the candidate’s current principal occupation, business or professional experience, previous
employment history, educational background, and any areas of particular expertise;
•
Information about any business or personal relationships between the candidate and any of the Company’s
customers, suppliers, vendors, competitors, directors or officers, or other persons with any special interest
regarding any transactions between the candidate and the Company; and
• Any information in addition to the above about the candidate that would be required to be included in the
Company’s proxy statement (including without limitation information about legal proceedings in which the
candidate has been involved within the past ten years).
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation – No interlocking relationship exists between any
member of the board of directors or the Compensation Committee and any other company’s board of directors or
compensation committee.
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
The Company has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for its directors, officers and employees, which is
available on the Company’s website at www.purecyclewater.com.
Shareholder Communications with the Board
The board of directors has adopted a policy for shareholders to send communications to the board. The policy is
available on the Company’s website. Shareholders wishing to send communications to the board may contact the
Chairman of the board at the Company’s principal place of business or e-mail chairman@purecyclewater.com. All
such communications shall be shared with the members of the board, or if applicable, a specified committee or
director.
Director Compensation
Directors who are employees of the Company receive no fees for board service. Currently, Mr. Harding is the only
director who is also an employee. Each non-employee director receives a payment of $10,000 for each full year in
which he or she serves as a director, with an additional payment of $2,500 for serving as chairman of a committee,
$1,000 for each committee on which he or she serves as a member but not as chairman, and $1,000 for serving as
chairman of the board. Directors receive $500 for attendance at each board meeting and, if committee meetings are
held separately from board meetings, each director receives $500 for attendance at such committee meetings.
The following table sets forth summary information concerning the compensation paid to the Company’s non-
employee directors in fiscal 2016 for services to the Company:
8
Name
H. Augur (2)
P. Beirne (3)
A. Epker (4)
R. Guido (5)
P. Howell (6)
_________________________
Director Compensation
Fees Earned
or Paid in
Cash
($)
17,000
11,000
16,000
17,500
17,000
Option
Awards (1)
($)
19,200
27,500
19,200
19,200
19,200
Total
($)
36,200
38,500
35,200
36,700
36,200
(1)
In addition to cash compensation, pursuant to the Pure Cycle Corporation 2004 Incentive Plan, as amended
(the “2004 Plan”), each non-employee director received an option to purchase 5,000 shares of common stock
upon initial election or appointment to the board (which vested one-half on each of the first two anniversary
dates of the grant) and an option to purchase 6,500 shares of common stock (2,500 shares prior to January
2013) at each subsequent annual meeting of shareholders at which the non-employee director was re-elected to
the board (which vested on the first anniversary of the date of the grant). The 2004 Plan was replaced by the
2014 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2014 Plan”) effective as of April 12, 2014. Pursuant to the 2014 Plan, each
non-employee director may receive an option to purchase shares of common stock at the discretion of the
board, and the terms of such awards granted to non-employee directors, including the discretion to adopt one or
more formulas for the determination of non-employee director awards, are at the discretion of the board. On
January 14, 2015, the board adopted a formula under the 2014 Plan for grants to non-employee directors
re-elected to the board. Like the 2004 Plan, the formula adopted pursuant to the 2014 Plan provides for an
option grant to each non-employee director to purchase 6,500 shares of common stock at each annual meeting
of shareholders at which the non-employee director is re-elected to the board. The options vest on the first
anniversary of the date of grant. On January 27, 2016, the board adopted a formula under the 2014 Plan
providing for an option grant to each non-employee director to purchase 10,000 shares of common stock upon
initial election or appointment to the board, which vests one-half on each of the first two anniversary dates of
the grant. The option exercise price for all non-employee director grants is set at the fair market value of the
common stock on the date of the grant. The amounts in this column represent the aggregate grant date fair
value of options granted during the Company’s fiscal year ended August 31, 2016, as computed in accordance
with FASB ASC Topic 718. For more information about how the Company values and accounts for share-
based compensation see Note 8 – Shareholders’ Equity to the Company’s audited consolidated financial
statements for the year ended August 31, 2016, which are included in the Company’s 2016 Annual Report on
Form 10-K.
(2) The $17,000 earned by Mr. Augur is comprised of: $10,000 for serving on the board, $1,000 for being
chairman of the board, $3,000 for serving on three committees, and $3,000 for attendance at board and
committee meetings ($500 per meeting). Mr. Augur had options outstanding to purchase 41,000 shares of
common stock as of August 31, 2016, all of which are exercisable within 60 days of the filing of this proxy
statement.
(3) The $11,000 earned by Mr. Beirne is comprised of: $10,000 for serving on the board and $1,000 for attendance
at board and committee meetings ($500 per meeting). Mr. Beirne had options outstanding to purchase 10,000
shares of common stock as of August 31, 2016, 5,000 of which are exercisable within 60 days of the filing of
this proxy statement.
(4) The $16,000 earned by Mr. Epker is comprised of: $10,000 for serving on the board, $2,500 for serving as
chairman of the Compensation Committee, $1,000 for serving on one additional committee, and $2,500 for
attendance at board and committee meetings ($500 per meeting). Mr. Epker had options outstanding to
purchase 43,500 shares of common stock as of August 31, 2016, all of which are exercisable within 60 days of
the filing of this proxy statement.
(5) The $17,500 earned by Mr. Guido is comprised of: $10,000 for serving on the board, $2,500 for serving as
chairman of the Nominating Committee, $2,000 for serving on two additional committees, and $3,000 for
attendance at board and committee meetings ($500 per meeting). Mr. Guido had options outstanding to
9
purchase 41,000 shares of common stock as of August 31, 2016, all of which are exercisable within 60 days of
the filing of this proxy statement.
(6) The $17,000 earned by Mr. Howell is comprised of: $10,000 for serving on the board, $2,500 for serving as
chairman of the Audit Committee, and $4,500 for attendance at board and committee meetings ($500 per
meeting). Mr. Howell had options outstanding to purchase 41,000 shares of common stock as of August 31,
2016, all of which are exercisable within 60 days of the filing of this proxy statement.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
Person Covered
This compensation discussion and analysis addresses compensation for fiscal 2016 for Mark W. Harding, the
Company’s President, CEO and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) and its only executive officer.
Summary
The Company’s compensation plan is designed to attract, retain and motivate quality executive talent critical to the
Company’s growth and success. The compensation plan is structured to reward the executive officer of the
Company with competitive total pay opportunities through a compensation mix that emphasizes cash and non-cash
incentives and merit-based salary increases, while de-emphasizing entitlements and perquisites.
In September 2015, in recognition of the many positive achievements in fiscal 2015, the Compensation Committee
recommended and the board approved a $350,000 cash bonus award for Mr. Harding. Salary for fiscal 2016
increased from $275,000 to $285,000. In September 2016, the Compensation Committee determined that it would be
appropriate to focus less on bonus compensation and more on rewarding Mr. Harding for his attention to long-term
goals of the Company and ensuring that Mr. Harding is receiving an appropriate salary for a chief executive officer
with his experience and capabilities. The Compensation Committee recommended, and the board approved, a salary
increase for Mr. Harding to $375,000 for fiscal 2017, a $125,000 cash bonus award, and a stock option to purchase
50,000 shares of common stock.
2016 Achievements
Due in large part to the efforts and leadership of Mr. Harding, the Company achieved certain key strategic objectives
during fiscal 2016, including:
• Substantially completing an interconnect with the WISE (as defined below) system for WISE water
deliveries;
• Permitting a 6.5 mile pipeline from Lowry Range to the Company’s Sky Ranch property and soliciting
competitive bids for construction of the pipeline;
• Completing the sale of water rights on three final farms located in the Arkansas River Valley for
approximately $1.35 million;
• Engineering water, sewer, irrigation, drainage and access roads for the Sky Ranch property and obtaining
approval of a revised plan for preliminary plats at Sky Ranch in preparation for the marketing and sale of
finished lots;
•
•
Improving budgeting systems to better meet the needs of managing Sky Ranch development and water
service projects being pursued by the Company; and
Identifying and recruiting a director with significant real estate experience.
Through an agreement with the Rangeview Metropolitan District (the “District”), the Company has worked with
regional water suppliers, including Denver Water and Aurora Water, to participate in a cooperative water project
10
known as the Water Infrastructure Supply Efficiency partnership (“WISE”) to develop regional infrastructure and
supplies.
Compensation Philosophy
The Company’s executive compensation program is administered by the Compensation Committee of the board of
directors. The Compensation Committee is ordinarily composed of three independent, non-employee directors. At
the time the executive compensation recommendations were made, the Compensation Committee was comprised of
Messrs. Epker, Augur and Beirne. Mr. Beirne resigned in October 2016 when he ceased to meet the independence
requirements of NASDAQ. See “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” below. The Compensation
Committee reviews the performance and compensation level for the CEO and makes recommendations to the board
of directors for final approval. The Compensation Committee also determines equity grants under the 2014 Plan, if
any. The CEO may provide information to the Compensation Committee regarding his compensation; however, the
Compensation Committee makes the final determination on the executive compensation recommendation to the
board. Final compensation determinations are generally made in August or September near the end of the
Company’s fiscal year. The following outlines the philosophy and objectives of the Company’s compensation plan.
The objectives of the Company’s compensation plan are to correlate executive compensation with the Company’s
objectives and overall performance and to enable the Company to attract, retain and reward executive officers who
contribute to its long-term growth and success. The compensation plan is designed to create a mutuality of interest
between executive and shareholders through equity ownership programs and to focus the executive’s attention on
overall corporate objectives, in addition to the executive’s personal objectives.
The goal of the Compensation Committee is to provide a compensation package that is competitive with
compensation practices of companies with which the Company competes, provides variable compensation that is
linked to achievement of the Company’s operational performance goals, and aligns the interests of the executive
officer and employees with those of the shareholders of the Company. Additionally, the Compensation Committee’s
goal is to design a compensation package that falls within the mid-range of the packages provided to executives of
similarly sized corporations in like industries.
Generally, the executive officer receives a base salary and an opportunity to earn a cash bonus based on attainment
of predetermined objectives at the discretion of the Compensation Committee. Long-term equity incentives are also
considered. The mixture of cash and non-cash compensation items is designed to provide the executive with a
competitive total compensation package while not using an excessive amount of the Company’s cash or overly
diluting the equity positions of its shareholders. The Company’s executive officer does not receive any perquisites or
personal benefits. The executive officer is eligible for the same benefits available to all Company employees.
Currently, this includes participation in a tax-qualified 401(k) plan and health and dental plans.
Compensation Consultants
The Compensation Committee charter authorizes the Compensation Committee to engage compensation consultants
and other advisors to assist it with its duties. No compensation consultants were engaged by either management or
the Compensation Committee during fiscal 2016.
Shareholder Feedback and Say-On-Pay Results
The Compensation Committee considers the outcome of shareholder advisory votes on executive compensation
when making future decisions relating to the compensation of the CEO and the Company’s executive compensation
program. At the 2016 annual meeting of shareholders, approximately 97% of the votes cast were for approval of the
“say-on-pay” proposal. The Compensation Committee believes the results conveyed support for continuing with the
philosophy, strategy and objectives of the Company’s executive compensation program.
Compensation of the Company’s CEO
The current compensation program for the Company’s CEO consists of the following:
11
Base Salary – In September 2015, the Compensation Committee reviewed and recommended a salary for the CEO
for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2016. Mr. Harding’s base salary was established by the Compensation
Committee based upon publicly available compensation data for executive officers in comparable companies in the
water development industry, job responsibilities, level of experience, individual performance and contributions to
the business throughout his career with the Company, and Mr. Harding’s achievements in fiscal 2015.
In making the base salary decision, the Compensation Committee exercised its discretion and judgment based upon
these factors. No specific formula was applied to determine the weight of each factor. While the Compensation
Committee reviewed competitive compensation data, it did not benchmark Mr. Harding’s compensation to that of
any other company. In September 2015, the Compensation Committee recommended and the board of directors
approved a salary increase for Mr. Harding from $275,000 for fiscal 2015 to $285,000 for fiscal 2016. The
Compensation Committee and the board of directors determined that, due to the long-term nature of the Company’s
business and goals (as discussed below), it should work more on rewarding Mr. Harding for his long-term focus and
less on short-term projects. Thus, in September 2016, the Compensation Committee recommended and the board of
directors approved raising Mr. Harding’s salary to $375,000 for fiscal 2017, making his overall compensation
package less dependent on short-term achievements.
Incentive Bonus – The Compensation Committee’s goal in granting incentive bonuses is to tie a portion of the
CEO’s compensation to the operating performance of the Company and to the CEO’s individual contribution to the
Company. The Compensation Committee did not benchmark the CEO’s bonus to that of executive officers at other
companies. In formulating recommendations for bonus compensation for Mr. Harding, the Compensation
Committee considered a number of factors, including, among other things: (i) the efforts of Mr. Harding in pursuing
projects for the Company and negotiating with various governmental entities to achieve long-term goals of the
Company; (ii) the progress made by Mr. Harding and the Company in achieving the objectives established by the
Compensation Committee for fiscal 2016 (as discussed below); (iii) Mr. Harding’s experience, talents and skills, and
the importance thereof to the Company; and (iv) the potential availability of better paying positions for officers with
Mr. Harding’s experience and skills.
Development and operation of water and wastewater systems requires long-term planning to meet anticipated future
needs of customers, balancing concerns of constructing expensive infrastructure in advance of customer demand
with concerns of not being prepared for increased customer demands. Additionally, development of the areas to be
served by the Company’s water systems is a process that is anticipated to take many years and involves many factors
which are not within the Company’s control, including, but not limited to the decisions of the Land Board with
respect to development of the Lowry Range; housing markets; and competing agendas of governmental entities,
developers, environmental groups, conservation groups and agricultural interests. Therefore, performance plan
objectives established by the Compensation Committee for the CEO and other key personnel tend to include long-
range objectives which cannot reasonably be expected to be completed in the course of a single year. Additionally,
the Compensation Committee designs the plan to award performance without encouraging inappropriate risk taking.
In September 2015, the Compensation Committee recommended establishing a performance plan for fiscal 2016,
which was formally approved by the board in October 2015.
The 2016 performance plan was comprised of a number of financial and nonfinancial objectives, both short-term
and long-term in nature, including the following objectives: (i) finalizing a reservoir sale with Aurora; (ii) finalizing
the interconnect with the WISE system for WISE water deliveries; (iii) permitting a pipeline from Lowry to Sky
Ranch; (iv) completing the sale of water rights for the final farms in the Arkansas River Valley; (v) monitoring
opportunities for mineral right monetization; (vi) improving the budgeting system; and (vii) controlling general and
administrative expenses. The plan also included corporate strategic objectives the disclosure of which the Company
believes would cause competitive harm. The Compensation Committee believed that the achievement of certain
performance objectives, including the undisclosed objectives, would be extraordinarily difficult and that it was
unlikely that the CEO and key employees would be able to fully achieve them.
In September 2016, the Compensation Committee reviewed the Company’s operating results for fiscal 2016 and
evaluated the Company’s success in achieving the performance plan objectives. The Compensation Committee
determined that a bonus was warranted in recognition of Mr. Harding’s success in achieving or making progress
toward achieving certain key objectives established in the 2016 performance plan, including those described above
under Compensation Discussion and Analysis – 2016 Achievements. The Compensation Committee recommended
12
awarding, and the board authorized awarding, Mr. Harding a discretionary bonus of $125,000 in fiscal 2016, as well
as a stock option to purchase 50,000 shares of common stock, as described below.
Long-Term Equity Incentives – The goal of long-term equity incentive compensation is to align the interests of the
CEO with those of the Company’s shareholders and to provide the CEO with a long-term incentive to manage the
Company from the perspective of an owner with an equity stake in the business. It is the belief of the Compensation
Committee that stock options and other equity based awards directly motivate an executive to maximize long-term
shareholder value. The philosophy of the Compensation Committee in administering the Company’s 2014 Plan is to
tie the number of stock options and shares of stock awarded to each employee to the performance of the Company
and to the individual contribution of each employee to the Company. The Compensation Committee recommended
awarding, and the board authorized awarding, Mr. Harding a non-statutory stock option to purchase 50,000 shares of
the Company’s common stock in recognition of his performance during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2016, and
to motivate future performance, noting that Mr. Harding had not received an equity incentive award since 2013 and
determining that it would be preferable to recognize his achievements with a mix of cash and long-term incentives.
Discussion with Respect to Qualifying Compensation for Deductibility
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code imposes a limit on tax deductions for annual compensation (other than
performance-based compensation) in excess of one million dollars paid by a corporation to its CEO and its other
four most highly compensated executive officers. The Company has not established a policy with regard to
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, because the Company does not currently anticipate paying cash
compensation in excess of one million dollars per annum to any employee. The Compensation Committee will
continue to assess the impact of Section 162(m) on its compensation practices and determine what further action, if
any, is appropriate.
Stock Ownership Requirements for Executive Officers
While the Company has not established stock ownership guidelines for its executive officer, at August 31, 2016, the
Company’s CEO owned stock with a market value of approximately of twelve times his base salary, which is in
excess of the six times base salary multiple that is the median multiple for CEOs of the Top 100 of S&P 500
companies and in excess of the ten times base salary that the Institutional Shareholder Services (“ISS”) recommends
for a “rigorous” stock ownership guideline.
Executive Compensation Tables
The Company’s CEO, Mr. Harding, is the Principal Executive Officer and the Principal Financial Officer of the
Company and its only executive officer. Therefore, all tables contained in this section relate solely to Mr. Harding.
Summary Compensation Table
Name and Principal Position
Mark W. Harding
President,
CEO and CFO
_________________________
Summary Compensation Table
Fiscal
Year
2016
2015
2014
Base
Salary
($)
285,000
275,000
275,000
Bonus
($)
125,000
350,000
150,000
Option
Awards
(1)
($)
188,000
—
—
Total
($)
598,000
625,000
425,000
(1) The amount in this column represents the aggregate grant date fair value of stock options awarded in fiscal 2017
(for performance in fiscal 2016) as computed in accordance with FASB ASC Top 718. See Note 8 –
Shareholders’ Equity to the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended August 31,
2016, which are included in our 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K for a description of the assumptions used to
value option awards and the manner in which the Company recognizes the related expense pursuant to FASB
ASC Topic 718.
13
Grants of Plan Based Awards – Mr. Harding did not receive any option awards grants during the year ended
August 31, 2016. Therefore, the Company has omitted the Grant of Plan Based Awards table.
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End – The following table summarizes certain information regarding
outstanding option awards held by the named executive officer at August 31, 2016. There are no other types of
equity awards outstanding.
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options(#)
Exerciseable
100,000
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Unexerciseable
(1)
0
Option Exercise Price
$5.88
Option
Expiration
Date
8/14/2023
Name
Mark W. Harding
_________________________
(1) One-third of the total number of shares of common stock subject to the option vested on each of the first,
second and third anniversary of the grant date, August 14, 2013.
Option Exercises and Stock Vested – Mr. Harding did not exercise any options or have any stock vest during the
year ended August 31, 2016. Therefore, the Company has omitted the Option Exercise and Stock Vested table.
Pension Benefits – The Company does not offer pension benefits. Therefore, the Company has omitted the Pension
Benefits Table.
Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation – The Company does not have any non-qualified deferred compensation
plans. Therefore, the Company has omitted the Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Table.
Termination or Change-in-Control Payments – The Company does not have any plan or arrangement that provides
for payments to the executive officer in connection with a termination or change of control.
Compensation Committee Report1
The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis with
management, and based on the Committee’s review and discussion with management, has recommended to the full
board of directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in the Company’s Proxy Statement
for the annual meeting of shareholders.
Respectfully submitted by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors
/s/ Arthur G. Epker, III (Chairman)
/s/ Harrison H. Augur
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE1
The Audit Committee of the board of directors is comprised of independent directors and operates under a written
charter adopted by the board of directors. The Audit Committee Charter is reassessed and updated as needed in
accordance with applicable rules of the SEC and The NASDAQ Stock Market.
1 These reports are not “soliciting material,” are not deemed “filed” with the Commission and are not to be
incorporated by reference in any filing of the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, irrespective of any general incorporation language in any such filing,
except to the extent the Company specifically references one of these reports.
14
The Audit Committee serves in an oversight capacity. Management is responsible for the Company’s internal
controls over financial reporting. The independent auditors are responsible for performing an independent audit of
the Company’s financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight
Board (“PCAOB”) and issuing a report thereon. The Audit Committee’s primary responsibility is to monitor and
oversee these processes and to select and retain the Company’s independent auditors. In fulfilling its oversight
responsibilities, the Audit Committee reviewed with management the Company’s audited financial statements and
discussed not only the acceptability but also the quality of the accounting principles, the reasonableness of the
significant judgments and estimates, critical accounting policies and the clarity of disclosures in the audited financial
statements prior to issuance.
The Audit Committee reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements as of and for the year ended
August 31, 2016 with the Company’s independent auditors, GHP Horwath, P.C. (“GHP”), and discussed not only
the acceptability but also the quality of the accounting principles, the reasonableness of the significant judgments
and estimates, critical accounting policies and the clarity of disclosures in the audited financial statements prior to
issuance. The Audit Committee meets with GHP, with and without management present, to discuss the results of
their examination and the overall quality of the Company’s financial reporting. The Audit Committee discussed and
reviewed with GHP all communications required by generally accepted auditing standards, including those
described in Statement on Auditing Standards (SAS) No. 61, as amended (AICPA, Professional Standards, Vol. 1,
AU section 380), as adopted by the PCAOB in Rule 3200T. The Audit Committee has received the written
disclosures and the letter from GHP required by the applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding independent
auditor communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence and has discussed GHP’s
independence with GHP.
Based on the foregoing, the Audit Committee recommended to the board of directors that the Company’s audited
financial statements be included in the Company’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2016.
/s/ Peter C. Howell (Chairman)
/s/ Harrison H. Augur
/s/ Richard L. Guido
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Agreements with Related Parties
On October 12, 2016, the Audit Committee approved accepting a bid submitted by Nelson Pipeline Constructors
LLC to construct the Sky Ranch pipeline for approximately $4.1 million (the “Nelson Bid”). Nelson Pipeline
Constructors LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Nelson Infrastructure Services LLC, a company in which Patrick
J. Beirne owns a 50% interest. In addition, Mr. Beirne, a director of Pure Cycle, is Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer of each of Nelson Pipeline Constructors LLC and Nelson Infrastructure Services LLC. Since Mr. Nelson is
the 50% owner of the parent company of Nelson Pipeline Constructors LLC, Mr. Nelson’s interest in the transaction
is approximately $2.05 million without taking into account any profit or loss from the Nelson Bid. Pursuant to the
Company’s policies for review and approval of related party transactions (discussed below), the Nelson Bid was
reviewed and approved by the Audit Committee and by the board of directors, with Mr. Beirne abstaining. The
Nelson Bid was the lowest bid received by the Company in connection with the Sky Ranch pipeline project and was
lower than the Company’s estimated cost to construct the pipeline on its own.
Review and Approval of Related Party Transactions
It is the Company’s policy as set forth in its Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that actual or apparent conflicts of
interest are to be avoided if possible and must be disclosed to the board of directors. Pursuant to the Code of
Business Conduct and Ethics and the Audit Committee Charter, any transaction involving a related party must be
reviewed and approved or disapproved by the Audit Committee. Additionally, the Audit Committee Charter requires
the Audit Committee to review any transaction involving the Company and a related party at least once a year or
upon any significant change in the transaction or relationship. The Code also provides non-exclusive examples of
conduct which would involve a potential conflict of interest and requires any material transaction involving a
potential conflict of interest to be approved in advance by the board. If a waiver from the Code is granted to an
15
executive officer or director, the nature of the waiver will be disclosed on the Company’s website, in a press release,
or on a current report on Form 8-K.
The Company annually requires each of its directors and executive officers to complete a directors’ and officers’
questionnaire that solicits information about related party transactions. The Company’s board of directors and
outside legal counsel review all transactions and relationships disclosed in the directors’ and officers’ questionnaire,
and the board makes a formal determination regarding each director’s independence. If a director is determined to
no longer be independent, such director, if he or she serves on any of the Audit Committee, the Nominating
Committee, or the Compensation Committee, will be removed from such committee prior to (or otherwise will not
participate in) any future meeting of the committee. If the transaction presents a conflict of interest, the board of
directors will determine the appropriate response.
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
(Proposal No. 1)
As of the time of the Meeting, the number of members of the board of directors will be fixed at six. The board of
directors nominates the following persons currently serving on the board for reelection to the board: Mark W.
Harding, Harrison H. Augur, Patrick J. Beirne, Arthur G. Epker, III, Richard L. Guido, and Peter C. Howell.
Set forth below are the names of all nominees for director, all positions and offices with the Company held by each
such person, the period during which each has served as such, and the principal occupations and employment of and
public company directorships held by such persons during at least the last five years, as well as additional
information regarding the skills, knowledge and experience with respect to each nominee which has led the board of
directors to conclude that each such nominee should be elected or re-elected as a director of the Company.
Mark W. Harding. Mr. Harding joined the Company in April 1990 as Corporate Secretary and Chief Financial
Officer. He was appointed President of the Company in April 2001, CEO in April 2005, and a member of the board
of directors in February 2004. Mr. Harding brings a background in investment banking and public finance, having
worked from 1988 to 1990 for Price Waterhouse’s management consulting services where he assisted clients in
public finance and other investment banking related services. Mr. Harding is the President and a board member of
both the Rangeview Metropolitan District and the Sky Ranch Metropolitan District #5, and Vice President of the
South Metro WISE Authority. In determining Mr. Harding’s qualifications to be on the board of directors, the board
of directors considered, among other things, that Mr. Harding serves on a number of advisory boards relating to
water and wastewater issues in the Denver region, including a statewide roundtable created by the Colorado
legislature charged with identifying ways in which Colorado can address the water shortages facing Front Range
cities including Denver and Colorado Springs. Mr. Harding earned a B.S. Degree in Computer Science and a
Masters in Business Administration in Finance from the University of Denver.
Harrison H. Augur. Mr. Augur joined the board and was elected Chairman in April 2001. For more than 20 years,
Mr. Augur has been involved with investment management and venture capital investment groups. Mr. Augur has
been a managing member of Patience Partners LLC since 1999. Mr. Augur received a Bachelor of Arts degree from
Yale University, an LLB degree from Columbia University School of Law, and an LLM degree from New York
University School of Law. In determining Mr. Augur’s qualifications to serve on the board of directors, the board of
directors has considered, among other things, his extensive experience and expertise in finance and law.
Patrick J. Beirne. Mr. Beirne was appointed to the board in January 2016. Since April 2015, Mr. Beirne has been
the Chairman and CEO of Nelson Infrastructure Services LLC, a private company 50% owned by Mr. Beirne
(“Nelson Infrastructure”), and Nelson Pipeline Constructors LLC (“Nelson Pipeline”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Nelson Infrastructure. In addition, he has been Chairman and CEO of Nelson Civil Construction Services LLC, a
90% subsidiary of Nelson Infrastructure, since it was founded in December 2015. Nelson Pipeline is a utility
contractor specializing in the construction of underground sewer, water and storm sewer pipelines. Prior to working
at Nelson Pipeline, Mr. Beirne worked at Pulte Group, Inc. for 29 years in various management roles, where he
gained extensive experience in the home building industry. In his last position with Pulte Group, Inc., from January
2008 to September 2014, he served as Central Area President where he helped create the strategy for the firm’s
long-term vision and oversaw operations in 10 states. Mr. Beirne earned a B.S. degree from Michigan State
University, is a Licensed General Contractor (Florida), and is active in many community and charitable
organizations. In determining Mr. Beirne’s qualifications to serve on the board of directors, the board has
16
considered, among other things, his extensive experience and expertise in the home building industry and in
construction of water and sewer pipelines.
Arthur G. Epker, III. Mr. Epker was appointed to the board in August 2007. Since 1992, Mr. Epker has been a Vice
President of PAR Capital Management, Inc., the investment advisor to PAR Investment Partners, L.P. In that
capacity, Mr. Epker manages a portion of the assets of PAR Investment Partners, L.P., a private investment fund and
shareholder of the Company. Mr. Epker received his undergraduate degree in computer science and economics with
highest distinction from the University of Michigan and received a Master of Business Administration from Harvard
Business School. In determining Mr. Epker’s qualifications to serve on the board of directors, the board of directors
has considered, among other things, his extensive experience and expertise in finance and investment management.
Richard L. Guido. Mr. Guido served as a member of the Company’s board from July 1996 through August 31,
2003, and rejoined the board in 2004. Mr. Guido was Associate General Counsel of DeltaCom, Inc., a
telecommunications company, from March 2006 to March 2007. From 1980 through 2004, Mr. Guido was an
employee of Inco Limited, a Canadian mining company listed on the NYSE (now known as Vale). While at Inco
Mr. Guido served as Associate General Counsel of Inco Limited and served as President, Chief Legal Officer and
Secretary of Inco United States, Inc., now known as Vale Americas, Inc. Mr. Guido received a Bachelor of Science
degree from the United States Air Force Academy, a Master of Arts degree from Georgetown University, and a Juris
Doctor degree from the Catholic University of America. In determining Mr. Guido’s qualifications to serve on the
board of directors, the board of directors has considered, among other things, his extensive experience and expertise
in finance, law and natural resource development.
Peter C. Howell. Mr. Howell was appointed to fill a vacancy on the board in February 2005. From 1997 to present,
Mr. Howell has served as an officer, director or advisor to various business enterprises in the area of acquisitions,
marketing and financial reporting. From August 1994 to August 1997, Mr. Howell served as the Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer of Signature Brands USA, Inc. (formerly known as Health-O-Meter), and from 1989 to
1994 Mr. Howell served as Chief Executive Officer and a director of Mr. Coffee, Inc. Mr. Howell is a member of
the board of directors of Great Lakes Cheese, Inc., a privately held company. Mr. Howell also spent 10 years as an
auditor for Arthur Young & Co. (now Ernst & Young). Mr. Howell received a Master of Arts degree in Economics
from Cambridge University. In determining Mr. Howell’s qualifications to serve on the board of directors, the board
of directors has considered, among other things, his extensive experience and expertise in finance and financial
reporting qualifying him as an audit committee financial expert as well as his general business expertise.
The proxy cannot be voted for more than the six nominees named. Directors are elected for one-year terms or until
the next annual meeting of the shareholders and until their successors are elected and qualified. All of the nominees
have expressed their willingness to serve, but if because of circumstances not contemplated, one or more nominees
is not available for election, the proxy holders named in the enclosed proxy card intend to vote for such other person
or persons as the Nominating Committee may nominate.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT THE SHAREHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE
ELECTION AS DIRECTORS OF THE PERSONS NOMINATED.
____________________________
RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT
REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
(Proposal No. 2)
Action is to be taken by the shareholders at the Meeting with respect to the ratification and approval of the selection
by the Audit Committee of the Company’s board of directors of GHP Horwath, P.C. (“GHP”) to be the independent
registered public accounting firm of the Company for the fiscal year ending August 31, 2017. In the event of a
negative vote on such ratification, the Audit Committee of the board of directors will reconsider its selection. A
representative of GHP is expected to be present at the Meeting. The GHP representative will have the opportunity to
make a statement if he or she desires to do so, and is expected to be available to respond to appropriate questions.
The Audit Committee reviews and approves in advance the audit scope, the types of non-audit services, if any, and
the estimated fees for each category for the coming year. For each category of proposed service, GHP is required to
17
confirm that the provision of such services does not impair the auditors’ independence. Before selecting GHP, the
Audit Committee carefully considered that firm’s qualifications as an independent registered public accounting firm
for the Company. This included a review of its performance in prior years, as well as its reputation for integrity and
competence in the fields of accounting and auditing. The Audit Committee has expressed its satisfaction with GHP
in all of these respects. The Audit Committee’s review included inquiry concerning any litigation involving GHP
and any proceedings by the SEC against the firm.
GHP has no direct or indirect financial interest in the Company and does not have any connection with the Company
in the capacity of promoter, underwriter, voting trustee, director, officer or employee. Neither the Company, nor any
officer, director nor associate of the Company has any interest in GHP.
Fees – For the fiscal years ended August 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company was billed the following audit, audit-
related, tax and other fees by its independent registered public accountant. The tax fees consist entirely of fees for
the preparation of the federal and state corporate tax returns. The Audit Committee approved 100% of these fees in
accordance with the Audit Committee Charter.
Audit Fees
Audit Related Fees
Tax
All Other Fees
Total
_________________________
For the Fiscal Years Ended
(1)
August 31,
2016
95,000
—
1,300
—
96,300
$
$
$
$
(1)
August 31,
2015
$ 108,000
—
$
2,200
$
—
$
$ 110,200
(1) Fees are based on actual billings through August 31. During fiscal year 2014, the Company became an
“accelerated filer” with the SEC requiring an audit of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting,
which work was billed in Fiscal 2015.
Pre-Approval Policy – The Audit Committee has established a pre-approval policy in its charter. In accordance with
the policy, the Audit Committee pre-approves all audit, non-audit and internal control related services provided by
the independent auditors prior to the engagement of the independent auditors with respect to such services.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE RATIFICATION OF
THE APPOINTMENT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS.
____________________________
ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
(Proposal No. 3)
The following proposal provides our shareholders with the opportunity to vote to approve or not approve, on an
advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officer as disclosed in the proxy statement in accordance
with the compensation disclosure rules of the SEC.
We urge shareholders to read the “Executive Compensation” section beginning on page 10 of this proxy statement,
as well as the Summary Compensation Table and other related compensation tables and narrative, beginning on
page 13 of the proxy statement, which provide detailed information on the compensation of our named executive
officer. The Company’s compensation programs are designed to support its business goals and promote short- and
long-term profitable growth of the Company.
We are asking shareholders to approve the following advisory resolution at the Meeting:
RESOLVED, that the shareholders of the Company approve, on an advisory basis, the
compensation of the Company’s named executive officer, as disclosed pursuant to Item 402 of
Regulation S-K, including the disclosure under the heading “Executive Compensation” and in the
18
compensation tables and accompanying narrative discussion in the Company’s Definitive Proxy
Statement.
This advisory resolution, commonly referred to as a “say-on-pay” resolution, is not binding on the Company or the
board of directors. The say-on-pay proposal is not intended to address any specific item of compensation, but rather
the overall compensation of our named executive officer and the executive compensation policies, practices, and
plans described in this proxy statement. Although non-binding, the board of directors will carefully review and
consider the voting results when making future decisions regarding the Company’s executive compensation
program. Based on the advisory vote of the shareholders at the 2015 annual meeting of shareholders, the board of
directors determined that it would conduct an advisory vote on executive compensation on an annual basis.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the board of directors may decide to conduct advisory votes on a more or less
frequent basis and may vary its practice based on factors such as discussions with shareholders and the adoption of
material changes to compensation programs.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE APPROVAL, ON AN ADVISORY
BASIS, OF THE COMPENSATION OF THE COMPANY’S NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICER.
____________________________
ACTION TO BE TAKEN UNDER THE PROXY
The proxy will be voted “FOR” the individuals nominated by the board and “FOR” approval of Proposals 2 and 3,
unless the proxy is marked in such a manner as to withhold authority to so vote. The proxy will also be voted in
connection with the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the Meeting or any
adjournments or postponements thereof. Management knows of no other matters, other than the matters set forth
above, to be considered at the Meeting. If, however, any other matters properly come before the Meeting or any
adjournment thereof, the persons named in the accompanying proxy will vote such proxy in accordance with their
best judgment on any such matter. The persons named in the accompanying proxy will also, if in their judgment it is
deemed to be advisable, vote to adjourn the Meeting from time to time.
Section 16 (a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
OTHER INFORMATION
The Company’s directors and executive officers and persons who are beneficial owners of more than 10% of
common stock are required to file reports of their holdings and transactions in common stock with the SEC and
furnish the Company with such reports. Based solely upon the review of the copies of the Section 16(a) reports
received by the Company and written representations from these persons, the Company believes that during the
fiscal year ended August 31, 2016, all the directors, executive officers and 10% beneficial owners complied with the
applicable Section 16(a) filing requirements.
Shareholder Proposals
Shareholder proposals for inclusion in the Proxy Statement for the 2017 annual meeting of shareholders must be
received at the principal executive offices of the Company by August 6, 2017, but not before June 8, 2017. For more
information refer to the Company’s bylaws which were filed as Appendix C to the Proxy Statement on
Schedule 14A filed with the SEC on December 14, 2007. The Company is not required to include proposals
received outside of these dates in the proxy materials for the 2017 annual meeting of shareholders, and any such
proposals shall be considered untimely. The persons named in the proxy will have discretionary authority to vote all
proxies with respect to any untimely proposals.
Delivery of Materials to Shareholders with Shared Addresses
The Company utilizes a procedure approved by the SEC called “householding,” which reduces printing and postage
costs. Shareholders who have the same address and last name will receive one copy of the Important Notice
Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials or one set of printed proxy materials unless one or more of these
shareholders has provided contrary instructions.
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If you wish to receive a separate copy of the proxy statement, the Notice, or the Company’s Annual Report on
Form 10-K, or if you are receiving multiple copies and would like to receive a single copy, please contact the
Company’s transfer agent at 1-855-418-5058, or write to or call the Company’s Secretary at the Company’s address
or phone number set forth above, and the Company will undertake to deliver such documents promptly. If your
shares are owned through a bank, broker or other nominee, you may request householding by contacting the
nominee.
Form 10-K and Related Exhibits
The Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K is available, free of charge, at the Company’s website,
www.purecyclewater.com, or at the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov. In addition, the Company will furnish a copy of
its Form 10-K to any shareholder free of charge and a copy of any exhibit to the Form 10-K upon payment of the
Company’s reasonable expenses incurred in furnishing such exhibit(s). You may request a copy of the Form 10-K or
any exhibit thereto by writing the Company’s Secretary at: Pure Cycle Corporation, 34501 E. Quincy Avenue,
Bldg. 34, Box 10, Watkins, CO 80137, or by sending an email to info@purecyclewater.com. The information on the
Company’s website is not part of this proxy statement.
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This Annual Report to Shareholders, including the letter to the shareholders from President Mark W. Harding, contains forward‐looking
statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 1934, as amended. The words “will”, “expect”, “should”, “scheduled”, “plan”, “believe”, “promise”, “anticipate”,
“could” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward‐looking statements. Pure Cycle expectations regarding these matters
are only its forecasts. These forecasts may be substantially different from actual results, which are affected by many factors. The use of
“Pure Cycle”, “our”, “we”, and similar terms are not intended to describe or imply particular corporate organizations or relationships.
Executive Officer and Directors
Mark W. Harding - President, Chief Executive / Financial Officer, Director
Harrison H. Augur - Chairman of the Board
Richard L. Guido - Nominating and Governance Committee Chairman
Peter C. Howell - Audit Committee Chairman
Arthur G. Epker, III - Compensation Committee Chairman
Patrick J. Beirne - Director
Corporate Legal Counsel
Davis, Graham & Stubbs LLP
1550 17th Street, Suite 500
Denver, CO 80202
303.892.9400
Independent Registered Public Accountants
GHP Horwath, P.C.
1801 California Street, Suite 2200
Denver, CO 80202
303.831.5000
Stock Transfer Agent & Register
Broadridge Corporate Issuer Services, Inc.
1717 Arch Street, Suite 1300,
Philadelphia, PA 19103
855.418.5058
Our stock is traded on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “PCYO”.
For more information please visit our website at www.purecyclewater.com