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Water & Sanitation District Articles

Donala Water and Sanitation District, March 27 and April 16 – Board hires new general manager

Highlights

  • At a special meeting March 27, the DWSD board selected John Kuosman as general manager at a salary of $190,000, after interviewing four finalists; Christina Hawker was named deputy general manager and chief financial officer at $175,000.
  • During the April 16 regular meeting, experts outlined renewable water rights, exchange opportunities, four water-source strategies, and Loop water reuse project implications for user rates.
  • Water exchanges could convert stranded renewable water into usable supply, connecting four exchange-to sites with five exchange-from sites to reduce reliance on CSU and improve sustainability.
  • Four water-source strategies were presented: (0) greater groundwater reliance with high long-term cost, (1) more CSU-provided water with continued groundwater use, (2) Loop water reuse participation, and (3) full use of water exchanges; Northern Monument Creek Interceptor (NMCI) participation was also discussed as an option.
  • Practical implications include rate and debt effects through 2027–2035: Scenario 1 (Loop with Upper Monument Creek Regional Waste Water Treatment Facility alone) adds about $3.8 million in annual debt service; Scenario 2 (Loop with NMCI) adds about $4.7 million, with higher early rate increases but lower annual operating costs.

By James Howald and Jackie Burhans

At a special session on March 27, the Donala Water and Sanitation District (DWSD) board interviewed finalists for the role of general manager and chose John Kuosman to fill the position.

At its regular meeting on April 16, the board heard three presentations addressing complex strategic decisions facing the board. Kelsey Briggs and Carly Bonwell, of Spheros Environmental, discussed Donala’s renewable water rights and analyzed how exchanges could be used to maximize the district’s ability to translate water rights into water available to its customers. Brett Gracely, of Plummer, led the board in a discussion of four alternative approaches to water source management the district could pursue. Todd Cristiano, of Raftelis, analyzed how the district’s participation in the Loop water re-use project and decisions about its wastewater treatment will affect user rates.

Kuosman to manage district

John Kuosman

The board interviewed Christina Hawker, who is currently serving as interim general manager, John Kuosman, Kevin Niles, and Jonathon Smith for the job of general manager. The four finalists were selected from a field of 14 applicants. They were asked about their qualifications, management experience, plans for transitioning into the role, and vision for the district. Kuosman previously served as the interim workflow manager for the Loop.

Following the interviews, the board moved into an executive session to discuss the interviews. After returning to open session, Director Ken Judd moved to offer the job to Kuosman at a salary of $190,000, and the board voted unanimously in favor. Judd made a second motion to promote Hawker to deputy general manager and chief financial officer at a salary of $175,000, effective immediately, and the board voted all aye.

Water exchanges minimize “stranded” water

In an introductory letter to the board, Briggs said Donala currently relies mostly on non-renewable groundwater drawn from Denver Basin aquifers, and this reliance brings risks for the district’s customers. In addition to groundwater, Donala has three renewable water rights, but two of the three are “stranded,” that is, the district currently has no way to convey the water to its customers. Donala’s Laughlin Ditch water and the effluent from its Upper Monument Creek Regional Waste Water Treatment Facility (UMCRWWTF) are in the stranded category. The Laughlin Ditch diverts water from Fountain Creek near the Stratmoor Hills neighborhood in southwest Colorado Springs. The district also has renewable water from its Willow Creek Ranch near Leadville. DWSD has a contract with Colorado Springs Utilities to treat its Willow Creek water and convey it to customers after it is stored in the Pueblo Reservoir.

In her presentation, Briggs explained that a water exchange is an administrative mechanism that allows water to be diverted from an upstream “exchange-to” location and then replaced at a downstream “exchange-from” location, so that other water right owners get the water they are entitled to. In effect, water exchanges move water upstream without the use of pumps or pipelines. Water exchanges do not create additional water for water right holders but allow existing water rights to be used more efficiently and sustainably, Briggs said, and can be used to make stranded water available to customers.

The district has four “exchange-to” locations: the Chilcott Ditch headgate, an inlet of Bristlecone Reservoir off Beaver Creek, a future point of diversion at the confluence of Jackson Creek and Monument Creek, and a non-potable pipeline diverting off Monument Creek directly below the UMCRWWTF.

The district has five “exchange-from” locations: the confluence of the Arkansas River and Fountain Creek, the Stonewall Springs Reservoir Complex, the Spring Creek augmentation station, the outfall of the UMCRWWTF and the outfall of the J. D. Phillips Water Resource Recovery Facility.

Briggs analyzed how the locations above could be connected to minimize the district’s reliance on its costly contract with CSU, use its Laughlin water rights and UMCRWWTF effluent return flows, avoid having to release water when the Pueblo Reservoir is full, avoid the need to lease water to downstream users at below-market rates, and support the district’s Aquifer Storage and Recovery goals.

Each of the possible exchanges has its own average and maximum potential to convey water, number of days when water is likely to be available for exchange, requirements for storage, and set of legalities related to water rights. Briggs noted that exchanges can vary in their volumes between wet and dry years, so groundwater would continue to be necessary as a backup.

Board President Wayne Vanderschuere said the district’s goal was to transition as completely as possible to renewable water sources and asked Briggs which scenario would bring the district closest to that goal. Briggs suggested pursuing several exchanges simultaneously. Vanderschuere asked Briggs to continue her analysis by ranking the exchanges with and without the Loop.

Four water source strategies discussed

Gracely laid out four alternatives for the board to consider:

  • Alternative 0—Increase reliance on ground water and plan to replace one well every three years instead of every seven years, at a long-term cost of $167 million.
  • Alternative 1—Make greater use of water provided by CSU, while still pumping 500 acre-feet per year of groundwater, at a long-term cost of $143 million.
  • Alternative 2—Participate in the Loop water re-use project, at a long-term cost of $160 million.
  • Alternative 3—Make full use of water exchanges, at a long-term cost of $112 million.

Each alternative was discussed from the perspective that DWSD might continue to operate the UMCRWWTF by itself or might decide to participate in the Northern Monument Creek Interceptor (NMCI) project. The NMCI is a project managed by CSU that conveys wastewater from districts north of Colorado Springs to CSU’s J.D. Phillips Water Resource Recovery Facility, thereby sparing those districts the cost of operating their own treatment facilities. DWSD currently operates the UMCRWWTF with two partners, Triview Metropolitan District and Forest Lakes Metropolitan District, but those partners have decided to move to the NMCI to handle their wastewater. NMCI does not provide a way for participating districts to reuse their treated wastewater.

Vanderschuere pointed out that the alternatives 0 and 1 could be done at the discretion of DWSD alone but neither advances the district’s goal of moving to all renewable water sources. DWSD’s Laughlin water rights remain stranded in those approaches. Alternative 2—participation in the Loop—provides more renewable water at a lower price, Vanderschuere said. He added that using the NMCI was more expensive in present value.

Gracely said “if he could wave a wand” the Loop would be built at an affordable price, DWSD would get an exchange decree to convey its Willow Creek Ranch water to the Chilcott Ditch and would be able to use 300 acre-feet per year of its Laughlin water rights, and Direct Potable Reuse of effluent from the UMCRWWTF would be added as a water source.

Both choices require rate increases

Cristiano discussed how two scenarios will impact rates from 2027 to 2035:

• Scenario 1—DWSD participates in the Loop and is sole operator of the UMCRWWTF.

• Scenario 2—DWSD participates in the Loop and joins the NMCI project.

Cristiano said scenario 1 would add $3.8 million in new debt service per year by 2035, while scenario 2 would add $4.7 million in new debt service over the same period. Scenario 1 would require operating and maintenance costs of $2.2 million per year, while scenario 2 would require lower operating and maintenance costs of $1.8 million per year. Both scenarios require $7 million in well replacements.

Both scenarios lead to significant rate increases between 2027 and 2030, after which time rate increases will decrease to 3% per year until 2035.

Scenario 1 will require the following increases for the next four years:
– 2027–20%.
– 2028–14%.
– 2029–13%.
– 2030–12%.

Scenario 2 will require the following increases over the same period:
– 2027–26%.
– 2028–15%.
– 2029–15%.
– 2030–10%.

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The next board meeting is on Thursday, May 21, at 1:30 p.m. Generally, board meetings are held the third Thursday of the month at 1:30 p.m. and include online access; call (719) 488-3603 or access www.donalawater.org to receive up-to-date meeting information. The district office is located at 15850 Holbein Drive, Colorado Springs.

James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me. Jackie Burhans can be reached at jackieburhans@ocn.me.

Other Donala Water and Sanitation District articles

Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District, April 9 – District signs on to PFAS lawsuit

Highlights

  • The WWSD board approved a letter of engagement with SL Environmental Law Group to pursue recovery of PFAS mitigation costs under a potential 3M and DuPont settlement, which could provide up to $12.5 billion for affected public water systems.
  • It was confirmed that WWSD well water tests show no PFAS, but PFAS is present in Fountain Creek and will require treatment for water from Woodmoor Ranch when routed through the Loop project.
  • The board authorized a contract for Well 12R site work with Gordon Construction for $270,000, following a low bid of $238,000 and contingencies added.
  • WWSD entered a 2016-2026 water lease with AGRA for Woodmoor Ranch water at $135 per acre-foot, potentially delivering up to 1,500 acre-feet and $100,000–$200,000, with flexibility on the amount of water provided.
  • The county bought a small land parcel and a 5,000-square-foot easement for roadway and drainage improvements, with the sale approved unanimously.
  • An amended lease with Apollo's Park Solar LLC was authorized to ensure continued rent and proper transfer from Enerfin Renewables LLC, while the Loop project public outreach and district financials dominated discussion, ending with an executive session.

By James Howald

At its April 9 meeting, the Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District (WWSD) board approved a letter of engagement with the SL Environmental Law Group PC (SLEL) to investigate recovering costs to the district for future PFAS mitigation related to the Loop project. It awarded a contract for site work at Well 12R and agreed to lease water to the Arkansas Groundwater and Reservoir Association (AGRA). Note: Arkansas refers to the Arkansas River, not the state.

The board sold a small piece of land to El Paso County and amended its lease with Apollo’s Park Solar LLC. It heard financial and operational reports, and the meeting ended with an executive session.

District could participate in PFAS settlement

Tamara Seaver, WWSD’s attorney, told the board that 3M and DuPont have agreed to a settlement requiring them to reimburse cities, towns, and public water systems for costs related to contamination by PFAS chemicals in products those companies produced. The companies knew PFAS chemicals posed health risks but continued to sell products including them. Together, 3M and DuPont have put aside up to $12.5 billion to pay for damages resulting from PFAS, Seaver said.

PFAS chemicals, sometimes called “forever chemicals” because they do not naturally break down over time, have been used in a wide range of products, including Teflon non-stick cookware and fire suppression foam and clothing. They can cause serious health problems, including cancer.

Seaver said she believed WWSD met the criteria to participate in the PFAS payout and recommended the district sign a letter of engagement with SLEL, which will pursue the district’s claim to compensation.

In response to a question from Director Roy Martinez, Operations Superintendent Dan LaFontaine said that WWSD has tested the groundwater it pumps from its wells and the water it diverts from Monument Creek, and both of those sources are free from PFAS. However, Fountain Creek does contain PFAS, LaFontaine said, and when WWSD begins to deliver water from Woodmoor Ranch to its customers via the Loop water re-use project, that water will need to be treated to remove PFAS chemicals. Martinez pointed out that funds from the PFAS settlement would help defray the costs of PFAS mitigation.

The design for the Advanced Water Treatment Plant that will be part of the Loop infrastructure uses Granulated Activated Charcoal (GAC) to remove PFAS before the water is delivered to customers, according to a presentation from Burns & McDonnell, the company that did the preliminary design for the plant delivered to the Loop Board of Directors on Feb. 18. Further details about the design of the plant can be found here: https://wp.ocn.me/v26n3loop/.

Board President Brian Bush said SLEL would receive a contingency fee of 25% of any money collected from the PFAS settlement. He noted contingency fees of 40% were common. He recommended the board authorize him to sign the letter of engagement with SLEL.

Seaver told the board that if it did not pursue its claim from the current PFAS settlement, it would be barred from seeking relief from 3M and DuPont in the future.

The board voted unanimously to authorize Bush to sign the letter of engagement.

Well 12R contract awarded

Richard Hood, of JVA Inc., told the board that, following a request for proposal published in March, two companies made bids to complete work at the site of Well 12R, a re-drilled well in South Woodmoor Preserve near Muzzle Loader Way. The work includes moving the pump and pump motor from the original Well 12 into the re-drilled well, installing site piping to move water from Well 12R to the wellhouse, testing electrical cabling, and landscaping. Gordon Construction Co. Inc. submitted the low bid at $238,000. The bid from Glacier Construction Co. Inc. was much higher at $452,000, Hood said. Shaffer asked that 15% be added to the bid for contingencies, and the board voted to authorize $270,000 for the project and award the contract to Gordon Construction.

Woodmoor Ranch water leased to AGRA

Shaffer told the board that the district’s water attorney, Fritz Holleman, had vetted a lease for the district to provide water from Woodmoor Ranch to AGRA until November of 2026 for $135 per acre-foot. Shaffer said projections indicated the district could provide up to 1,500 acre-feet of water, yielding $100,000 to $200,000.

He explained that AGRA leases water from many sources and resells it to farmers who need to offset depletions resulting from pumping groundwater. Shaffer noted that the lease would be the first time the district uses water from Woodmoor Ranch for municipal purposes, after completing the revegetation required to transition the water from agricultural to municipal applications.

LaFontaine said the lease did not commit the district to providing a set amount of water: “We could send nothing, or we could send 500 acre-feet.” In return for flexibility on the amount of water to be provided, the district accepted a lower price per acre-foot.

The board voted unanimously to execute the lease agreement with AGRA.

County buys land, temporary easement

Shaffer asked the board to consider selling 350 square feet of land at the intersection of Deer Creek Road and Base Camp Road, just east of SecurCare Self Storage, along with a temporary 5,000-square-foot easement, for $15,725. The county wants the land and easement for the construction of roadway improvements and drainage facilities. The board voted unanimously to approve the sale.

Lease for solar array amended

At its meeting in March, WWSD discussed its agreement with Apollo’s Park Solar LLC, which leases 100 acres of Woodmoor Ranch to use as the site of a solar array. At its April meeting, the board authorized Bush to sign an amended version of the lease, which makes clear that Apollo’s Park will pay rent for the remainder of the year and addresses Seaver’s concerns that the lease, which was originally signed with Enerfin Renewables LLC, can properly be transferred to Apollo’s Park. The board authorized Bush to sign the amended lease.

Financial and operational reports

In his financial report, board Treasurer Dana Franzen noted that his original estimate of the net income for the district in 2025 was $686,000 too low, and the final number was $1.25 million. Adjustments to the interest expense for 2025 accounted for the increase in net income.

For 2026, Franzen said revenue for the first two months of 2026 is a bit ahead of plan. The district has billed for more water at a higher rate than at the same time last year and was $528,000 in the black at the end of February.

Franzen was surprised by the high amount of overtime in the first two months of 2026. Shaffer explained that a higher-than-usual number of distribution system failures led to more overtime.

In his Manager’s Report, Shaffer said the Loop water re-use project, for which he serves as the board president, was ramping up an effort to educate the public. He and Martinez spoke to the Pikes Peak Regional Home Builders Department about the Loop’s plan to transition customers from non-renewable aquifers to renewable water sources, and they have been invited to address the Kiwanis Club.

In his water report, LaFontaine noted that despite the dry weather, the district is diverting 450,000 gallons a day from Monument Creek to Lake Woodmoor. The lake is within 3 feet of its maximum capacity, LaFontaine said, adding, “It feels we are finally back on track,” after having to drain the lake completely to maintain the dam and upgrade the lift station.

Executive session

The meeting ended with an executive session regarding the purchase or sale of real property, the receipt of legal advice on agreements with Rex Colorado Corp., the Loop Water Authority and Quantum Group. A personnel issue was also on the agenda. No action was taken following the executive session.

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The next meeting is on May 11 at 1 p.m. Meetings are usually held on the second Monday of each month at 1 p.m. at the district office at 1845 Woodmoor Drive. Please see www.woodmoorwater.com or call 719-488-2525 to verify meeting times and locations.

James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me.

Other Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District articles

Monument Sanitation District, April 15 – Monument Ridge West addition included in service area

Highlights

  • The Monument Sanitation District board unanimously approved the petition to include a 10-acre property west of I-25 into its service area, after an engineering study found existing infrastructure sufficient.
  • The inclusion petition, filed by Monument Ridge West LLC, pertains to inclusion—not annexation—and requires MRW to install a wastewater pipeline along Beacon Lite Road before El Paso County completes its road project.
  • The board noted the pipeline installation is needed to convey wastewater from the site to MSD's sewer lines, with coordination on final plans and budgeting underway with MRW's contractor.
  • The district approved minor changes to the employee handbook, specifically correcting hours of work and paid time off policies.

By Jackie Burhans and James Howald

At its meeting in April, the Monument Sanitation District (MSD) board held a public meeting, followed by a vote, on a petition to include a 10-acre property in the MSD service area. The board approved minor changes to the district’s employee handbook and heard a report from District Manager Mark Parker.

Public hearing and vote on inclusion

Board President Dan Hamilton opened a public hearing on a petition from Monument Ridge West LLC (MRW) to include a 10-acre property just west of I-25 into the MSD service area. MRW recently received a boundary line adjustment from El Paso County, adding the 10 acres to a larger property it already owns at the intersection of I-25 and County Line Road, which has been discussed as a possible location for a Buc-ee’s travel center.

Parker explained that the petition was for inclusion into the district’s service area and was not an annexation. Hamilton added that annexations are done by municipalities; special districts, such as MSD, use the legal process of inclusion, which is much simpler than annexation, when they need to add property into their service areas. Parker added that an engineering study determined that MSD has adequate infrastructure to support the inclusion.

Hamilton said the developer would pay to install the pipeline along Beacon Lite Road needed to convey wastewater from the site to MSD’s existing sewer lines adjacent to the Wakonda Hills neighborhood. Parker said the pipeline would need to be installed before El Paso County completes its project to straighten and level Beacon Lite Road, as the county would put a moratorium on any work requiring changes to the road once its project is completed. Parker said the contractor MRW hired to install the pipeline has reached out to the district to review final plans and discuss a budget for the work.

Hamilton closed the hearing, and the board voted unanimously to approve the petition for inclusion.

Employee handbook updated

The board voted in favor of Resolution 26-04152026, which makes minor corrections regarding hours of work and paid time off policies in the employee handbook.

Manager’s report

Parker told the board he had received paperwork for a Chipotle Mexican Grill to open in the space that previously housed an Arby’s.

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Monument Sanitation District meetings are held at 9 a.m. on the third Wednesday of the month in the district conference room at 130 Second St., Monument. The next regular meeting is scheduled for May 20. See MonumentSanitationDistrict.org. For a district service map, see www.MonumentSanitationDistrict.org/district-map. For information: 719-481-4886.

Jackie Burhans can be reached at jackieburhans@ocn.me. James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me.

March 25, landfill on the property atop Monument hill proposed for a future Buc-ee’s. Photo by Allen Alchian.

Other Monument Sanitation District articles

El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority, April 16 – Design contracts awarded

Highlights

  • The El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority awarded design contracts for two major Loop portions, selecting JVA Inc. to finish the pipeline and pump design begun by Burns & McDonnell, while CDM Smith continues work on expanding the Callahan Reservoir.
  • Burns & McDonnell had brought 28 miles of pipeline and five pump stations to 30% completion; JVA's proposal will complete the remaining design work, per board guidance from President Jessie Shaffer.
  • An ARPA deadline extension was approved, extending the expenditure deadline from June to September 2026, easing time pressure on the Loop to spend about $1.3 million of the $4 million ARPA funds.
  • The Loop reported ongoing project updates: Merrick & Co. reviewed Callahan Reservoir expansion design; Western States Land Services LLC finished surveys for Southern and Northern Alignments; Central Alignment surveys are ongoing with some landowners delaying easement negotiations.
  • The board received March invoices total of $253,000 for payment and noted BOCC reimbursement of Q4 2025 expenses, with cash reserves at $595,000 at the end of March.
  • An employee handbook was presented as the Loop moves toward hiring its first employee, an executive director, with the handbook ensuring compliance with the Family Medical Leave Act; the board will vote on it at the next meeting.

By James Howald

The El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority (EPCRLWA, or the Loop) awarded contracts for the design of two major portions of the Loop at its April meeting. Board President Jessie Shaffer discussed an extension of the deadline for the Loop to spend the money it received from the American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA). Rebecca Hutchinson, the Loop’s interim workflow manager, gave the board an update, and Shaffer presented a financial report on behalf of Fromm and Co., the Loop’s accounting firm. In anticipation of hiring its first employee, an executive director, the board adopted an employee handbook.

Pipeline design and reservoir expansion contracts awarded

Shaffer told the board that he had discussed the future of the contract to design the pumps and pipelines with the other directors on the Loop board, and a consensus was reached to hire JVA Inc. to complete the design that was begun by Burns & McDonnell.

Burns & McDonnell brought the design of 28 miles of pipeline and five pump stations, needed to convey treated water from the Callahan Reservoir to customers in the participating water districts, to 30% completion. The terms of the Loop’s funding from ARPA required the remainder of the design work to be rebid, Shaffer said, and JVA’s proposal led to it being chosen to complete the design. He asked Hutchinson to reach out to JVA to start the process.

Shaffer said CDM Smith would continue with its design work for the expansion of the Callahan Reservoir.

ARPA deadline extended

Shaffer said about $1.3 million of the $4 million the Loop received from ARPA in 2022 remained to be spent. The act required the funds, which are administered by the El Paso Board of County Commissioners (BOCC), to be spent by June 30, 2026. Kathy Fromm, the Loop’s accountant, asked the commissioners for a three-month extension of the deadline, which the commissioners granted, giving the Loop until September to spend the funds. Shaffer said the extension took pressure off the Loop board.

Project update

Hutchinson said she was attending meetings to manage the integration of JVA into the work on the Advanced Water Treatment Plant and other aspects of the Loop. She noted there was continued interest in the Loop on the part of contractors and engineering companies. Merrick & Co. reviewed the design work on the Callahan Reservoir expansion. Western States Land Services LLC has completed the survey work required for the easements for the Southern Alignment, which will connect the water treatment plant at the Callahan Reservoir to the Sundance Pipeline, and for the Northern Alignment, which will connect the Sundance Pipeline to consumers in the participating districts. The survey work for the Central Alignment, which consists of the Sundance Pipeline, is ongoing, Hutchinson said, noting that some landowners are holding back in their easement negotiations.

Financial report

Shaffer told the board invoices totaling $253,000 had been received in March. The board authorized payment. He said the BOCC had reimbursed the Loop for its Q4 2025 expenses, and the Loop’s cash reserves were $595,000 at the end of March.

The board voted unanimously to accept the financial report.

Employee handbook presented

Shaffer presented an employee handbook for the board’s consideration. The Loop is hiring an executive director, who will be its first employee, and the handbook is part of that process, Shaffer said. The Loop will abide by the rules of the Family Medical Leave Act, a federal program that provides unpaid medical leave, Shaffer said, arguing it was needed to attract the level of employee the Loop is seeking for the executive director position. The board will vote on the handbook at its next meeting.

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The next regular meeting is scheduled for May 21 at 9 a.m. Regular meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month at 9 a.m. at the Monument Town Hall at 645 Beacon Lite Road. Please see loopwater.org or call 719-488-3603 to verify meeting times and locations.

James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me.

Loop water supply route.

Other El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority articles

Triview Metropolitan District, April 23 – Northern Monument Creek Interceptor funded; 2026 budget amended

Highlights

  • The Triview Metropolitan District approved funding for the Northern Monument Creek Interceptor (NMCI) project with proposed bonds not to exceed 35 million dollars, interest capped at 5.75%, and backloaded payments from 2028 to 2056.
  • The NMCI project is a 10.1-mile pipeline to transport untreated wastewater to CSU's facility, with a 99-year treatment contract and district ownership in the pipeline, enabling bond financing from the Enterprise Fund; voter approval is not required.
  • The 2026 budget was amended to reflect NMCI-related costs, Higby Road construction acceleration, a delayed Administrative/Utility building completion, and additional revenues from NMCI bonds and Meritage Home tap fees.
  • The district will share debt service for NMCI: Forest Lakes Metro District contributes about 20%, while Triview covers about 80%; NMCI remains the largest anticipated construction cost at roughly $33 million.
  • Water operations face limited supplies: the region's spring run-off was the lowest on record, and some priority water rights cannot be used; the district has 600 acre-feet available and relies on complex exchanges, with the Northern Delivery System producing 57% of March's supply.
  • Higby Road work continues with Kiewit installing curbs and gutters; a new ADA-compliant Venison Creek Park play area is complete with a ribbon-cutting planned for June 5.

By Natalie Barszcz

Editor’s note: OCN needs a reporter to cover Triview Metropolitan District meetings. We will train you! Contact John Heiser at (719) 488-3455.

At the Triview Metropolitan District (TMD) regular meeting on April 23, the board approved bond funding for the Northern Monument Creek Interceptor (NMCI) project and held a public hearing before approving amendments to the 2026 budget. The board received updates on the district’s water availability and well levels, and the efforts to mitigate forested areas of the district, and the Higby Road improvement project.

The board held an executive session regarding an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with the Town of Monument (TOM) and IGAs related to the NMCI project.

NMCI project funding

The board received a presentation from Kutak Rock LLP, providing bond counsel for the proposed issuance of water and wastewater enterprise bonds to fund the cost-sharing agreement for the NMCI. The proposed bonds are not to exceed $35 million, with interest rates capped at 5.75% and payments backloaded to minimize annual costs from 2028 through 2056.

Background: The NMCI project is a proposed 10.1-mile pipeline that would transport untreated wastewater from TMD and Forest Lakes Metropolitan District (FLMD) to the Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU) J.D. Phillips Water Resource Recovery Facility (near I-25 and Garden of the Gods Road) for processing. See https://wp.ocn.me/v26n4tmd.

The agreement provides a 99-year contract per term for the treatment of the district’s wastewater and allows ownership in the pipeline, providing an asset for financing the project via bonds from the Enterprise Fund. Voter approval is not required for the Enterprise Fund.

The board unanimously approved Resolution 2026-06, a resolution approving revenue bonds for the participation in the NMCI.

2026 budget amendment

The board held a public hearing for the proposed budget amendment before District Manager James McGrady said the 2026 budget required amending due to the following costs and revenues that were unknown in December 2025 when the budget was originally approved:

  • The NMCI project is the largest construction cost undertaken by the district, estimated at about $33 million. FLMD will contribute about 20% of the annual debt service, while the district will be responsible for the remaining 80% of the debt service.
  • Water for dust suppression in construction zones west of I-25 as well as the work being done along Higby Road has proven to be substantial.
  • The Administrative and Utility building, which was not completed by Dec. 31, 2025 but was delayed until March.
  • The district is rebuilding Higby Road, which should be fully completed in 2026.
  • Additional tap fees generated from the Meritage Home development.

The board unanimously approved Resolution 2026-05, a resolution amending the 2026 budget that accounts for additional revenue generated from the issuance of the revenue bonds associated with the NMCI, along with the expenses associated with that project and with the expedited construction schedule for Higby Road.

Water operations update

McGrady said the regional spring run-off was the lowest on record and decreed water rights obtained after 1875 cannot be used. The state has given the district approval to operate both the Arkansas Valley Irrigation Company (AVIC) and Bale infrastructure, but unfortunately, the AVIC is already out of priority and is unlikely to come into priority for any meaningful amount of time in 2026. The district has 600 acre-feet of water rights available in the Fountain Mutual Irrigation Company and, through a complex number of water exchanges on paper, can obtain some of the district water rights, said McGrady.

Water Attorney Chris Cummins said the Arkansas River received only one-third of the usual snow, and as such, the runoff has more than likely peaked given the unseasonable temperature in March.

Water Treatment Superintendent Gary Potter said the following:

  • The Northern Delivery System (NDS) produced 57% of the district’s water in March.
  • During the first year the NDS was brought online, the static level of the Denver wells had gained 25% replenishment due to inactivity, but the Arapahoe wells had not gained.
  • The district is awaiting parts for the pump replacement of well A-7.
  • The Consumer Confidence Report can be viewed on the district website.
  • The district saw the lowest water loss in March at 1.44%.

The snowpack in the Arkansas River Basin is disappearing quickly, which is limiting the ability to divert water. However, with over a year’s supply of surface water in storage and the Denver Basin ground water wells, the district is well positioned to overcome this temporary operating limitation, said Potter.

Higby Road improvement update

McGrady said Kiewit is installing all curbs and gutters for the Higby Road improvement project, and the construction of the Maverick Apartment complex, consisting of 14 buildings, is underway.

Note: Message boards providing updates on the project and a link to the road closures and detours are available at https://triviewhigbyroad.com.

District mitigation efforts

Parks and Open Spaces Superintendent Matt Rayno said the district staff are planning to prevent further beetle kill within the district by removing damaged pines around Sanctuary Pointe Park in May. A chipping day is scheduled with Monument Fire District for Promontory Pointe and Sanctuary Pointe residents on Aug. 17. The rules will be provided to residents wishing to have brush chipped. Residents will be responsible for clearing brush and making it available to crews for chipping.

Venison Creek Park construction complete

Rayno announced the new Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) play area in Venison Creek Park had been completed, and a ribbon-cutting would be scheduled on June 5. See the district website for timings.

The board moved into an executive session at about 8 p.m.

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Meetings are usually held on the third Thursday of the month at the district office located at 1641 Baja Drive, West Baptist Road, with temporary access via Old Denver Road. The next regular board meeting is scheduled for May 21 at 5:30 p.m. For Zoom meeting joining instructions, meeting agendas, minutes, and updates, visit https://triviewmetro.com.

Natalie Barszcz can be contacted at nataliebarszcz@ocn.me.

https://triviewmetro.com/about-the-district/

Other Triview Metropolitan District articles

Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District, March 9 – Board deals with 100,000-gallon water loss

Highlights

  • The Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District approved supplemental water for the Mines Shopping Center (MSC) and discounted an $8,481 overage invoice tied to a equipment failure at a new tenant, with MSC also seeking to purchase additional supplemental water.
  • The board unanimously approved selling MSC the requested 0.5 acre-foot of supplemental water for $17,250 per year and covering $4,625 in lost option costs, offsetting MSC's liability by about $3,857.
  • WWSD agreed to purchase Monument Fire District's building at 1855 Woodmoor Drive for $1.26 million and approved a separate supplemental water agreement to supply the new fire station on Jackson Creek Parkway at 2.7 acre-feet per year for $104,138 annually.
  • The board vacated a flowage easement for the North Bay at Woodmoor development and extended Apollo's Peak Solar LLC's lease for a 60-day extension to draft new terms, ensuring any transfers remain within lease provisions.
  • Monument Junction Metropolitan District (MJMD) was allowed to defer payment on its supplemental water agreement until December 2026 due to delays in development and price differentials, with the district noting improved clarity on commercial progress.
  • Financials showed January water sales beating budget projections (5.16% vs. 2%), with tap fees also surpassing estimates (12.5% vs. 6%), while warmer winter conditions contributed to more line breaks.

By James Howald

The Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District (WWSD) board heard a request from Woodmoor Village LLC, also known as the Mines Shopping Center (MSC), to provide supplemental water and to annul a charge of $8,481 for exceeding its allowed water service. The board also considered an agreement with the Monument Fire District (MFD) to purchase its building on Woodmoor Drive, which is to be replaced by a new fire station on Jackson Creek Parkway, and a second agreement with MFD to provide supplemental water service to the new station.

The board vacated a flowage easement at the proposed North Bay at Woodmoor development and amended its lease with Apollo’s Peak Solar LLC. The board agreed to allow Monument Junction Metropolitan District (MJMD) to defer payment on its supplemental water service agreement. The board heard financial and operational reports, and the meeting ended with an executive session.

Supplemental water approved; charge for lost water discounted

Greg Nagel, owner of MSC, located just north of Lake Woodmoor Drive, asked to purchase an additional half-acre-foot of supplemental water for $17,250 per year, and asked the district to waive an invoice for $8,481 that resulted from the center exceeding its current supplemental water allotment. Supplemental water is charged at a much higher rate than the standard allotment of one-half acre-foot of water per acre of land. Director Tom Roddham recused himself from the discussion because his business is a tenant of the shopping center.

Nagel told the board that the excessive water use resulted from an equipment failure at the Goat Patch Brewery, a new tenant that replaced Pikes Peak Brewing. One hundred thousand gallons of water were lost when a float failed, he said. The resulting invoice was equal to 30% of the shopping center’s annual water bill, which Nagel argued was too high.

Board President Brian Bush asked District Manager Jessie Shaffer how this situation had been handled in the past. Shaffer said the district had reduced similar bills for overuse in the past and went on to provide some history of the district’s history with the shopping center. He said MSC had purchased an option for 4.8 acre-feet of supplemental water in 2017. MSC executed 1.24 acre-feet of its option the same year, and in 2019 added 0.4 acre-feet, leaving 3.16 acre-feet available.

Then, to reduce the cost of its option, MSC asked to relinquish portions of it three times and finally, in 2021, asked to cancel the remaining option altogether. In addition, Shaffer said, MSC elected to use its own method to calculate its future supplemental water need rather than using the methodology provided by the district. When customers make that choice, Shaffer explained, the district expects them to accept the consequences of their alternative methodology. The overage fee is 1.65 times the cost of the excess water used.

Shaffer said the board should consider recovering from MSC the revenue lost on the carrying charges of the option due to MSC’s cancellation, which he calculated to be $4,625. Had MSC retained its option for supplemental water, it would have avoided the surcharge that resulted in the invoice. When MSC cancelled its option, Shaffer pointed out, it assumed additional risk. Other customers pay their annual option fee to avoid the risk of exceeding their supplemental allotment.

Bush suggested selling MSC the one-half acre-foot of supplemental water it requested for $17,250 per year and recovering the lost option costs of $4,625, which would reduce MSC’s liability for the lost water by $3,856.65. The board voted unanimously to implement Bush’s suggestion.

WWSD to purchase fire station

Shaffer told the board that the district had offered to buy MFD’s building at 1855 Woodmoor Drive, adjacent to the WWSD headquarters building, for $1.26 million. Fire Chief Andy Kovacs took the offer to MFD’s Board of Directors, which authorized execution of the agreement. Shaffer said the WWSD board needed to accept the agreement as complete, and Roddham made a motion to do so. The board approved the motion unanimously.

The board also approved a supplemental water agreement for the new fire station on Jackson Creek Parkway, just north of the YMCA. The agreement calls for the district to provide an additional 2.7 acre-feet of water per year to the new station, at an annual cost of $104,138.25.

Flowage easement vacated

The board voted unanimously to partially vacate a flowage easement in the North Bay at Woodmoor, a six-single-family residence development planned for a site just north of Lake Woodmoor. A flowage easement is a legal claim on a property that allows another party to use a portion of the land for water management purposes, including flooding the property as needed. Bush said the easement was no longer needed due to determinations of water levels in the lake.

Solar lease extended

Shaffer asked the board to amend its lease allowing Apollo’s Peak Solar LLC to use a portion of the district’s Woodmoor Ranch as a location for a solar array. The amendment formalizes a 60-day extension of the lease, which is needed to allow new business terms to be drafted into the agreement. Tamara Seaver, WWSD’s attorney, said that because the lease was originally signed with Enerfin Renewables LLC and then transferred to Apollo’s Peak, she wanted written affirmation that the transfer, or any future transfer, is allowed by the terms of the lease. She said she wanted to ensure that Apollo’s Peak is bound by the original terms of the lease.

The board voted unanimously to accept the amendment to the lease.

MJMD gets more time to pay

Shaffer told the board that the terms of the district’s supplemental water agreement with MJMD gave it one year to put the supplemental water to beneficial use. MJMD did not meet this time limit, and the price of its supplemental water increased during the interim, creating a large differential in price. Shaffer asked the board to allow MJMD to defer payment for its supplemental water until December 2026, by which time it would know more about the commercial developments on its property. The board voted to defer the payment.

Financial and operational reports

Director Roy Martinez gave the board a financial report on behalf of board Treasurer Dana Franzen, who was excused from the meeting. Martinez said January was a good month—water sales were budgeted at 2% but came in ahead of expectations at 5.16%. Tap fees, which were budgeted at 6%, came in at 12.5%.

In his water report, Operations Superintendent Dan LaFontaine said that the warmer-than-usual winter temperatures were contributing to line breaks by increasing ground movement, which typically is low during the winter months.

Executive session

The meeting ended with an executive session regarding the purchase or sale of real property and to receive legal advice on agreements with El Paso County and Lake Woodmoor Holdings LLC. No action was taken following the executive session.

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The next meeting is on April 13 at 1 p.m. Meetings are usually held on the second Monday of each month at 1 p.m. at the district office at 1845 Woodmoor Drive. Please see www.woodmoorwater.com or call 719-488-2525 to verify meeting times and locations.

James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me.

Other Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District articles

Monument Sanitation District, March 18 – Delinquent account notices sent

Highlights

  • The Monument Sanitation District reported a higher-than-usual number of delinquent account notices in March, with 115 notices issued.
  • Delinquencies largely stemmed from customers not updating automatic payments after the monthly charge increased from $40 to $45 over a year ago, leading to late fees for those accounts.
  • Only one customer is contesting the late fees, claiming improper notification of the increase.
  • The district addressed a maintenance item at its headquarters by replacing the air intake for the Black Forest Foods Café and Deli furnace with a sheet-metal duct to improve cleaning and grease management.
  • Coordination continues on Beacon Lite Road work, with ongoing meetings between utility providers and El Paso County.

By Jackie Burhans and James Howald

In his Manager’s Report, Monument Sanitation District Manager Mark Parker told the board that a higher-than-usual number of delinquent account notices were sent in March. He also gave updates on maintenance work done on the district’s headquarters building and on the work being done by the El Paso County Department of Transportation on Beacon Lite Road.

Customers slow to update automatic payments

Parker told the board that the district sent 115 delinquent account notices in March. Accounts are delinquent when no payment has been made in three months or when the balance due exceeds the set amount. Parker said many of the delinquent accounts resulted from customers not updating their automatic payments when the district increased its monthly charge from $40 to $45 more than a year ago. Customers who did not increase their automatic payments owe the district a $5 monthly late fee in addition to the $5 monthly increase. Only one customer is contesting the late fees, claiming that they were not properly notified, Parker said,

Café air intake replaced

Parker said the air intake for the furnace at the Black Forest Foods Café and Deli, a tenant in the MSD headquarters, was replaced to address accumulated grease. The intake was a flexible tube, and the HVAC company recommended replacing it with a sheet-metal duct that would be possible to clean.

Beacon Lite Road work

Parker told the board he was continuing to attend meetings between utility providers and El Paso County to coordinate the work being done on Beacon Lite Road. He added that there was no new information regarding the planned installation of a sewer line to service the site of the proposed Buc-ee’s travel center.

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Monument Sanitation District meetings are held at 9 a.m. on the third Wednesday of the month in the district conference room at 130 Second St., Monument. The next regular meeting is scheduled for April 15. See MonumentSanitationDistrict.org. For a district service map, see www.MonumentSanitationDistrict.org/district-map. For Information: 719-481-4886.

Jackie Burhans can be reached at jackieburhans@ocn.me. James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me.

Other Monument Sanitation District articles

Donala Water and Sanitation District, March 19 – District weighs financial trends and capital project impacts

Highlights

  • DWSD is considering a debt-increasing project package, including Northern Monument Creek Interceptor (NMCI) participation, which would require voter approval and could raise annual costs, with more details to be refined by the next board meeting.
  • Financial trends show revenues and expenses are tracking to budget for water and wastewater, with a clear downward trend in water sales as customers reduce usage and adopt xeriscaping.
  • Capital projects: NMCI participation would cost about $90 million total with DWSD's share around $11 million, plus National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) permitting responsibilities; rate changes and other project costs will be more clearly outlined after further analysis.
  • Fourteen resumes were received for the general manager position, four finalists identified, and interviews scheduled for March 27 with final decisions to be made by April 7.
  • April bills will reflect a 5% rate increase for water and wastewater; wastewater increases average about $2 per bill.
  • An MOU for Willow Creek Ranch fire mitigation was signed, outlining a non-binding framework and potential DWSD cost up to $140,000, with funding considerations and possible external grants to cover remaining costs.

By James Howald and Jackie Burhans

In March, the Donala Water and Sanitation District (DWSD) board reviewed financial trends and potential capital projects and how they might impact debt and rates. It also heard updates on hiring a new general manager, discussed upcoming rate changes, reviewed the election calendar to consider putting increased debt on the ballot, and signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with a fire mitigation company.

Interim General Manager Christina Hawker introduced new budget charts to provide a quick financial snapshot. The first chart showed revenues and expenses are progressing relative to the annual budget for both water and wastewater. All financial activity is within expectations for the year, she said.

The second chart showed a seven-year comparison of water usage to help monitor consumption throughout the year, she said. Board Director Kenneth Judd noted that there was clear downward trend in water sales. Hawker said the average is 750 acre-fee per year and that a lot of customers were xeriscaping and not watering as much in the summer.

Water consultant Brett Gracely of Plummer said that as he drives through Donala’s service area, he sees residents replacing portions of their lawn that are hard to keep green with mulch and rock; he also said that an earlier survey of appliance stores indicated strong demand for front-load washers, and only low-flush toilets are no longer available to purchase. With over 2,700 customers, that is what is driving water usage down, he said.

Judd said it would be prudent to develop a strategy to deal with declining revenue. President Wayne Vanderschuere suggested this become an agenda item for the strategic planning workshop on March 26.

Capital projects

Vanderschuere said DWSD had received a term sheet outlining the cost of Northern Monument Creek Interceptor (NMCI) participation. The total cost would be $90 million, to be shared among all participants, and DWSD would require voter approval to increase borrowing capacity to cover its share of construction and ongoing operating costs, which would be about $11 million. Hawker reported that Colorado Springs Utilities said DWSD can formally request to join NMCI at any time. Once a request is made, current participants will meet within 30 days to consider negotiations, and DWSD would be responsible for the additional permitting required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

Hawker said she had been working with rate consultants to project rate changes due to four major infrastructure projects, including the Loop indirect potable water reuse, NMCI, and sole operations of the Upper Monument Creek Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility (UMCRWWTF). Given the complexity, Hawker said she would need more time to provide a more accurate picture of the financial implications of each of the projects. She expects to have additional information by the next board meeting.

Note: DWSD operates the UMCRWWTF, which currently includes Triview Metropolitan District (TMD) and Forest Lakes Metropolitan District (FLMD) as additional users who share the operational costs proportionally to their use. TMD and FLMD have expressed interest in NMCI, which would leave DWSD bearing the full price of running UMCRWWTF far below its capacity. Consultant Roger Sams from GMS estimated that DWSD’s costs would rise from $800,000 to around $2.5 million in the first year, if TMD and FLMD pull out.

Vanderschuere said the board would need to try to connect all of these disparate but intersecting options at the strategic workshop.

Progress on hiring general manager

Judd said that 14 resumes had been submitted for the general manager position, and he and Deardorff had analyzed them separately, both coming up with the same four names as finalists. Their criteria included relevant experience, total years of work experience, local network connections and management experience. Judd recommended that all four applicants be interviewed on the same day, yielding one or two candidates who would be submitted for background checks. Vanderschuere scheduled the interviews for a special board meeting on March 27, with a final decision to be made at a special board meeting on April 7.

April water bills to include new rates

Vanderschuere noted that the increased rates would appear on the April bills. Billing Administrator Ashley Uhrin noted there is a 5% increase across the board for the base and tiered usage rates for water and wastewater. Board member Kevin Deardorff noted the wastewater increase averages around $2. Hawker said there was a chart on the web as a quick reference (see https://tinyurl.com/donala-2026rates).

Election calendar

Hawker highlighted key dates and actions needed to put a debt service increase out to vote this November. DWSD would need to notify the county clerk and recorder that formal action has been taken to participate by July 24. DWSD would need to adopt a resolution by August and ballot content would need to be certified by September.

Hawker noted that the timeline is very short and there might not be enough time to reach out to the community to communicate important needs. She recommended considering the May 2027 special district election instead to give more time for engagement and education. She did not yet have the full election calendar beyond needing to certify the ballot by the first Friday in March 2027.

Vanderschuere said the board would talk about this at the strategy workshop.

MOU signed for Willow Creek Ranch fire mitigation

Hawker reported that the Arkansas River Watershed Collaborative, which presented a proposal for fire mitigation at DWSD’s Willow Creek Ranch property with a 50% match, asked for an MOU to provide a framework for cooperation and indicate intent. The MOU is not binding until a final contract is executed, she said. She estimated the cost, at the high end, would be $2,000 per acre for the portion to be mitigated, totaling $280,000 of which Donala would pay $140,000.

Hawker noted that money set aside for cleaning well 9A in anticipation of the Aquifer Storage and Recovery pilot study is eligible for a cash match grant from the Colorado Wildlife Conservation Project, which would free up funds for Willow Creek mitigation. Vanderschuere directed Hawker to look for other sources of funds to cover Donala’s portion. The board unanimously voted to sign the MOU. The work would start later in the summer or fall, Vanderschuere said.

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The next regular board meeting is on Tuesday, April 16 at 1:30 p.m. Generally, board meetings are held the third Thursday of the month at 1:30 p.m. and include online access; call (719) 488-3603 or access www.donalawater.org to receive up-to-date meeting information. The district office is located at 15850 Holbein Drive, Colorado Springs.

James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me. Jackie Burhans can be reached at jackieburhans@ocn.me.

Other Donala Water and Sanitation District articles

Triview Metropolitan District, March 19 – Northern Monument Creek Interceptor set to “ramp up”

Highlights

  • The Northern Monument Creek Interceptor project move from design to construction is approved, with about $33 million in bonds for the northern entities portion to be presented at the May meeting and construction expected to begin in late May, aiming for completion in late 2027.
  • Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU) will ramp up construction, with the first six months consuming 40% of total costs and starting from the south end of the pipeline in Colorado Springs.
  • Water operations report shows two years of storage to meet district demands despite low snowpack; the district treats and delivers via CSU from Twin Lakes and Otero Pump Station, with a total February production of about 14.947 million gallons and non-revenue water at roughly 4.15%.
  • Higby Road improvements may include an acceleration lane at Jackson Creek Parkway (JCP) north from Higby Road, requiring a cost recovery agreement and design changes coordinated by Felsburg Holt & Ullevig and Kimley-Horn, with on-site Kiewit work already in place and completion targeted for November 2026.
  • The Higby project northern portion will be prioritized for this fiscal year, with the southern portion to be tackled during the Fire Station 3 rebuild in 2027; a full widening across JCP in one year isn't funded yet.
  • Venison Creek Park's new ADA-compliant play area is installed and scheduled for additional surfacing, seating and landscaping, with the park remaining closed for two to three weeks and a ribbon-cutting event requested after completion.

By Natalie Barszcz

At the Triview Metropolitan District (TMD) regular meeting on March 19, the board received updates on the Northern Monument Creek Interceptor (NMCI) project timelines, the Higby Road improvement project, and on water storage levels.

The board held an executive session regarding the potential participation in the NMCI project and the acquisition of property for open space and parks.

NMCI project update

The NMCI project is a proposed 10.1-mile pipeline that would transport untreated wastewater from TMD and Forest Lakes Metropolitan District (FLMD) to the Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU) J.D. Phillips Water Resource Recovery Facility (near I-25 and Garden of the Gods Road) for processing.

District Manager Jim McGrady said about $33 million in bonds for the NMCI construction cost sharing with FLMD for the northern entities portion of the project would be presented to the board for approval at the May meeting. The construction phase of the NMCI project was expected to be slow, but CSU will “ramp up” aggressively with construction beginning in late May. The first six months of construction will spend 40% of the total cost, beginning on the south end of the pipeline in Colorado Springs. The pipeline is expected to be completed in late 2027, said McGrady.

The board approved an addendum moving the project from the design phase to the construction phase at the February meeting. The agreement provides a 99-year contract per term for the treatment of the district’s wastewater and allows ownership in the pipeline to provide an asset for financing the project via bonds from the Enterprise Fund. See https://wp.ocn.me/v26n3tmd.

Water operations update

McGrady said that despite the regional low snowpack and the anticipation of lower-than-average spring run-off, the district has two years of water in storage to meet district demands. The district uses a complex number of water exchanges to obtain its water rights, but ultimately receives its water via CSU through two different points of entry: Twin Lakes and the Otero Pump Station at Rampart Range Reservoir. The water is treated and conveyed to the CSU tank off Highway 83 before entering the district-owned Northern Delivery System (NDS).

Water Treatment Superintendent Gary Potter said the D7 well had received a new pump and motor, and the A7 well work was waiting to be scheduled. The NDS was recently placed offline due to a CSU outage that allowed the utilization of district wells.

The February report stated the NDS produced 46% of the district’s water, with the remainder sourced from the district’s wells for a total of about 14.947 million gallons. The district sold about 14.005 million gallons to customers, leaving 941,841 gallons or about 4.15% of non-revenue (unbilled) water. The district had 18.53% unbilled water in February 2025.

Higby Road improvement update

McGrady said that during the construction of the Higby Road improvement project, it would be cost-effective to have Kiewit include an acceleration lane to join Jackson Creek Parkway (JCP) north from Higby Road west. He said utilities run under the intersection of JCP and Higby Road, and the town is using Felsburg Holt & Ullevig (FHU) civil engineering company for the design of JCP north. FHU would need to consult with Kimley-Horn to find a solution to include the acceleration lane in the design before mid-April. A cost recovery agreement would also need to be finalized to allow TMD to initially fund the acceleration lane. The additional lane would be a cost reduction for the Town of Monument (TOM) with Kiewit already on site, said McGrady.

Town Councilor Kenneth Kimple said the TOM did not have the funding to widen all of JCP in one fiscal year. The northern portion is scheduled to be completed first, and the southern portion would be completed in conjunction with the rebuild of Fire Station 3 in 2027.

The board consented to pursuing a cost recovery agreement for an acceleration lane to be approved at a later meeting.

Sheffield said the Higby Road improvement project phase 1 work was scheduled to begin on March 23, with the first road closures between Cloverleaf and Harness Roads. Kiewit expects to complete the project in November 2026.

Note: Message boards providing updates on the project and a link to the road closures and detours are available at https://triviewhigbyroad.com.

Mitigation and fire code changes

Kimple said Monument Fire District Division Chief of Community Risk Reduction Jonathan Bradley had presented the proposed changes to the International Fire Code and Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code to the Town Council, and he noted a mitigation change relating to split-rail fences that attach to homes.

McGrady said the district was considering replacing the common area wood split-rail fences with concrete fencing that is virtually the same price as wood fence replacement (an example can be viewed on Gleneagle Drive on the east side of the Little Train Park). The project is massive and requires a multi-year approach beginning with the 2027 budget.

President Jason Gross said he had given an overview presentation of the district at the March NEPCO meeting, but the district had no HOA representation. The Sanctuary Pointe subdivision is well-mitigated; unfortunately, it is “smack-up” against unmitigated homes. See NEPCO article on page < 15 >.

District office relocation

Assistant Manager Steve Sheffield said, “Kudos” to the staff for making the move to the district office building almost complete. The move was stressful, but everyone “chipped in.”

McGrady said the district is operating from the new district-owned building, saving the district about $5,000 per month on rent. The old facility lease was ending, necessitating a move, but all operations are now consolidated, and the staff can work cohesively.

District Administrator Sara Lamb said “Kudos” to McGrady for completing a commercial building in nine months.

The district has permanently moved to the district-owned new utility operations and administration office at 1641 Baja Drive, Monument, with temporary access via Old Denver Road.

Venison Creek Park construction

Parks and Open Spaces Superintendent Matt Rayno announced the new Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) play area in Venison Creek Park had been installed, and the ASTM/ADA-compliant porous rubber shock-absorbing base layer with a wear-resistant top layer play surface would be installed the weekend of March 21-22. The play surface is low maintenance and designed for 15-20 years of usage. A seating wall will also be added with additional shrubs and landscaping. The park will remain closed for the next two to three weeks until the construction is complete.

Gross requested a “ribbon-cutting” event at the park upon completion.

Executive session

The board moved into executive session at about 8:20 p.m. to receive legal advice pursuant to section 24-6-402(4)(e) Colorado Revised Statutes (CRS), for the purposes of determining positions relative to matters that may be subject to negotiations, developing strategies for negotiations, and instructing negotiators as it relates to the potential participation in the NMCI and the acquisition of property for open space and parks.

Sheffield confirmed to this reporter that no decisions were made when the board returned to the regular session.

The meeting adjourned at 9:36 p.m.

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Meetings are usually held on the third Thursday of the month at the district office located at 1641 Baja Drive, West Baptist Road, with temporary access via Old Denver Road. The next regular board meeting is scheduled for April 23 at 5:30 p.m. For Zoom meeting joining instructions, meeting agendas, minutes, and updates, visit https://triviewmetro.com.

Natalie Barszcz can be reached at nataliebarszcz@ocn.me.

Other Triview Metropolitan District articles

Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District, Feb. 17 – Board asks for help with water piracy

Highlights

  • The February WWSD board heard a report on water theft by subcontractors at fire hydrants, with a call for residents to report illicit connections and reminders that permits, meters, and backflow prevention devices are required for commercial use.
  • The district reported up to about half a million gallons of water could have been lost to theft, and some customers have aided investigations using doorbell camera footage; three fiber optic projects may involve unpermitted subcontractors.
  • 2025 finances showed a net income of about $570,000 for the year, with 2025 revenue of $12.4 million and expenditures of $14.2 million, and notes that 2024 audited net income was about $5 million; some figures may be adjusted after audit.
  • An easement agreement with the YMCA will allow Monument Fire District's Station 3 to use an existing YMCA sewer line, with WWSD purchasing line rights for $10 and YMCA maintenance for one year.
  • The Joint Use Committee voted to participate in a one-year opioid study of wastewater, with no cost to WWSD and data shared only in aggregate to state agencies.
  • Other operational items included Lake Woodmoor levels up 3.6 feet since June 1, 2025, slow meter replacements due to backorders, and planned lift-station elimination and county traffic changes affecting WWSD utilities, with an executive session held and no action taken.

By James Howald

At its February meeting, the Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District (WWSD) board heard a report from Operations Superintendent Dan LaFontaine regarding the theft of water by subcontractors. LaFontaine asked the community to help spot water being taken from fire hydrants without required permits.

Board Treasurer Dana Franzen provided a financial report closing out the 2025 fiscal year. District Manager Jessie Shaffer explained an easement agreement between WWSD and the YMCA on Jackson Creek Parkway that will allow Monument Fire District’s proposed Station 3 to use an existing sewer line on the YMCA’s property. The board heard a report on the Joint Use Committee (JUC) from Franzen and operational reports from district staff. The meeting ended with an executive session.

Help prevent water piracy

LaFontaine told the board that district staff have recently caught multiple companies stealing water by connecting to fire hydrants without having a permit to do so. In addition to a permit, LaFontaine said a water meter and a backflow prevention device are required whenever a connection is made to a fire hydrant for commercial purposes. Lack of a backflow device can lead to contamination of the water that district customers drink.

LaFontaine asked the public to report anyone other than firefighters connecting to a fire hydrant by calling the WWSD office at 719 488 2525. He noted some customers have helped the district investigate water piracy by allowing it to review footage from their doorbell cameras, and invoices have been sent to companies that pirated water. Three companies are installing fiber optic cables in the WWSD service area, which requires directional drilling, and some of their subcontractors may not be following proper procedures or may be unaware of the permits required, LaFontaine said. He estimated up to half a million gallons of water could have been lost to theft.

2025 finances presented

Franzen summarized the district’s 2025 financial year, which ended on Dec. 31. The net income for December was $20,000, giving the district a net income for the year of about $570,000. The audited net income for 2024, including tap fees, was about $5 million. Franzen said the 2025 numbers might be adjusted during audit.

The annual revenue for 2025 was $12.4 million, compared to a working budget of $13.1 million, Franzen said, a shortage of $700,000 resulting, mostly from delayed tap fees. He noted the district billed customers for 24 million fewer gallons of water than it did in 2024.

Annual expenditures for 2025 were $14.2 million against a working budget of $17.2 million. $4 million of costs for work on Highway 105 were delayed from 2025 until 2026, Franzen said, while $1.4 million for the Loop water reuse project was moved from 2025 to 2026. He said expenditures were well managed, as most line items show spending less than the working budget.

Franzen said the district planned to spend about $4.1 million from reserves in 2025 but spent only $1.8 million, leaving strong reserves of $24.1 million. The 2026 budget anticipates spending about $5.4 million from reserves, according to Franzen.

Easement agreement facilitates fire station move

Shaffer told the board that Monument Fire District’s timeline to move Station 3 from its current location on Woodmoor Drive to a site just north of the YMCA on the west side of Jackson Creek Parkway had created a challenge regarding the sewer service for the new station. He said the problem had been solved by an agreement that would allow the new fire station to use an existing sewer line that belongs to the YMCA.

WWSD would purchase 400 feet of sewer line and two manholes from the YMCA, along with an easement, for the cost of $10, Shaffer said, enabling the new fire station to use the line. Under the agreement, the YMCA would be responsible for one year of maintenance on the line and asked WWSD to waive a $6,000 bond. The board voted unanimously to authorize Shaffer to sign the agreement with the YMCA.

JUC signs up for opioid study

Franzen, who is WWSD’s representative on the JUC, told the board that the JUC had agreed to participate in a study by C.E.C Innovations that will measure the amount of opioids present in the wastewater flowing into the Tri-Lakes Wastewater Treatment Facility, which the JUC operates on behalf of the Towns of Monument and Palmer Lake and WWSD. The study will be done over one year, at no expense to WWSD. The information collected will only be communicated to the Environmental Protection Agency or the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment in aggregate to protect privacy, Franzen said. Colorado Springs, Fountain, and two municipalities in Teller County are also taking part in the study.

Operational reports

LaFontaine said the water level in Lake Woodmoor was 3.6 feet higher than it was on June 1, 2025. He said that the district was receiving unexpectedly large flows from Monument Creek despite the lack of snow. He noted that the meter replacement effort was going more slowly than planned because some electronic components were backordered. Only new homes are getting the new meters, LaFontaine said, adding all replacements were due to be complete by the end of 2026.

In her Engineering Report, District Engineer Cydney Saelens said the elimination of a lift station on Lost Arrowhead Drive was expected to begin in late March, and the district would reach out to nearby homeowners to let them know what to expect. She reported that El Paso County is planning to put a traffic roundabout at the intersection of Deer Creek Road and Woodmoor Drive, and WWSD was assessing the utilities that could be affected by the county’s plan.

Executive session

The meeting ended with an executive session for the board to receive legal counsel regarding potential agreements with El Paso County, Monument Fire District, Rex Colorado Corp., Tallgrass, Atlantica Sustainable Infrastructure, Monument Junction Metropolitan District. No. 1, Quantum Group and La Plata Communities. No action was taken following the executive session.

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The next meeting is on March 9 at 1 p.m. Meetings are usually held on the second Monday of each month at 1 p.m. at the district office at 1845 Woodmoor Drive. Please see www.woodmoorwater.com or call 719-488-2525 to verify meeting times and locations.

James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me.

Other Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District articles

Monument Sanitation District, Feb. 18 – Work on Beacon Lite Road proceeds

Highlights

  • The update centers on Beacon Lite Road redevelopment being coordinated with utilities, including storm sewers, water lines, power relocation, and internet fiber as part of a project to straighten, level, pave, and add curbs and gutters, which began in 2004.
  • District Manager Mark Parker says the county is moving along on the project and attending meetings with utility providers to plan the required infrastructure work.
  • Parker has received no progress reports from Buc-ee's on the sewer line needed for its proposed travel center, but expects a preconstruction meeting with MSD once a contractor is secured.
  • MSD will not pay for the sewer installation for the Buc-ee's property at County Line Road and I-25, and installing after paving would be three to four times more expensive than installing before Beacon Lite Road is repaved.GMS Inc., the district's consultants, reported in January that they reviewed sanitary sewer design drawings and provided comments to Kimley-Horn, Buc-ee's design contractor.

By Jackie Burhans and James Howald

In his February report, District Manager Mark Parker gave the board an update on the work being done by the El Paso County Department of Transportation on Beacon Lite Road.

Utilities coordinate efforts on Beacon Lite Road

Parker said he was attending meetings between utility providers to plan storm sewers, water lines, the relocation of power lines, and internet fiber along Beacon Lite Road, all parts of the county’s project to straighten, level, pave, and add curbs and gutters to the road. The county is “moving along on that project,” which began in 2004, Parker said.

Parker said he had received no progress reports or other information from Buc-ee’s on the sewer line that would be required by its proposed travel center. He said he expected Buc-ee’s to meet with MSD for a preconstruction meeting once it has a contractor to install the sewer infrastructure for the proposed travel center, which is now before the El Paso Board of County Commissioners.

Parker reiterated that MSD will not pay for the installation of sewer lines for the property at the intersection of County Line Road and I-25. He estimated that installing the sewer line after the county’s project is complete would cost three to four times what it would cost to install the line before Beacon Lite Road is repaved.

In its monthly report to MSD for January, GMS Inc., the district’s consulting engineers, noted it had reviewed sanitary sewer design drawings and had provided comments to Kimley-Horn, the engineering company hired by Buc-ee’s to design its sewer infrastructure.

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Monument Sanitation District meetings are held at 9 a.m. on the third Wednesday of the month in the district conference room at 130 Second St., Monument. The next regular meeting is scheduled for March 18. See MonumentSanitationDistrict.org. For a district service map, see www.MonumentSanitationDistrict.org/district-map. For information: 719-481-4886.

Jackie Burhans can be reached at jackieburhans@ocn.me. James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me.

Other Monument Sanitation District articles

Triview Metropolitan District, Feb. 19 – Northern Monument Creek Interceptor approved

Highlights

  • The NMCI project was approved to move from design to construction, with a shared estimated cost of about $90.3 million and an initial district share of $32.44 million (TMD $25.66m, FLMD $6.78m), plus a 99-year wastewater services contract and potential pipeline ownership for financing.
  • Groundbreaking is planned for May/June, with completion targeted for late 2027; CSU and FLMD boards have approved their participation, and Colorado Springs City Council has the project on its early March consent agenda.
  • A corrective review found inflow measurements at UMCRWWTF had been significantly understated due to meter discrepancies; new laser meters aligned influent and effluent readings, enabling accurate flow credits and proper accounting ahead of NMCI operations.
  • A special Feb. 11 meeting authorized termination of a mining contract for the Central Reservoir in the Stonewall Springs Reservoir Complex; no action was recorded at the subsequent executive session.
  • Additional district updates: Higby Road improvement detours will start March 23 with project completion expected November 2026; a large Sanctuary Pointe detention pond is being reconstructed with some design costs covered by the developer; Venison Creek Park will receive a new play area in early March, with temporary closures during construction.
  • The district is relocating its offices to 1641 Baja Drive, with most meetings moving there from March 19; next regular board meeting is March 19 at 5:30 p.m., with Zoom instructions available on the district website.

Correction

The TMD article in the February edition of OCN mistakenly identified Director Erik Demkowicz as Mark Demkowicz. OCN regrets the error.

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Editor’s note: OCN needs a volunteer to cover Trivew Metropolitan District meetings. We will train you! Contact John Heiser at 719-488-3455.

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By Natalie Barszcz

At the Triview Metropolitan District (TMD) regular meeting on Feb. 19, the board approved an addendum to an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU) and the Forest Lakes Metropolitan District (FLMD) for construction cost sharing for the Northern Monument Creek Interceptor (NMCI) project. The board heard about the efforts made to rectify the wastewater meter calculations at the Upper Monument Creek Wastewater Regional Treatment Facility (UMCWWRTF).

The board held a special meeting on Feb. 11 to authorize the termination of a mining contract for the Central Reservoir in the Stonewall Springs Reservoir Complex.

The board held an executive session to determine positions on matters that may be subject to negotiations, develop strategies for negotiations, and instruct negotiators regarding potential participation in the NMCI project.

NMCI project approved

The NMCI project is a proposed 10.1-mile pipeline that would transport untreated wastewater from TMD and FLMD to the CSU J.D. Phillips Water Resource Recovery Facility (near I-25 and Garden of the Gods Road) for processing.

District Manager Jim McGrady requested the board consider and approve Resolution 2026-04, an addendum to an IGA with CSU and FLMD for construction cost sharing for the NMCI project, and to approve the revised wastewater service agreement with CSU for the provision of long-term wastewater services to the district. The addendum moves the project from the design phase to the construction phase. The agreement provides a 99-year contract per term for the treatment of the district’s wastewater and allows ownership in the pipeline to provide an asset for financing the project via bonds from the Enterprise Fund, said McGrady.

McGrady said the guaranteed maximum price to all participants of the proposed NMCI project is finalized to within $500,000 of the anticipated shared cost of about $90.3 million. The shared cost for both districts is $32.44 million (split $25.66 million for TMD and $6.78 million for FLMD). The project has been in the planning phase for eight years, with participation originally offered to all wastewater and sanitation districts in northern El Paso County, said McGrady.

Before considering participation in the project, the district conducted a third-party study to determine the future costs of mandatory upgrades to the UMCRWWTF (shared with Donala Water and Sanitation District (DWSD) and FLMD).

The board unanimously approved the addendum to the IGA, moving the NMCI project forward.

McGrady confirmed to this reporter after the meeting that the project was approved by the CSU board and the FLMD board. The Colorado Springs City Council has the project listed on its early March consent agenda. As the only two districts from northern El Paso County participating in the NMCI project, TMD and FLMD are responsible for the cost of the first 1,000 feet of pipeline to the northern boundary of the Air Force Academy property. Groundbreaking on the project is expected in May/June, with completion of the pipeline late 2027, said McGrady.

Wastewater influent volume realized

Water Treatment Superintendent Gary Potter said that for a number of years, the reported influent (gallons of wastewater) entering the UMCRWWTF has always been significantly less than the amount leaving the wastewater treatment facility. For about a year, the district has been trying to figure out the correct volumes, checking the mag meter and the flume leaving the plant, and those effluent numbers were matching closely. DWSD installed a laser meter upstream of its flume to report to the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system, and those numbers also matched well.

The only other meter input that could be causing the discrepancy combines the influents from TMD and FLMD, and those meters should match the effluent flow; they have been off by a massive amount, recording much less influent. The flow numbers need to be accurate to avoid anyone being shorted flow credits, an important factor when the NMCI becomes operational. New laser meters similar to DWSD’s meter were installed before the district’s influent joins the FLMD influent, revealing the district’s influent flow as almost double the previous numbers. The district is finally collecting accurate data from the meters, and the accounting problems can now be resolved, said Potter.

The SCADA system accurately records the wastewater flow leaving the treatment facility to ensure the district is credited the correct amount of reusable return flows.

Water operations update

Potter’s January report stated the Northern Delivery System (NDS) produced 48% of the district’s water, with the remainder sourced from the district’s wells for a total of about 15.774 million gallons. The district sold about 14.990 million gallons to customers, leaving 135,200 gallons or about 4.15% of non-revenue (unbilled) water. The district had 15.72% unbilled water in January 2025.

Higby Road improvement update

Assistant Manager Steve Sheffield said he, McGrady, and Public Works Inspector/Project Manager Tom Martinez had met with Monument Fire District staff to discuss the upcoming road closures and detours that will be necessary to carry out the Higby Road improvements. The rerouting of traffic is expected to begin on March 23, and Kiewit expects to complete the project in November 2026.

Message boards providing updates on the project and a link to the road closures and detours will be available at https://triviewmetro.com.

Detention pond reconstruction

Sheffield said the district is receiving bids to reconstruct the large detention pond in Sanctuary Pointe located off Sanctuary Rim Drive. The pond receives heavy water flow during large storms and has significant silt issues and erosion occurring.

McGrady said the developer is helping with the design cost of the reconstruction project, but the infrastructure is no longer under warranty.

Venison Creek Park construction

Parks and Open Spaces Superintendent Matt Rayno announced the installation of a new play area in Venison Creek Park would begin the first week of March. The park will be closed in March and April during construction. The park is the only play area within the district budgeted for new equipment in 2026.

District office relocation

The district staff anticipates the permanent move to the district’s new utility operations and administration office location at 1641 Baja Drive, Monument, with temporary access via Old Denver Road on March 16. Before stopping by/dropping off utility bill payments, call 719-488-6868 or mail to PO Box 849, Monument, CO 80132. All future meetings will be held at the new location beginning March 19.

Executive session

The board moved into executive session at 8:42 p.m., to receive legal advice pursuant to section 24-6-402(4)(e) Colorado Revised Statutes (CRS), for the purposes of determining positions relative to matters that may be subject to negotiations, developing strategies for negotiations, and instructing negotiators as it relates to the potential participation in the NMCI.

Sheffield confirmed to this reporter upon returning to the regular session that no action was taken.

Mining contract termination

At the special meeting held on Feb. 11, the board unanimously approved Resolution 2026-03, terminating a mining contract for the Central Reservoir in the Stonewall Springs Reservoir Complex following a question-and-answer session between the board and the district’s water attorney, Chris Cummins, and McGrady.

Note: This reporter was unavailable to attend the special meeting.

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Meetings are usually held on the third Thursday of the month at the district office located at 1641 Baja Drive, W. Baptist Rd., with temporary access via Old Denver Road. The next regular board meeting is scheduled for March 19 at 5:30 p.m. For Zoom meeting joining instructions, meeting agendas, minutes, and updates, visit https://triviewmetro.com.

Natalie Barszcz can be reached at nataliebarszcz@ocn.me.

Other Triview Metropolitan District articles

Donala Water and Sanitation District, Feb. 19 – Board considers fire mitigation at Willow Creek Ranch

Highlights

  • The DWSD board heard a fire mitigation proposal for Willow Creek Ranch from the Arkansas River Watershed Collaborative, including a plan to add 140 acres to an ongoing project and share the costs, with a target completion around 2026.
  • ARWC officials cited mountain pine beetles, dwarf mistletoe, drought, and tight tree spacing as driving factors increasing fire risk, recommending patch cuts to thin stands and break up fuel continuity.
  • The board approved a lease to allow 12 acre-feet of UMCRWWTF effluent to be used for evaporative depletion replacement, at $150 per acre-foot, with Robison covering legal and conveyance costs.
  • DWSD confirmed El Paso County will cover about $475,000 of Well 7 redrilling costs using ARPA funds earmarked for radium removal, and the board accepted the related procurement memo.
  • Financials for January 2026 were reported as on track, with the Holbein Water Treatment Plant back online after cleaning and the R. Hull Plant slated for cleaning soon; a water line leak occurred during fiber optic work.
  • The meeting concluded with an executive session to discuss legal matters related to the UMCRWWTF agreement and a personnel issue, with no actions taken.

By James Howald and Jackie Burhans

The Donala Water and Sanitation District (DWSD) board met in February to hear a presentation about fire mitigation at its Willow Creek Ranch property from the Arkansas River Watershed Collaborative (ARWC). It considered a request to lease effluent from the Upper Monument Creek Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility (UMCRWWTF), and Acting General Manager Christina Hawker gave an update on her effort to recover some of the cost of the Well 7 redrilling from El Paso County. The board also heard financial and operational reports. The meeting ended with an executive session.

Mountain pine beetle, dwarf mistletoe threaten ranch

In 2008, DWSD purchased the Willow Creek Ranch, a 711-acre property near Leadville, for its renewable water rights. DWSD’s Willow Creek Ranch water is treated and delivered to district customers by Colorado Springs Utilities. DWSD’s goal is to preserve the ranch in pristine condition and reduce the risk of fire to preserve its water resource.

At its February meeting, Jonathan Paklaian, executive director of ARWC, and Mike Rung, a forester with ARWC, presented their proposals on mitigating the risk of fire on the ranch.

Paklaian said the ARWC is a nonprofit organization with access to funding through its partnerships with other organizations, and it works with many water utilities on fire mitigation. ARWC has a large project underway in Lake County, and Paklaian proposed that 140 acres of Willow Creek Ranch be added to the project. ARWC offered to split the cost of mitigating a portion of the ranch with DWSD.

Rung said he found mountain pine beetles during his inspection of the ranch. The beetles bore into pine trees, lay eggs, and then emerge and girdle the vascular system of the tree, killing it. Ponderosa, lodgepole, and limber pines are vulnerable. Tightly spaced trees are an ideal habitat for beetles, and dead trees increase fire risk, Rung said. Drought is also a factor, as it reduces the tree’s ability to make protective sap.

Dwarf mistletoe is present in every stand of trees on the ranch, Rung said. A parasitic plant, dwarf mistletoe propagates by shooting sticky seeds up to 50 feet into the branches of nearby trees. It can kill trees in just seven years.

Breaking up stands of trees helps reduce the spread of beetles and mistletoe. The combination of beetles, mistletoe, and drought is the “perfect storm to cause widespread mortality,” according to Rung. He recommended patch cuts, which remove all trees in 1-to 5-acre swaths, separating tree stands, and thinning 20% to 40% of the trees within stands.

Rung noted the presence of cultural resources on the ranch, such as a cabin foundation and abandoned charcoal kilns. He said those would be preserved.

Rung estimated fire mitigation could be done on 140 acres for $2,000 per acre by July or September of 2026. Paklaian put the price tag for the entire project at $300,000 and offered to pay half. He asked for an informal commitment from the DWSD board. The board agreed and asked Hawker to clarify the costs and draft a letter of intent. Vanderschuere said, “We’ve been watching this and knew it was coming. Denial is stupidity.”

Request to lease effluent approved

Hawker told the board she had received a request from Letha Robison to lease 12 acre-feet of effluent from the UMCRWWTF to replace evaporative depletion from two ponds, for a cost of $150 per acre-foot, which is twice what DWSD receives for effluent it leases to the Arkansas Groundwater and Reservoir Association. Robison will pay all legal fees and will be responsible for conveying the effluent from the treatment plant to her ponds. The board voted unanimously to approve the lease request.

Well 7 redrilling costs

In January, Hawker told the board that El Paso County had agreed to pay about $475,000 of the cost of redrilling Well 7, using funds the county received from the American Recovery Plan Act earmarked for radium removal. At the meeting in February, she presented a memo she had written to El Paso County Financial Services documenting that DWSD had followed its emergency procurement process when redrilling the well. The board voted to approve the memo as presented.

Financial and operational reports

Hawker told the board that revenues and expenses for the first month of 2026 were as expected and the board voted to approve her financial report.

Superintendent of Water Operations Ronny Wright said the Holbein Water Treatment Plant was back in service after being taken offline for cleaning, and the R. Hull Water Treatment Plant would be out of service for cleaning in the next couple of weeks. He noted crews installing fiber optic cable had caused a water leak by drilling into a water line on Gleneagle Drive.

Waste Plant Maintenance Technician Jarred Durham reported the district had treated 24.6 million gallons of wastewater in January, with all parameters within limits.

Executive session

The meeting ended with an executive session to confer with legal counsel regarding the district’s Intragovernmental Agreement for the UMCRWWTF and a personnel issue. No actions were taken following the executive session.

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The next board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 19 at 1:30 p.m. Generally, board meetings are held on the third Thursday of the month at 1:30 p.m. and include online access; call (719) 488-3603 or access www.donalawater.org to receive up-to-date meeting information. The district office is located at 15850 Holbein Drive, Colorado Springs.

James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me. Jackie Burhans can be reached at jackieburhans@ocn.me.

Other Donala Water and Sanitation District articles

El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority, Feb. 18 – Board hears preliminary engineering designs

Highlights

  • The Loop board heard preliminary engineering designs for expanding the Callahan Reservoir and upgrading the water treatment plant, with Phase 1 capacity planned at 2 million gallons per day, rising to 4 million in Phase 2.
  • The project aims to reduce reliance on Denver Basin groundwater by recovering reusable return flows from participating districts, expanding Callahan Reservoir from 640 to 740 acre-feet and then to 2,200 acre-feet.
  • For the water treatment plant, 14 quality factors were considered; total dissolved solids posed the biggest challenge, and Granular Activated Carbon was chosen to treat it, with a multi-stage process including sedimentation, ultrafiltration, GAC, RO, alkalinity adjustment, and chlorination.
  • Pump stations and pipelines were designed to move water 52 miles north, with a three-part alignment and five pump stations recommended to balance safety, reliability, and long-term cost, plus standardized stations and fiber optic communication.
  • Callahan Reservoir expansion favors rehabilitating the existing dam embankment and changing the diversion point from Fountain Creek to keep water cooler and improve quality, rather than building new embankments elsewhere.
  • On finances, the board approved January invoices totaling $168,000, received $375,000 in reimbursements for Q3 2025 expenses, and held an executive session to discuss legal matters related to property, financing, and Sundance Pipeline agreements; no actions were taken.

By James Howald

In February, the companies engineering the water treatment plant, the pumps and pipelines and the expansion of the Callahan Reservoir presented their preliminary engineering designs to the El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority (EPCRLWA, or the Loop) board. For this meeting, the Loop board invited board members from the three participating districts to attend. The Donala Water and Sanitation District was represented by Board President Wayne Vanderschuere and Directors Kevin Deardorff, Ken Judd, and Scott McCullough. Mayor Mitch LaKind and Trustees Steve King, Laura Kronick and Chad Smith attended on behalf of the Town of Monument. Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District board President Brian Bush and Directors Dana Franzen, Roy Martinez, and Tom Roddham also attended. After the engineering presentations, the Loop board heard a financial report and the meeting ended with an executive session.

Loop water re-use project takes shape

In his opening remarks, Loop board President Jessie Shaffer said Merrick and Co., Burns & McDonnell, and CDM Smith “have been working tirelessly against tight deadlines.” The project began in 2021 and, in 2022, received $4 million in funding from the American Recovery Plan Act.

Rebecca Hutchinson, the Loop’s interim workflow manager, said the goal of the Loop is to remove reliance on Denver Basin groundwater by recovering reusable return flows from the participating districts. The project will expand the capacity of the Callahan Reservoir in two phases: first from 640 to 740 acre-feet, and then to 2,200 acre-feet.

The water treatment plant will also be developed in two phases: In phase one, it will treat 2 million gallons a day, increasing to 4 million gallons per day in the final phase.

Hutchinson commented on milestones to date, which include the departure of Cherokee Metropolitan District (CMD) from the project; the expansion of the Loop’s board to six members (two from each participating district); negotiations with CMD for the purchase of its Sundance Pipeline; the completion of a Letter of Intent with Tallgrass forming a public-private partnership to provide construction funding; and work on easement acquisition, the control network, and boundary surveys.

Water treatment plant design

Nikole Rachelson, department manager at Burns & McDonnell’s Municipal Water Treatment group, discussed the design for the water treatment plant. She said 14 water quality factors were considered in the design, including total dissolved solids (TDS), taste and odor, total organic carbon, and PFAS chemicals—sometimes called “forever chemicals” due to their resistance to decomposition. Baseline measurements for these factors were taken in the water diverted from Fountain Creek, and target amounts in treated water were established. Rachelson said water quality testing showed TDS to be the biggest challenge. Three alternatives to treat TDS were considered, and Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) was chosen as the best approach because it can meet future regulations and is easy to operate.

Rachelson laid out a treatment protocol with multiple stages:

  • Sedimentation.
  • Ultrafiltration using membranes.
  • GAC.
  • Reverse osmosis.
  • Alkalinity adjustment and chlorination.

Rachelson also presented a floor plan for the treatment plant and explained how its capacity could be doubled with no building expansion.

Pump stations and pipelines

Kyle LeBrasse, a Project Engineer with Burns & McDonnell, presented the design for the pump stations and pipelines needed to convey water 52 miles north to customers in the participating districts. He laid out a pipeline plan requiring three parts: first, a southern alignment that would connect the water treatment plant to the existing Sundance Pipeline, then a central alignment that would repurpose 20 miles of the pipeline, saving time and construction costs, and, finally, a northern alignment that would extend from the Sundance Pipeline to the member agencies.

Three designs were considered for the pump stations, LeBrasse said. The first alternative, which Burns & McDonnell recommended as the best balance of safety, reliability, and long-term cost, called for five pump stations, allowing the system to operate at lower, more manageable water pressures. The two other alternatives required four pump stations but required higher pressures, making leaks more likely. All three designs called for standardized pump stations to simplify maintenance and parts inventories and for chlorination boosting at all pump stations. The pump stations will communicate with each other via fiber optic cable. The system relies on existing storage capacity in the participating districts for resiliency in case of a pump station failure.

Callahan Reservoir expansion

Eli Gruber, a water resources engineer with CDM Smith, presented three alternatives for expanding the capacity of the Callahan Reservoir. He recommended rehabilitating the existing dam embankment to handle the increased storage capacity the Loop required rather than building a new embankment in the same location as the existing embankment or building a second, redundant embankment to the north of the existing embankment. Gruber recommended changing the point of diversion from Fountain Creek, which would keep the water in the reservoir cooler, improving its quality.

Financial report

Shaffer told the board that invoices totaling $168,000 had been received in January. The invoices were from accounting, legal, and engineering companies. The board approved payment of the invoices.

He noted that the Loop had received reimbursement of $375,000 from the El Paso Board of County Commissioners for the Loop’s expenses during the third quarter of 2025.

The bank reconciliation included in the board packet for the meeting said the Loop had $836,000 in the bank.

The board voted unanimously to accept the financial report.

Executive session

Following the presentations, the board held an executive session to receive legal advice regarding the acquisition or sale of real property and legal questions relating to financing, public-private partnerships, member and Loop Authority agreements, and agreements related to the Sundance Pipeline acquisition. No actions were taken following the executive session.

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The next regular meeting is scheduled for March 19 at 9 a.m. Regular meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month at 9 a.m. at the Monument Town Hall at 645 Beacon Lite Road. Please see loopwater.org or call 719-488-3603 to verify meeting times and locations.

James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me.

Other El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority articles

Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District, Jan. 12 – Board hires new attorney

Highlights

  • The Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District board hired attorney Tamara Seaver at its 2026 meeting to replace retiring Erin Smith, highlighting Seaver's strong background in public-private partnerships and prior work with WWSD on joint facility agreements.
  • Smith said Seaver is an experienced district attorney from a leading firm in public-private partnerships, and Seaver noted her history with WWSD and other districts managing water rights, emphasizing her long practice and commitment to institutional clients.
  • The board passed Resolution 26-01 to govern operations and compliance, including filing a map of the service area, budgeting timelines, and posting notices on the district website, while authorizing the sale of old equipment and supplies.
  • District Manager Jessie Shaffer announced that Highway 105 Phase B easements are being handled by Transportation Resource Services, with WWSD utility lines affected and relocated before construction; the board authorized Shaffer to sign the related documents as they come.
  • Financially, revenues in November exceeded expenditures by $550,000, with construction budgeting shifting to 2026 and strong reserves noted; operational reports highlighted multiple water leaks, a blocked sewer line, and ongoing Loop water projects with 30% design progress and plans to hire an executive director for the Loop.

By James Howald

At its first meeting in 2026, the Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District (WWSD) board hired attorney Tamara Seaver to replace Erin Smith. Smith is retiring after representing WWSD for 26 years. The board took care of two pieces of housekeeping that are needed annually: an administrative matters resolution and authorization to dispose of equipment of “de minimis,” or insignificant, value.

District Manager Jessie Shaffer was authorized to sign Highway 105 Phase B easement agreements. The board heard operational and financial reports from District Manager Jessie Shaffer, Operations Superintendent Dan LaFontaine, board Treasurer Dana Franzen, and District Engineer Cydney Saelens. The meeting ended with an executive session.

Seaver’s experience with public-private partnerships a plus

Smith introduced Seaver, telling the board she is “an experienced district lawyer from an experienced district law firm.” Smith pointed out that Seaver’s experience with public-private partnerships would benefit the Loop water re-use project as well as WWSD. She said Seaver’s law firm, Icenogle Seaver Pogue P.C., was one of the strongest in the state regarding public-private partnerships.

Seaver said she began practicing law at 25 and had been retained by WWSD previously to litigate its Joint Use of Facilities Agreement that governs the Tri-Lakes Wastewater Treatment Facility that WWSD operates in partnership with the towns of Monument and Palmer Lake. She has served other districts that are managing their water rights portfolios, Seaver said. A Colorado native, Seaver said she had been with the same law firm since beginning to practice law, and she enjoyed serving institutional clients.

The board voted to authorize board President Brian Bush to sign a Letter of Engagement hiring Seaver as the district’s attorney.

Administrative resolution passed

The board adopted Resolution 26-01, which lays out the rules that govern the board’s operations and ensures compliance with state laws. The resolution addresses issues including:

  • The requirement to file a map of the district’s service area with the El Paso County Clerk and Recorder.
  • The schedule for preparing and filing a proposed and final budget.
  • The use of the district web page at https://www.woodmoorwater.com for posting regular and special meeting notices.

The board also authorized General Manager Jessie Shaffer to sell old computers, office furniture, used well drop pipe, and brass water meter bodies.

Highway 105 easements

Shaffer told the board that Transportation Resource Services Inc. is acquiring rights of way and easements required by El Paso County’s effort to widen Highway 105 to the east of Lake Woodmoor Drive to Martingale Road. Some of WWSD’s utility lines will be affected by the Phase B construction and will be relocated before construction begins. Board President Brian Bush recommended that Shaffer sign the necessary paperwork as it is submitted to the district.

Financial and operational reports

Franzen noted that in November, revenues exceeded expenditures by $550,000. “We are back in the sweet spot we were in a few months ago,” he said, noting that some construction budgeted for in 2025 was postponed until 2026. “We have strong reserves and are in excellent shape,” Franzen said.

In his Manager’s Report, Shaffer said all of the Loop’s consultants were getting their designs to 30% completion. He said the Loop’s participating districts had agreed to hire an executive director who would report to the Loop board. To date, the Loop has not hired any staff directly; it has used consultants instead.

LaFontaine reported seven water leaks and a sewer line blocked by 6 feet of tree roots.

In her Engineering Report, Saelens said she had given Lewis-Palmer School District 38 comments on its Safe Routes to Schools (SRTS) plan, which includes construction of a bridge over the spillway at the south end of Lake Woodmoor. Bush commented that the SRTS project has been under development for nine years.

Saelens also reported that El Paso County plans a traffic roundabout at the intersection of Deer Creek Road and Woodmoor Drive, with construction starting in March.

Executive session

The meeting ended with an executive session to receive legal counsel regarding potential agreements with El Paso County and Monument Fire District. No action was taken following the executive session.

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The next meeting is on Feb. 9 at 1 p.m. Meetings are usually held on the second Monday of each month at 1 p.m. at the district office at 1845 Woodmoor Drive. Please see www.woodmoorwater.com or call 719-488-2525 to verify meeting times and locations.

James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me.

Other Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District articles

Monument Sanitation District, Jan. 21 – Buc-ee’s advances sewer plan

Highlights

  • The Monument Sanitation District board heard an update on Buc-ee's plan to install offsite sewer infrastructure along Beacon Lite Road for its proposed travel center, with final design review and bid preparations anticipated after a meeting next week.
  • District Manager Mark Parker noted that El Paso County's road improvements on Beacon Lite Road are underway, but the MSD sewer work is planned to occur before county crews finish paving to avoid tearing up recently repaved sections.
  • The board unanimously approved a yearly administrative resolution outlining rules for compensation, meeting schedules, budgeting, audits, and election management, as well as a second resolution designating the district's web page and offices as the official notices locations.
  • Public comments highlighted that the MSD website currently carries outdated board member information and lacks the 2026 budget posting, indicating a need for updated online information.

By Jackie Burhans and James Howald

At a brief meeting in January, the Monument Sanitation District (MSD) board heard a report from District Manager Mark Parker that focused on Buc-ee’s plans to install sewer infrastructure along Beacon Lite Road for its proposed travel center. The board also took care of some annual housekeeping requirements by approving an administrative resolution and a resolution naming the locations where notices will be posted. It also heard public comments.

Buc-ee’s sewer plan complete

Parker told the board that he is attending weekly meetings with El Paso County regarding the county’s project to straighten, level, pave, and add curbs and gutters to Beacon Lite Road. At a previous meeting, Parker explained that the county had planned to do this work years before Buc-ee’s announced its intention to build a travel center just east of the intersection of County Line Road and Beacon Lite Road. That work has already begun, Parker said.

Parker explained that MSD had received a complete design from Buc-ee’s for the offsite sanitary sewer service required by its proposed travel center. MSD reviewed the plans with GMS Inc., its consulting engineers, and had provided final edits to Kimley-Horn, the engineering company that created the plans for Buc-ee’s. Parker said a meeting was scheduled for next week, at which final approval for the sewer work would be given, allowing Buc-ee’s to put the work out to bid. Parker commented at a previous meeting that the sewer work should be completed before El Paso County completed its work on Beacon Lite Road to avoid the cost of tearing up a recently repaved road.

Compensation to be reviewed

The board voted unanimously to approve Resolution 01212026-1, its annual administrative resolution. The resolution ensures compliance with state laws and documents the rules under which the board will operate, such as:

  • Compensation for directors.
  • The schedules for board meetings, budget, and audits.
  • The district manager will serve as the budget officer.
  • The Designated Election Official will manage elections.

The board passed a second resolution designating the district’s web page and offices as the locations where notices of meetings will be posted. Notices are posted on the web page here: https://www.MonumentSanitationDistrict.org/board-meetings. The MSD offices are at 130 Second St., Monument.

Public comments

Resident Laura Kronick, a member of the Monument Town Council, pointed out that the MSD website had out-of-date information about who sits on the district’s board and did not yet have the 2026 budget posted.

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Monument Sanitation District meetings are held at 9 a.m. on the third Wednesday of the month in the district conference room at 130 Second St., Monument. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Feb. 18. See MonumentSanitationDistrict.org. For a district service map, see www.MonumentSanitationDistrict.org/district-map. For information: 719-481-4886.

Jackie Burhans can be reached at jackieburhans@ocn.me. James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me.

Other Monument Sanitation District articles

Donala Water and Sanitation District, Jan. 15 – 2026 rates and fees amended

Highlights

  • The Donala Water and Sanitation District approved corrections to the Water Investment Fee, set originally as $4,200 per single-family residence or equivalent, with the correction announced during the public hearing on Resolution 2026-2; new rates include a $3 per-day fee for late installations and inspections, a $750 bulk water deposit for developers, and a 5% increase to both the Minimum Water and Minimum Sewer Service Rates, effective immediately except for water and sewer rates which take effect in March.
  • The board approved the corrected resolution unanimously, and the changes were described by Interim General Manager Christina Hawker and Billing Administrator Ashley Uhrin; the changes also affect timing and implementation of the new rates.
  • The district discussed the process for filling the general manager position; two board members will evaluate resumes and, with Linda Glesne's briefing on the hiring process, proceed with the first-round review.
  • The NMCI project was revisited with CSU inviting DWSD to reconsider joining; participation could allow DWSD to send sewer flows to a CSU-owned treatment plant and reduce DWSD's operation of the Upper Monument Creek Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility, with TMD and FLMD expressing interest in NMCI, though DWSD previously favored the Loop water reuse project due to limitations on effluent reuse in NMCI.
  • An administrative Resolution 2026-1 was unanimously approved, establishing district budgeting rules, meeting locations, and a schedule for future board meetings, typically on the third Thursday each month at 1:30 p.m.
  • The meeting concluded with an executive session to discuss the Intragovernmental Agreement for the Upper Monument Creek Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility; no actions were taken in that session, and the next board meeting is scheduled for Feb. 19 at 1:30 p.m. (details available via the district).

By James Howald and Jackie Burhans

At its meeting in January, the Donala Water and Sanitation District (DWSD) board held a public hearing on corrections and amendments to its water and sewer rates and fees. The board discussed how to proceed with hiring a new general manager. DWSD’s possible participation in the North Monument Creek Interceptor (NMCI) project was briefly discussed in the open session and deferred to the executive session. Annual housekeeping matters were addressed in an administrative resolution and a board meeting schedule. The meeting ended with an executive session.

Water investment fee corrected

Board President Wayne Vanderschuere opened a public hearing on Resolution 2026-2, which documents changes to the water and sewer rates and fees approved in 2025. Interim General Manager Christina Hawker explained that the Water Investment Fee, which pays for the purchase of Willow Creek Ranch, the connection to Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU), and additional water resources, was originally set at $4,200 but should have been set at $4,200 per single-family residence or equivalent. The new resolution corrected that error, she said.

Billing Administrator Ashley Uhrin explained additional changes, which include:

  • A new $3 per-day fee will be imposed if installations and inspections are not completed within the designated time.
  • A $750 deposit, to be paid by developers, on bulk water provided by DWSD’s fill station.
  • An increase of 5% to the Minimum Water Service Rate over the 2025 rate.
  • An increase of 5% to the Minimum Sewer Service Rate over the 2025 rate.

Uhrin said the new rates would go into effect immediately, except for water and sewer rates, which will go into effect in March.

Vanderschuere closed the hearing, and the board voted unanimously to approve the resolution.

General manager position to be filled

Vanderschuere said the last time DWSD had interviewed candidates for its general manager position, it had assigned two board members to cull resumes and applications, then the board discussed that short list and interviewed selected candidates. He said Linda Glesne, DWSD’s attorney, had offered to brief the board on the hiring process. Directors Ken Judd and Kevin Deardorff will do the first round of resume evaluation, Vanderschuere said.

NMCI gets another look

Vanderschuere said CSU had contacted the district to ask if it would reconsider joining the NMCI project. Participation in the NMCI would enable DWSD to send its sewer flows to a CSU-owned treatment plan and remove the need for DWSD to continue to operate the Upper Monument Creek Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility (UMCRWWTF), which it shares with the Triview Metropolitan District (TMD), the Forest Lakes Metropolitan District (FLMD), and the Academy Water and Sanitation District. TMD and FLMD have expressed interest in joining NMCI.

DWSD has debated joining the NMCI project for several years but has decided to join the Loop water re-use project instead, in part because the NMCI design does not provide a way for DWSD to re-use its effluent, which the Loop does provide.

Vanderschuere said there were legal ramifications involved in the decision, adding that Roger Sams of GMS Inc., DWSD’s consulting engineer, would go into the details of the legal decision in the executive session.

Administrative resolution passed

The board voted unanimously in favor of Resolution 2026-1, which established the rules and regulations that special districts must follow, such as the schedule for preparing, submitting, and amending their budget, and where their meetings will be held. The board also approved a schedule for its board meetings, which are typically held on the third Thursday of every month at 1:30 pm.

Executive session

The meeting ended with an executive session to confer with legal counsel regarding the district’s Intragovernmental Agreement for the UMCRWWTF. No actions were taken following the executive session.

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The next board meeting is on Thursday, Feb. 19, at 1:30 p.m. Generally, board meetings are held on the third Thursday of the month at 1:30 p.m. and include online access; call (719) 488-3603 or access www.donalawater.org to receive up-to-date meeting information. The district office is located at 15850 Holbein Drive, Colorado Springs.

James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me. Jackie Burhans can be reached at jackieburhans@ocn.me

Other Donala Water and Sanitation District articles

Triview Metropolitan District, Jan. 22 – 2026 snowpack “really bad”

Highlights

  • The Triview Metropolitan District board discussed potential low snowpack and its impact on spring runoff, and approved closing Subdistrict A, which lies north of Higby Road.
  • District officials warned that 2026 could see unusually low snowpack, with the Arkansas River in the 3rd percentile and the upper Colorado River Basin below zero percentile, though they remain confident in supplying water to customers.
  • Water usage data for 2025 showed 989 acre-feet total, with 695 acre-feet from renewable sources via the Northern Delivery System, prompting a reevaluation of the 2026 water management plan.
  • The NMCI project, a proposed 10.1-mile pipeline to transport untreated wastewater to Colorado Springs Utilities for processing, is in the works with cost sharing and financing discussions slated for the February meeting.
  • Subdistrict A was declared inactive to avoid annual zero-budget filings, with reactivation requiring a future board resolution, and the district reported strong sales tax performance and a favorable year-end financial report for 2025.
  • In closing, the board noted that executive sessions were held to discuss legal and negotiation matters related to water, agreements, and the NMCI project, with no actions taken upon return to regular session.

By Natalie Barszcz

At the Triview Metropolitan District (TMD) meeting on Jan. 22, the board heard about the potential for low snowpack affecting spring runoff in the region. The board approved the closure of Subdistrict A (the area south of Higby Road).

The board held an executive session to receive legal advice relating to water matters, pending litigation, agreements with the Town of Monument (TOM) and other governmental and private entities, the potential participation in the Northern Monument Creek Interceptor (NMCI) project, and the AGRA Recharge Pond Easement.

Director Mark Demkowicz was excused.

Snowpack update

District Manager James McGrady said the snowpack is looking like a “really bad” year for 2026, with the Arkansas River in the 3rd percentile (just slightly above the worst year recorded) and the upper Colorado River Basin below zero percentile. Years 2002, 2011, and 2012 were dry, and the Northern Delivery System (NDS) was built to be reliant on snowpack spring runoff with the knowledge that there will be dry years when the district will be more reliant on wells. 2026 may be a meager year for snow runoff, but the district is in good shape to supply water to its customers, said McGrady.

Water Treatment Superintendent Gary Potter said the total water usage for 2025 was 989-acre feet of water, with 695-acre feet of renewable water delivered via the NDS. The extremely low snowpack has led the district to re-evaluate the water management plan for 2026.

Water operations update

Potter said the NDS produced 47% of the district’s water, with 53% from wells, for a total of about 13.91 million gallons in December. The district sold about 12.62 million gallons to customers, leaving 985,954 gallons or about 7.09% of non-revenue (water unbilled). The district had 16.13% unbilled water in December 2024, said Potter.

Assistant Manager Steve Sheffield thanked the team for working diligently to lower the water- unbilled percentage for the district. At a recently attended conference, he discovered the average U.S. utility non-revenue water loss is 12%, and 20% of utilities have non-revenue water loss of 30%.

Potter said the Environmental Protection Agency water testing samples from the district’s wells were all found to contain zero Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The testing occurs every three years.

NMCI project update

McGrady said the board would discuss the NMCI project during executive session, as lawyers are working on agreements and the costs of the project are being finalized. At the February regular meeting, the cost sharing and bond financing for the project will be discussed, said McGrady.

The NMCI project is a proposed 10.1-mile pipeline that would transport untreated wastewater from TMD and Forest Lakes Metropolitan District to Colorado Springs Utilities J.D. Phillips Water Resource Recovery Facility (located near I-25 and Garden of the Gods Road) for processing.

Subdistrict inactive

McGrady said subdistrict A overlays six filings in the north of the Jackson Creek development (south of Higby Road) that includes Creekside Developments. The Creekside Developments agreement was revised after five years of filing zero assessment for debt service. Resolution 26-01 declares the subdistrict inactive and avoids filing a zero budget every year.

General Counsel George Rowley said that reactivating subdistrict A in the future would require the board to approve another resolution. In a 4-0 vote, the board approved the resolution.

Financial update

McGrady said the district had a good year in sales tax revenue received and is expecting about another $300,000 for December sales tax revenue.

In a 5-0 vote, the board accepted the financial report as presented for the year-ending Dec. 31, 2025, and the checks presented over $5,000.

Executive session

The board moved into executive session at about 7:30 p.m. to receive legal advice pursuant to section 24-6-402(4)(e) Colorado Revised Statutes (CRS), for the purposes of determining positions relative to matters that may be subject to negotiations, developing strategies for negotiations and instructing negotiators as it relates to water matters, pending litigation, agreements with the TOM and other governmental entities, potential participation in the Northern Monument Creek Interceptor and the AGRA Recharge Pond Easement, and to receive legal advice pursuant to Section 24-6-402(4)(b) CRS as it relates to the subject matter above.

Sheffield confirmed to this reporter that upon returning to the regular session, no action was taken.

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Meetings are usually held on the third Thursday of the month at the district office located at 16055 Old Forest Point, Suite 302. The next regular board meeting is scheduled for Feb. 19 at 5:30 p.m. For meeting agendas, minutes, and updates, visit https://triviewmetro.com.

Natalie Barszcz can be reached at nataliebarszcz@ocn.me.

Other TriView Metropolitan District articles

El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority, Jan. 15 – Board hears updates from Merrick and SpencerFane

Highlights

  • The Loop board heard progress on design review for the Burns & McDonnell lift stations and pipelines, with a change order cut to $37,000 after noting an initial $70,000 demand was unjustified.
  • Geotech reduced bore holes and cost for soil analysis at Calhan Reservoir expansion from 12 holes at $119,000 to 8 or fewer holes at $55,000, and the board approved a change order for the lower cost.
  • Negotiations to buy the Sundance Pipeline from Cherokee Metropolitan District were ongoing, with expectations of a response from CMD soon.
  • Invoices totaling $156,000 from December were approved for payment, and the Loop reported $1.3 million in third-quarter expenses submitted for county reimbursement, with ongoing financial contributions from participating districts.
  • The Loop currently has about $510,000 in the bank, and the next regular meeting is set for Feb. 19 at 9 a.m. at Monument Town Hall.

By James Howald

At a brief meeting in January, the El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority (EPCRLWA, or the Loop) board heard progress reports from Rebecca Hutchinson, a civil design engineer with Merrick and Co., who is acting as the Loop’s workflow manager, and from Mallory Craig, a lawyer with SpencerFane, the Loop’s legal adviser. Corben Fromm, of Fromm & Co. LLC, the Loop’s accounting firm, gave the board a financial report.

Change orders scrutinized

Hutchinson told the board that Burns & McDonnell, the company designing the lift stations and pipelines for the Loop, was expected to have its design available for review soon. Hutchinson said the plan would be reviewed by Merrick and then would be available to the Loop board. She said that a change order to the contract now stood at $37,000, an increase from the original cost.

Board President Jessie Shaffer noted that the change order had been reduced from $70,000. He said that Burns & McDonnell had done some additional work beyond what was specified in the contract, but an increase of $70,000 was unjustified. The board voted to approve a change order for the lower amount.

A cost decrease in regard to the expansion of the Calhan Reservoir was also reviewed. At the previous meeting, there was discussion about the number of bore holes required to categorize the soils at the reservoir and at the Chilcott Ditch. Geotech, the company analyzing the soils, originally proposed drilling 12 holes at a cost of $119,000. Shaffer said Geotech had agreed to reduce the number of bores and lower the cost to $55,000. Board member Dan LaFontane made a motion to draft a change order at the lower cost; his motion was approved by the board.

Craig told the board that negotiations for the Loop to buy the Sundance Pipeline from Cherokee Metropolitan District (CMD) were still underway, and she expected to hear from CMD soon.

Financial report

Fromm told the board that invoices totaling $156,000 had been received in December. The invoices were from accounting, legal, and engineering companies. The board approved payment of the invoices.

He noted that the Loop had received reimbursement from the El Paso Board of County Commissioners for the Loop’s expenses during the first and second quarters of 2025. Fromm said $1.3 million in expenses for the third quarter had been submitted to the county for reimbursement, and the Loop had received financial contributions from the participating districts.

Fromm said the Loop had $510,000 in the bank.

The board voted unanimously to accept Fromm’s financial report.

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The next regular meeting is scheduled for Feb. 19 at 9 a.m. Regular meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month at 9 a.m. at the Monument Town Hall at 645 Beacon Lite Road. Please see loopwater.org or call 719-488-3603 to verify meeting times and locations.

James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me.

Other El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority articles

Donala Water and Sanitation District, Dec. 11 – 2026 budget adopted

Highlights

  • The Donala Water and Sanitation District finished its 2026 budget process, set fees and mill levies, appointed a DWSD representative to the Loop Water Authority, discussed security upgrades, and planned to search for a new general manager.
  • The 2026 budget includes 5% rate increases for water and sewer, with operating and administrative expenses projected at $7.1 million and debt service at $751,000, while capital projects are expected to cost about $1.8 million and total revenue is estimated at $11.6 million.
  • Mill levies were set: 21.296 mills for the bulk of the district and 10.648 mills for six properties near Stuthers Loop that receive only water service from DWSD, with both levies approved unanimously.
  • Director William George was appointed to represent DWSD on the Loop Water Authority board, replacing Jeff Hodge who is on paid administrative leave, while Christina Hawker will remain a second DWSD representative and Cade Pennington will be the alternate.
  • In other business, the board debated security upgrades and authorized Hawker to obtain an upgrade plan with two quotes, noting a recent alarm event, EPA compliance needs, and a potential cost range from $47,000 to $150,000.
  • The meeting also covered operational reports, such as potential grant reimbursement for Well 7D, a ranch trespass issue near Willow Creek Ranch, manganese reporting concerns, and routine treatment plant maintenance, ending with an executive session about a water court case.
  • The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 15 at 1:30 p.m., with details available through DWSD's website or by phone.

By James Howald and Jackie Burhans

In December, the Donala Water and Sanitation District (DWSD) board completed work on the district’s 2026 budget and set its fees and mill levies. It appointed a new member to the Loop Water Authority’s board and discussed upgrades to its security. The board heard operational reports and set a goal to begin a search for a new general manager. The meeting ended with an executive session.

2026 budget wrapped up

Board President Wayne Vanderschuere opened a public hearing on the budget, rates, and fees for 2026.

Interim General Manager Christina Hawker said the budget includes 5% rate increases for water and sewer service as discussed in previous meetings.

The Budget Message included in the packet for the meeting notes that the district’s operating and administrative expenditures are anticipated to be $7.1 million, with $751,000 earmarked for long-term debt service payments. Capital improvement projects, including tank and well rehabilitation, sewer line inspections, and water rights expenses, are expected to cost $1.8 million. Total operating and non-operating revenue is estimated at $11.6 million.

Following Hawker’s presentation, the board voted to approve Resolution 2025-8, which adopts the budget and Resolution 2205-9, which appropriates the required funds.

Mill levies set

Resolution 2025-10, which the board passed unanimously, sets the mill levy for the bulk of the district at 21.296 mills. Resolution 2025-11, also passed unanimously, sets the mill levy for six properties near Stuthers Loop at 10.648 mills. Those properties have a lower mill levy because they receive only water service from DWSD.

Director appointed to Loop board

The board appointed Director William George to represent DWSD on the Loop Water Authority board, replacing General Manager Jeff Hodge, who is on paid administrative leave (see https://wp.ocn.me/v25n9dwsd/ for details). Hawker will continue as DWSD’s second representative on the Loop board. Water Operator Cade Pennington is DWSD’s alternate.

New general manager sought

During Director’s Comments, Vanderschuere asked the board to begin thinking about how to appoint a new permanent general manager in the first quarter of 2026.

Security upgrade

Hawker told the board she had been looking into improving the district’s physical security and its emergency response plan. Because the cost might exceed $50,000, Hawker required board approval and two quotes for the work. Hawker said a recent alarm event brought to her attention a gap in the district’s camera footage, and the Environmental Protection Agency is putting rules in place in 2026 with which DWSD’s emergency response plan must comply.

Hawker said the quotes for the work were far apart; the lower was $47,000 and the higher was $150,000. The board voted to authorize Hawker to continue her comparison and move forward with the best option.

Operational reports

In her acting general manager’s report, Hawker mentioned she was trying to determine if Well 7D is eligible for reimbursement under a grant for radium abatement.

Hawker said she had received a call from a trusted source regarding unauthorized hunting on the district’s Willow Creek Ranch. The board recently discussed granting access to the ranch to nearby residents in return for their agreeing to contact the district in the event of unauthorized uses of the ranch. Hawker contacted Colorado Parks and Wildlife to begin a poaching investigation and advised the board to press trespassing charges. She said she had communicated with the person in question to let him know he did not have permission to use the ranch.

Hawker noted that high manganese levels had initiated a Discharge Monitoring Report, but Waste Plant Operator Aaron Tolman believed the reporting method had been misinterpreted and the district was not in violation.

In his report, Tolman said he was working on clarifying the manganese reporting, and all other wastewater measurements were within limits.

Superintendent of Water Operations Ronny Wright noted that water sales were slow. He reported on an issue with a hatch gasket on a water storage tank that required the tank to be disinfected and refilled. He said the Holbein treatment plant and the R. Hull treatment plant were scheduled for backwashing and filter replacement over the next few months.

Executive session

The meeting ended with an executive session to confer with legal counsel regarding the district’s pending water court application in Case 24CW3019. No actions were taken following the executive session.

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The next board meeting is on Thursday, Jan. 15, at 1:30 p.m. Generally, board meetings are held on the third Thursday of the month at 1:30 p.m. and include online access; call (719) 488-3603 or access www.donalawater.org to receive up-to-date meeting information. The district office is located at 15850 Holbein Drive, Colorado Springs.

James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me. Jackie Burhans can be reached at jackieburhans@ocn.me

Other Donala Water and Sanitation District articles

Triview Metropolitan District, Dec. 11 – Water and wastewater rates increase; 2026 budget approved

Highlights

  • The Triview Metropolitan District held public hearings on the 2026 utility rates, fees, and the 2026 budget, and ratified an agreement with PFM Consulting LLC.
  • A rate forecast was presented for water and wastewater services, followed by approval of Resolution 2025-15 to set 2026 rate tables, with details available in the district's December newsletter.
  • The 2026 budget aims to increase cash reserves, advance the Higby Road widening project, offer strong employee benefits with a 3.5% COLA, invest in equipment, maximize renewable water use, maintain facilities, complete the district's operations building, participate in NMCI, and pursue infrastructure projects like a roundabout at Jackson Creek Parkway and Lyons Tail Road.
  • The board also approved the property tax debt service mill levy of 13.5 and the operations mill levy of 7, totaling 20.5 mills, along with related measures including administrative resolutions, an amended contract with FLMD, an audit engagement letter, an MVEA undergrounding work order, an easement with Stonewall Springs Reservoir Co., and an agreement with PFM Consulting LLC for real property matters.
  • Water operations showed Northern Delivery System delivering roughly 69% of the district's water in November and expected to do so in December, with a small amount of non-revenue water, while a water storage tank project at Plant B remains on hold until spring 2026.
  • In an executive session, the board discussed water matters, TOM agreements, NMCI funding timelines, and related negotiations, per Colorado law.
  • The next regular meeting is scheduled for Jan. 15 at 5:30 p.m., and meeting details are available on the district's website.

By Natalie Barszcz

At the Triview Metropolitan District (TMD) meeting on Dec. 11, the board held a public hearing on the 2026 utility rates, fees, connection charges, public works fees such as drainage fees, parks and open space fees, and road and bridge fees, and a public hearing on the district’s 2026 budget. The board ratified an agreement with PFM Consulting LLC.

The board held an executive session to receive legal advice regarding water matters, pending litigation, agreements with the Town of Monument (TOM) and other governmental and private entities, the Central Reservoir, the acquisition of a right-of-way for Blevins Buckle, and the Northern Monument Creek Interceptor (NMCI) project.

Director John Gibbons was excused.

Water and wastewater rates

The board received a rate forecast presentation from consultants Andrew O’Brien and Payton Gibson of Waterworth. O’Brien explained the timeline for the suggested rate increases and the management of revenue through 2030. Waterworth provides a software platform to manage and predict the future revenues needed to maintain the district’s level of services to its customers.

After holding a public hearing with no comments during or received before the meeting, the board reviewed and approved Resolution 2025-15 establishing rates and fees for the provision of water and wastewater services for TMD. For the rate tables effective Jan. 1, 2026, and other updates, see the TMD December newsletter at www.triviewmetro.com.

2026 budget

District Manager James McGrady said the budget goals are:

  • Increase cash reserves to the fullest extent possible, start and complete the Higby Road widening project (could extend into 2027).
  • Provide strong benefit packages to reward employees and foster employee retention with a 3.5% COLA increase.
  • Provide equipment and vehicles to ensure jobs can be performed.
  • Maximize the use of the district’s renewable water resources.
  • Ensure the district’s facilities, including roads, parks, open space, reservoirs, diversion structures, wells, and pump stations, are maintained and enhanced.
  • Complete the district’s utility operations and administration building.
  • Fund and participate in the NMCI.
  • Maximize the use of existing infrastructure in order to maximize revenues and build a roundabout on Jackson Creek Parkway at Lyons Tail Road.

After holding a public hearing with no comments, the board reviewed and approved Resolution 2025-16, certifying the district’s property tax debt service mill levy set at 13.5 mills, and the property tax operations mill levy used to pay for the voter-approved Higby Road project bond payments, set at 7 mills, for a total of 20.5 mills.

In a 4-0 vote, the board approved the 2026 budget, appropriating the funds for the district.

McGrady said the district also receives revenue via a sales tax share back with the TOM for operations, and the Specific Ownership Tax (vehicle registrations) and other revenue from building permits, use tax, Forest Lakes Metropolitan District (FLMD), Colorado Conservation Trust Fund, grants, programming fees from Sanctuary Pointe Park, and interest earnings.

In a 4-0 vote, the board also approved the following:

  • Resolution 2025-17, the annual administrative resolution.
  • The fifth amendment to an agreement between FLMD and TMD for Contract Operation Services (provided by the district), effective Jan. 1, 2026.
  • An audit engagement letter between TMD and Haynie and Co. to perform the district’s 2025 financial audit in 2026.
  • An approval for Mountain View Electric Association Inc. (MVEA) work order 230923 for the undergrounding of about 5,500 feet of overhead power line from Jackson Creek Parkway to a point about 600 feet east of Harness Road in the amount of $993,838.
  • An easement agreement between TMD and the Stonewall Springs Reservoir Co., a Colorado Mutual Water Company, and the district.
  • The board approved an agreement with PFM Consulting LLC. to provide consulting services at a rate of $150 per hour plus expenses relating to mining, environmental permitting, and all related matters associated with real property at the Stonewall Springs Reservoir complex located in Pueblo.

Water operations update

The report submitted by Water Treatment Superintendent Gary Potter stated that the Northern Delivery System produced 69% of the district’s water in November, and the same percentage is expected for December in keeping with the budget. The district produced about 14,257gallons in the October billing cycle and sold about 13,883 gallons to customers, leaving 337,847 gallons or about 2.62% of non-revenue (unbilled) water. Potter is optimistic that Triview is at the start of a new trend after two months in a row of very low water loss.

Additional water storage

Assistant Manager Steve Sheffield said the water storage tank project at Plant B in Promontory Pointe is on hold until spring 2026. The construction of the tank will be determined after the project goal of preparing the site for the construction of the concrete tank is completed. The site requires the installation of additional underground piping, new stormwater alignments, and final grading in 2026.

Executive session

The board moved into executive session at about 7:54 p.m. to receive legal advice pursuant to Colorado Revised Statutes (CRS) section 24-6-402(4)(b), as it relates to water matters and agreements with the TOM and other governmental entities, acquisition of right-of-way for Blevins Buckle, NMCI project funding timeline and discussions with DWSD, and the Monument 2040 Plan. The session also involved determining positions related to matters that may be subject to negotiations, developing strategies for negotiations, and instructing negotiations as it relates to the previously mentioned subjects, pursuant to CRS section 24-6-402(4)(e).

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Meetings are usually held on the third Thursday of the month at the district office located at 16055 Old Forest Point, Suite 302. The next regular board meeting is scheduled for Jan. 15 at 5:30 p.m. For meeting agendas, minutes, and updates, visit https://triviewmetro.com.

Natalie Barszcz can be reached at nataliebarszcz@ocn.me.

Other Triview Metropolitan District articles

Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District, Dec. 15 – 2026 budget adopted and rates set

Highlights

  • The Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District held a December public hearing on 2026 rates and concluded the budget hearing from the prior meeting, while also renewing its contract with the Chilcott Ditch Co. and considering supplemental water service for a new Monument Fire District station.
  • During the rate hearing, the district announced increases for water and sewer taps of 10% and 3%, respectively, with base water and sewer charges rising 7% and 5%, while the Renewable Water Infrastructure Fee stays at $40 per month.
  • In the budget discussion, District Manager Jessie Shaffer noted 2026 expected revenue of just over $14 million and expenditures of $19.5 million, needing about $5.4 million from reserves, with total reserves projected at $18.5 million by year-end 2026, and the board approved two resolutions setting 2026 rates and adopting the budget.
  • Monument Fire District requested 2.7 acre-feet per year of supplemental water at $34,500 per acre-foot per year, and the board asked Shaffer to draft an agreement for later approval.
  • The Chilcott Ditch Co. contract was renewed without changes, maintaining WWSD's role in management and ditch rider services as part of the Loop water re-use project.
  • Woodmoor Ranch revegetation, managed by contractor Paul Flack, was nearly complete with 98% of the land restored to native grasses; the remaining 2% could not be revegetated due to high water tables and natural runoff.
  • Flack plans to prepare a formal report to a water judge, and a thank-you note highlighted his strong work and suggested honoring him with a named warehouse at the ranch.
  • Operational updates described ongoing Loop water re-use project work, including a preliminary design for a water treatment facility and anticipated completion of pipeline and pump design in January, with plans to expand the Calhan Reservoir and coordinate access with the Sundance Pipeline.
  • The meeting closed with a short executive session to discuss potential legal agreements with LWA and MFD, after which no action was taken, and the district announced its next meeting for January 12 at 1 p.m. at the district office.

By James Howald

At its December meeting, the Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District (WWSD) board held a public hearing on its rates for 2026 and concluded a public hearing on its budget opened at its previous meeting. It discussed a request for supplemental water service from the Monument Fire District (MFD) for a new station it plans to build on the west side of Jackson Creek Parkway and renewed WWSD’s contract with the Chilcott Ditch Co.

Paul Flack, the contractor managing the revegetation project at Woodmoor Ranch, gave the board a final report on the 10-year effort. The board heard operational and financial reports from District Manager Jessie Shaffer, Operations Superintendent Dan LaFontaine, board Treasurer Dana Franzen, and District Engineer Cydney Saelens. The meeting ended with an executive session.

Rate increases and budget approved

At the public hearing on rates, Shaffer told the board that water and sewer tap fees would increase by 10% and 3%, respectively. The base fee and volumetric rates for water service would increase by 7% and the base fee for sewer service would increase by 5%. The Renewable Water Infrastructure Fee would remain unchanged at $40 per month. A complete schedule of fees for 2026 is on the district’s website here: https://tinyurl.com/4hwwt2ts.

There were no comments from the public, and the hearing was closed.

At the continuation of the hearing on the 2026 budget, Shaffer said there were few changes to the draft presented at the November meeting, just some adjustments to when the district would pay retainage fees to contractors. He said he added documentation to the November draft for the board’s information.

Shaffer said the 2026 budget anticipated revenue just above $14 million and expenditures of $19.5 million, requiring about $5.4 million to be spent from reserves. Total reserves of $18.5 million were expected at the end of 2026, Shaffer said.

The budget hearing was closed, and the board voted unanimously in favor of Resolution 25-04, which sets the rates and fees for 2026, and Resolution 25-05, which adopts the budget and appropriates the required funds.

Supplemental water requested by MFD

MFD Division Chief of Support Services Jamey Bumgarner asked the board to consider providing 2.7 acre-feet per year of supplemental water service to a new fire station planned for a site west of Jackson Creek Parkway and north of the Tri-Lakes YMCA. Supplemental water service costs $34,500 per acre-foot per year. Bumgarner said MFD’s request complied with WWSD’s water demand methodology.

Board President Brian Bush directed Shaffer to draft an agreement with MFD for the board to approve at a later meeting.

Contract with Chilcott Ditch Co. renewed

Shaffer asked the board to consider renewing the district’s contract with the Chilcott Ditch Co. The contract, which is renewed every year, obligates WWSD to provide management, administrative, and ditch rider services to the company. WWSD is the largest shareholder in the ditch company, and the Chilcott Ditch, which conveys water from Fountain Creek to shareholders and to the Calhan Reservoir, will be used as part of the Loop water re-use project. Shaffer told the board there were no changes to the previous year’s contract, and the board voted unanimously to approve it.

Woodmoor Ranch revegetation project complete

In his introduction of Flack, Shaffer told the board that the work to revegetate Woodmoor Ranch with native grasses, required by the district’s conversion of the ranch’s water rights from agricultural to municipal uses, was substantially complete and had met the terms and conditions of WWSD’s water decree. The active part is done, Shaffer said, and now the focus would be on stewardship and land management practices around weed management. He thanked Flack for doing a phenomenal job.

Flack gave the board an overview of the report he will write on behalf of the district. The report will be written to sum up the project to a water judge in the unlikely event that the work is ever disputed.

Flack said 98% of the ranch had been successfully revegetated with native grasses and explained why the other 2% could not be revegetated. Some portions could not be revegetated because the water table was too high, making the land too salty to allow grass to grow. Another portion was not suitable for revegetation because it was naturally irrigated by runoff from nearby hills.

In his conclusion, Flack gave Shaffer some tools and notebooks that survived a tornado at the ranch in 2019 as keepsakes. Bush suggested that the warehouse at the ranch be named in Flack’s honor.

Operational reports

In his manager’s report, Shaffer said 2026 would be a busy year for the Loop water re-use project. He said Burns & McDonnell had submitted a preliminary design for the water treatment facility, and the Loop’s board had provided comments that Burns & McDonnell were incorporating into its design. Shaffer said the design of the pipelines and pumps, also assigned to Burns & McDonnell, was expected to be completed in January. The plan to enlarge the Calhan Reservoir is 30% complete, and the Loop board is discussing access to the Sundance Pipeline with its owner, the Cherokee Metropolitan District. “We are wound tight,” Shaffer said.

In response to a question from Director Roy Martinez, LaFontaine explained some of the technical details of the water treatment plant design. He explained that after an initial filtration, the Loop’s water would be filtered again through Granular Activated Carbon (GAC), which can remove so-called “forever chemicals,” pharmaceuticals, endocrine disruptors, and other emergent contaminants. LaFontaine said the use of GAC “future-proofed” the water treatment design. A further stage of treatment would keep the level of Total Dissolved Solids at an acceptable level, LaFontaine said. The treatment plant would initially have two filtration trains providing redundancy and capable of delivering 2 million gallons of treated water daily. The design anticipates the addition of another two filtration trains at buildout, LaFontaine said.

In his financial report, board Treasurer Dana Franzen said revenue from water sales would not reach projected levels for the year, and revenue from tap fees was also less than expected. Expenses were in line with revenues, Franzen said, adding, “Everything looks good.” Shaffer commented that there had been less legal work related to water rights in 2025 than expected. Professional fees related to Woodmoor Ranch were also falling, he said.

District Engineer Cydney Saelens reported that the drilling for Well 12R is complete, and welders were brought in to address structural issues with the south water tank so that recoating can continue. She said that the Northbay development, which is just north of Lake Woodmoor and east of The Cove, is active again and a Planned Unit Review had been submitted for zoning review. The number of homes in the development has been reduced from 28 to six, Saelens said. The Monument Ridge East project had just submitted another round of plans for review by WWSD, addressing just the single-family homes planned for the east edge of the property, Saelens said,

Executive session

The meeting ended with an executive session for the board to receive legal counsel regarding potential agreements with the LWA and the MFD. No action was taken following the executive session.

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The next meeting is on Jan. 12 at 1 p.m. Meetings are usually held on the second Monday of each month at 1 p.m. at the district office at 1845 Woodmoor Drive. Please see www.woodmoorwater.com or call 719-488-2525 to verify meeting times and locations.

James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me.

Other Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District articles

Monument Sanitation District, Dec. 17 – 2026 budget approved; compensation debated

Highlights

  • The Monument Sanitation District board approved the 2026 budget and the 2026 rates and fees, with the only changes to the fee schedule being higher lien filing and certification fees to cover El Paso County's processing costs.
  • The budget projects a starting fund balance of $934,000, about $1.37 million in income, $2.31 million in expenditures, and an ending balance of roughly $976,000. The public hearing closed without comments.
  • During the meeting, the board approved Resolution 12172025-1 for the budget and noted that a 5% salary increase was included in the budget but would be decided later, as part of a separate discussion on compensation and potential cost-of-living adjustments.
  • Director Shannon Clark abstained from the vote on the budget resolution due to insufficient information, while the rest of the board voted in favor.
  • On compensation, board member Dan Hamilton and Director Clark reviewed pay levels at comparable districts and pushed to align MSD's compensation more closely with those benchmarks by March, noting the current use of bonuses was unusual.
  • Hamilton proposed a 3% cost-of-living increase for Parker starting January, plus $1,000 for Parker and $750 for Allsup as cash gifts to maintain continuity with past practices, and the board unanimously supported those moves as a step toward restructuring compensation away from bonuses.
  • Conclusion: The district moves forward with a balanced 2026 budget and adjusted compensation plans, aiming for greater alignment with peer districts while maintaining stable lien-related fees and a measured approach to wage adjustments. The next meeting is January 21, with details available on the district's website.

By Jackie Burhans and James Howald

At its December meeting, the Monument Sanitation District (MSD) board concluded its work on its 2026 budget and approved rates and fees that are unchanged except for lien fees. It also discussed how to align its compensation with similar districts.

Budget approved and funds appropriated

Board President Dan Hamilton opened a public hearing on the proposed 2026 budget and on the rates and fees, both of which the board had hammered out at a workshop meeting and at its November meeting. Parker noted that the only changes to the fee schedule were increases to the fees for filing and certifying liens. Parker explained that the increases were due to El Paso County (EPC) increasing what it charges to handle the liens that MSD files against delinquent accounts. The fees compensate EPC for the work it does to collect the liens. EPC deposits the money due to MSD in MSD’s bank account, Parker explained.

The 2026 budget specifies a beginning fund balance of $934,000. It anticipates $1.37 million in income and $2.31 million in expenditures, for an ending fund balance of $976.

There were no comments from the public, and the hearing was closed.

The board considered Resolution 12172025-1, which adopts the 2026 budget and appropriates the required funds. Parker said the budget allowed for 5% salary increases. Hamilton said he wanted to discuss cost-of-living increases and bonuses included in the budget later in the meeting during the Director’s Matters agenda item.

Director Shannon Clark said she intended to abstain from the vote on the resolution because she didn’t have enough information. She noted that other sanitation districts were increasing wages by only 3%, and she didn’t understand why MSD was budgeting for a 5% increase.

Parker explained that, while the budget contained funds for a 5% increase, any increase would be decided as a separate issue later. Director Janet Ladowski said that was the process used the previous year.

The board, including Clark, voted to approve the resolution.

The board then took up Resolution 12172025-2, which approves the rates and fees for 2026. Parker said he had researched the fee schedules of surrounding districts and thought MSD’s fees were in line with the districts he investigated.

The board voted unanimously for the resolution.

Compensation to be reviewed

Hamilton said he and Clark had reviewed the compensation in place at some comparable districts, and as a result, he and Clark were not sure MSD’s compensation for Parker and Accounts Administrator Cheran Allsup aligned with other districts. He said he wanted to continue to study that issue with the goal of aligning MSD’s compensation by March. He said he wasn’t going to push for major changes at the December meeting because he did not have all the facts. He noted that he has not been doing annual performance reviews with Parker. Hamilton said MSD was alone in its use of bonuses, which were “left over from the past.”

Clark handed out compensation schedules she had collected from comparable sanitation districts. Hamilton pointed out that the salaries for district managers varied from $73,000 to $343,000—a huge range.

Hamilton moved to give a cost-of-living increase of 3% for Parker, to begin in January. He also recommended cash gifts of $1,000 to Parker and $750 to Allsup, because he did not want to depart from previous years’ practice too abruptly. Hamilton said he wanted to move away from bonuses and gifts by getting Parker’s compensation properly set. The board voted unanimously in favor of Hamilton’s motion.

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Monument Sanitation District meetings are held at 9 a.m. on the third Wednesday of the month in the district conference room at 130 Second St., Monument. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Jan. 21. See MonumentSanitationDistrict.org. For a district service map, see www.MonumentSanitationDistrict.org/district-map. For information: 719-481-4886.

Jackie Burhans can be reached at jackieburhans@ocn.me. James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me.

Other Monument Sanitation District articles

El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority, Dec.18 – Board considers hiring executive director

Highlights

  • The El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority board discussed the possibility of hiring an executive director to handle day-to-day operations, with plans to relieve directors who already balance full-time district roles.
  • The idea envisions the executive director as the Loop's first employee to manage coordination of contractors, calls, and meetings for a busy 2026.
  • Several directors supported the move, while one member suggested keeping design committees staffed for continuity.
  • A draft job posting and salary range of $145,000 to $185,000 were discussed, with a note to avoid using American Recovery Plan Act funds to prevent added regulatory burdens.
  • William George was welcomed as the replacement for Jeff Hodge on the Loop board, representing the Donala Water and Sanitation District, though he was excused from the December meeting due to travel.
  • Hutchinson provided updates on the Geotech drilling plan and Burns & McDonnell designs, noting a $119,000 addition for 12 soil bores and a 30% completion milestone for the pumps and pipelines design by January 22.
  • Fromm reported November invoices totaling $123,000 and a $138,000 reimbursement from the El Paso County Board of Commissioners, with 21% of the 2025 budget spent to date.
  • The board unanimously approved posting the executive director position and accepted Fromm's financial report, with the next meeting scheduled for January 25 at 9 a.m. at Monument Town Hall.

By James Howald

At its meeting in December, the El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority (EPCRLWA, or the Loop) board discussed hiring an executive director. The board acknowledged a replacement for one of the Donala Water and Sanitation District’s (DWSD) representatives on the Loop’s board. Patricia Hutchinson, a civil design engineer with Merrick and Co., who is acting as the Loop’s workflow manager and coordinating the work being done by the consulting and engineering companies contributing to the project, gave the board an update. The board heard a financial report from Corben Fromm, of Fromm & Co. LLC, the Loop’s accountant.

Executive director to ease workload

Board President Jessie Shaffer asked the board to consider hiring an executive director to take on day-to-day administrative work currently done by the directors, each of whom has a full-time job with one of the participating districts in addition to their responsibilities with the Loop. If the board adds the position, the executive director would be the Loop’s first employee; previously, all Loop tasks have been handled either by the Loop directors, who are appointed by the boards of the participating districts, or by contractors.

Shaffer said 2026 would be a busy year for the project, requiring lots of coordination of contractors, calls, and meetings. He suggested adding a full-time executive director to handle the Loop’s business. Shaffer noted that much of the directors’ time was dedicated to working on the committees overseeing large aspects of the Loop project, such as the design of the water treatment plant and the expansion of the Calhan Reservoir. He said he had discussed the possibility with some of the Loop’s directors and had drafted a job posting. Shaffer said it might take time to find the right candidate.

Directors Christina Hawker and Madeline VanDenHoek, who represent DWSD and the Town of Monument, respectively, agreed with Shaffer’s suggestion.

Director Dan LaFontaine, who represents the Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District, said, for the sake of continuity, the staffing of the design committees should remain unchanged.

Tom Tharnish, who represents the Town of Monument, asked Shaffer to send his draft of the job responsibilities to all the directors. Shaffer said he would do so, adding that he thought a salary of $145,000 to $185,000 would be appropriate.

Attorney Nicole Peykov suggested that the executive director not be paid with funds from the American Recovery Plan Act, as doing so would add a regulatory burden.

The board voted unanimously to authorize Shaffer to post the position.

DWSD’s William George to succeed Jeff Hodge

The board welcomed William George as the replacement for Jeff Hodge, who, until recently, had represented DWSD on the Loop’s board. George, who was traveling, was excused from the December meeting.

Merrick update

Hutchinson told the board that she had received an update to the Loop’s agreement with Geotech that included drilling 12 bores to categorize the soils at the site of the water treatment facility, at the Calhan Reservoir, and at the Chilcott Ditch, at an additional cost of $119,000. Shaffer questioned the need for 12 bores and asked Hutchinson to ask Geotech why so many were needed.

Hutchinson said the design for the water treatment facility being done by Burns & McDonnell had been reviewed the previous week, and changes were being considered based on the feedback from that review.

The design for required pumps and pipelines, also being done by Burns & McDonnell, was planned to be 30% complete by Jan. 22, Hutchinson said.

Financial report

Fromm told the board that invoices totaling $123,000 had been received in November. The invoices were from accounting, legal, and engineering companies, with Burns & McDonnell being the primary service provider. The board approved payment of the invoices.

He noted that the Loop had received a check for $138,000 from the El Paso Board of County Commissioners, as reimbursement for the Loop’s expenses during the first quarter of 2025. Fromm expected reimbursement checks for the second and third quarters to be received soon.

Fromm said the Loop had spent 21% of its budget for 2025.

The board voted unanimously to accept Fromm’s financial report.

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The next regular meeting is scheduled for Jan. 25 at 9 a.m. Regular meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month at 9 a.m. at the Monument Town Hall at 645 Beacon Lite Road. Please see loopwater.org or call 719-488-3603 to verify meeting times and locations.

James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me.

Other El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority articles

Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District, Nov. 17 – Rate increases for 2026 discussed

By James Howald

The Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District (WWSD) board met in November to hear a presentation from Andrew Rheem, a senior manager at Raftelis, the company that advises WWSD about rates and financial modeling. Rheem advised the district to continue with a schedule of rate increases proposed in 2024 and characterized the impact of those increases on the district’s ratepayers. The board held a public hearing on its proposed 2026 budget and awarded a contract to eliminate a lift station. District staff gave operational reports. Finally, Erin Smith, WWSD’s attorney for 26 years, announced her retirement.

Rates and tap fees to rise

District Manager Jessie Shaffer said that in previous workshops and discussions, the board had decided to increase the base fee and volumetric rates for water by 7% in 2026, and to increase the fee for sewer service by 5%. Tap fees for water and sewer connections were set to increase by 10% and 3%, respectively. The Renewable Water Infrastructure Fee (RWIF), which funds WWSD’s purchase of the Woodmoor Ranch and its renewable water rights, would remain unchanged at $40 per month.

Rheem presented a schedule of further rate increases from 2027 through 2034. In 2027 and 2028, water rates will rise by 5% and sewer rates will rise by 4%. Then, from 2029 through 2034, both rates will rise by 3%. The RWIF will remain unchanged. Rheem said his projected rates would be subject to adjustments as needed.

According to Rheem, for residential customers, the 2026 increases will mean the monthly sewer fee will increase from $37.47 to $39.34 and the monthly water fee from $11.56 to $12.27. For the first 6,000 gallons of water used, the cost of 1,000 gallons will rise from $7.33 to $7.84. The median annual user’s bill will rise from $111 to $125.

Shaffer pointed out that the increases were largest in the first year of the schedule to avoid major increases in the future, and the increases were planned considering the district’s payments for its participation in the Loop water reuse project. Shaffer also noted that customers are using less water than they used in 2006 due to more efficient appliances and landscaping choices that are more oriented toward water conservation.

2026 budget hearing

Shaffer opened a public hearing on the 2026 proposed budget and briefly reviewed the changes he had made to it in response to the board’s input at a workshop. The rate increases proposed by Rheem were incorporated into the 2026 budget, and he had reduced the estimated revenue from supplemental water service. Supplemental water service for a new fire station to be built by the Monument Fire Department on Jackson Creek was included, Shaffer said.

There were no comments from the public; the budget hearing was left open until the next board meeting on Dec.15. A public hearing on the proposed rate increases will also be held at that meeting.

Construction contract awarded

Richard Hood, of JVA Consulting Engineers Inc., recapped the events that led to the decision to eliminate rather than update a lift station on Lost Arrowhead Drive. In January 2025, Hood explained, WWSD had requested bids to update the lift station, but the cost was prohibitive. JVA was able to design a gravity sewer reroute that eliminated the need for the lift station.

In October 2026, WWSD requested bids to demolish the lift station. Six bids were received. Mid-City Corp. submitted the lowest bid at $325,000, but JVA’s examination of the bid showed that it was “unbalanced and non-responsive” because its unit price was significantly lower than past projects. It appeared that upfront costs were too great, and material suppliers were not included as the request for proposal required. JVA recommended the contract be awarded to Native Sun Construction, whose bid was $13,000 more than Mid-City’s bid.

The board voted unanimously to award the contract to Native Sun, with a $30,000 change order contingency included.

Financial and operational reports

In his review of October’s finances, board Treasurer Dana Franzen said the district’s financial performance was where he expected it to be, with net profit down temporarily due to a higher-than-usual number of contract payments.

In his Manager’s Report, Shaffer updated the board on the Loop water reuse project, in which WWSD is a participant. Contracts have been signed with CDM Smith to increase the capacity of the Calhan Reservoir and with Burns & McDonnell to design the water treatment plant and the pumps and pipelines. Discussions are underway with Tallgrass Colorado Municipal Water LLC to finance the project through a public-private partnership.

Shaffer said that in 2026 the Loop should advance all design work to 60% completion, and if the public-private financing does not come to fruition, then the Loop will need to get contractors more involved, perhaps through a Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) framework, in which the contractor is more involved in the design and is required to provide a guaranteed maximum price. Board President Brian Bush said that in 2026 the Loop would need to decide between a public-private partnership or issuing bonds.

Office Manager Cory Lynch told the board about the implementation of TextMyGov, a new way to communicate with the district’s customers during emergencies by sending alerts via text messages. Customers must opt in to the program using a link on the district’s webpage, which can be found at https://woodmoorwater.com. Customers with cell phones can text “WWSD” to 91896 to opt in to the service, Lynch said, and they will be notified by text when there is an interruption to their service.

In her Engineer’s Report, District Engineer Cydney Saelens said the Monument Ridge East development was moving ahead with plans for 37 single-family residences planned for the eastern boundary of the property, adjacent to Misty Acres.

Attorney to retire

Attorney Erin Smith, who has advised and represented the district for 26 years, announced her retirement. She said she was immensely grateful for the honor of serving the WWSD board and its outstanding staff and district management. She said she would provide Bush and Shaffer with a list of potential replacements. She hoped the transition could be complete by mid-February.

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The next meeting is on Dec. 15 at 1 p.m. Meetings are usually held on the second Monday of each month at 1 p.m. at the district office at 1845 Woodmoor Drive. Please see www.woodmoorwater.com or call 719-488-2525 to verify meeting times and locations.

James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me.

Other Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District articles

Monument Sanitation District, Nov. 19 – Draft of 2026 budget reviewed

By Jackie Burhans and James Howald

The Monument Sanitation District (MSD) board met in November to review a draft of its 2026 budget. It also voted on a resolution authorizing the El Paso County treasurer to collect MSD’s delinquent accounts. District Manager Mark Parker updated the board on the work that the county has planned for Beacon Lite Road.

Budget process begins

Parker presented the board with a draft of the district’s 2026 budget. He focused on the differences with the previous year’s budget, noting:

  • A change in janitorial companies led to a reduction of a few hundred dollars in that line item to $3,500.
  • Parker used a Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) of 2.7% to calculate wage increases. Money for merit raises was included.

Director Shannon Clark noted that the previous year’s budget included two rounds of PFAS testing that had been budgeted for but not performed. PFAS chemicals are sometimes referred to as “forever chemicals” because they break down very slowly. They are associated with many health issues, such as an increased risk of kidney cancer.

Parker said the 2026 budget anticipated lower revenue from tap fees due to some building projects being delayed. He said he estimated expenses as high and income as low to avoid amending the proposed budget.

Clark noted a decrease in postal costs due to the district’s successful implementation of online billing. Parker added that office supplies were reduced by half in the 2026 budget for the same reason.

Parker told the board a final version of the budget would be available to vote on at its December meeting.

Delinquent accounts go to county treasurer for collection

The board voted unanimously to approve Resolution 10152025-1, which authorizes the El Paso County treasurer to collect MSD’s delinquent accounts as part of its collection of property taxes. The cost of collection will be added to the amount due.

Parker estimated 22 delinquent accounts will be collected.

Beacon Lite Road work begins

Parker told the board that regular meetings including MSD, El Paso County, engineering firm Kimley Horn, and the Town of Monument had begun. GMS Inc., MSD’s consulting engineers, will also attend the meetings, Parker said, to ensure the changes meet MSD’s requirements

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Monument Sanitation District meetings are held at 9 a.m. on the third Wednesday of the month in the district conference room at 130 Second St., Monument. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Dec. 17. See MonumentSanitationDistrict.org. For a district service map, see www.MonumentSanitationDistrict.org/district-map. For information: 719-481-4886.

Jackie Burhans can be reached at jackieburhans@ocn.me. James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me.

Other Monument Sanitation District articles

Donala Water and Sanitation District, Nov. 20 – Water rights and exchange options reviewed

By James Howald and Jackie Burhans

In November, the Donala Water and Sanitation District (DWSD) board heard a presentation on its water rights and exchange options from Kelsey Briggs, a project manager at LRE Water. Acting General Manager Christina Hawker updated the board on changes to the proposed 2026 budget. The board considered a petition for inclusion into the district from the Bill and Vickie Hancock Living Trust and approved a license agreement to grant limited access to the district’s Willow Creek Ranch property. The meeting ended with two executive sessions, after which no action was taken.

Surface water and exchanges key to district’s future

Briggs walked the board through a detailed memo she had prepared documenting DWSD’s surface water rights and exchange options. An exchange is a mechanism to move water to where it can be used without the use of pumps or pipelines. Exchanges divert water from a river, stream, or other source and then return an equal amount from a different source so that the water rights owned by downstream users remain intact. Briggs discussed an example exchange in which water was diverted from the Fountain Creek Mutual Canal (FCMC) to the Big Johnson Reservoir, and then water was conveyed from the Pueblo Reservoir to the confluence of the FCMC and the Arkansas River, so that users of the Arkansas River downstream from the exchange point would have an equal amount of water available to them after the exchange.

Briggs said DWSD currently depends primarily on groundwater pumped from the Denver basin aquifers but has three renewable surface water rights: Laughlin Ditch water rights diverted from Fountain Creek, Willow Creek Ranch water rights diverted from the Arkansas River, and the district’s reuseable return flows of treated effluent from the Upper Monument Creek Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility (UMCRWWTF). As aquifers deplete, well water will become more expensive, Briggs said, so it is important to move to renewable surface water to control costs in the long term.

The Laughlin Ditch water rights were purchased in 2017. The district currently does not have a method to convey, treat, and deliver this water to its customers; the water is leased to the Arkansas Groundwater and Reservoir Association (AGRA).

The Willow Creek Ranch water rights were acquired in 2009. This water is currently stored in the Pueblo Reservoir and then treated and conveyed to DWSD customers through a contract with Colorado Springs Utilities. When the Pueblo Reservoir reaches its storage capacity, DWSD’s water is the first to be released downstream to keep the reservoir within its limits.

The reusable return flows from the UMCRWWTF will be treated and conveyed to DWSD customers by the Loop water reuse project.

According to Briggs, DWSD has four “exchange-to” locations from which water can be diverted, Briggs said, which are:

  • The Chilcott Ditch headgate.
  • The Fountain Mutual Ditch (FMD) headgate.
  • The confluence of Beaver Creek and Monument Creek.
  • A point to be decided between the Tri-Lakes Wastewater Treatment Facility and the UMCRWWTF.

The district has five “exchange-from” locations to which water can be directed:

  • The confluence of the Arkansas River and Fountain Creek.
  • Stonewall Springs Reservoir complex.
  • Big Johnson Reservoir.
  • Spring Creek Augmentation Station on the FMD.
  • Chilcott Augmentation Station.

Briggs said the district will need to develop a long-term strategic plan to identify the most efficient ways to combine the “exchange-to” and “exchange-from” points to deliver water to its customers. The district’s water lawyer, Matt Poznanovic, would need to handle related issues in the water court. Briggs said she could develop a flow model in six months that would help the board decide how to use its water rights and exchanges. The board directed her to do so.

Proposed 2026 budget

Hawker updated the board on changes she made to the proposed 2026 budget since the board meeting in October. The cost of inspecting the sewer system by video camera was reduced from $296,000 to $99,000 due to a decision to inspect just a third of the system. The cost of participating in the Loop was increased from $250,000 to $550,000. Hawker said she increased this line item after receiving the Loop’s proposed budget for 2026. The amount for the Loop includes DWSD’s portion of the first option payment for the Loop’s purchase of the Sundance Pipeline from the Cherokee Metropolitan District.

Hawker added that she is working with the El Paso Board of County Commissioners to get reimbursement for $400,000 of the cost to redrill Well 7D as part of the district’s American Recovery Plan Act grant for radium reduction.

The board’s December meeting has been rescheduled to the 9th so that the board can have a final vote on the budget before Dec. 15, when the district must submit the final version of the budget to the state.

Petition for inclusion

Director Bill George opened a public hearing on a petition from the Bill and Vickie Hancock Living Trust to include a property it owns at 15220 Leather Chaps Drive into the district’s water service area. The property is too far from DWSD’s sewer collection system to be included for sewer service. George was facilitating the meeting because board President Wayne Vanderschuere was attending from his home via Zoom.

Hawker reviewed the history of the property, which was included in the district’s service area in 2022 but was later subdivided. The trust decided it would be cheaper to have a well and septic system and requested exclusion from the district, becoming part of unincorporated El Paso County. The county later decided well and septic systems would not be allowed on properties smaller than five acres, prompting the trust to make the petition for inclusion before the board.

The board voted unanimously to grant the petition.

Willow Creek Ranch license agreement

At its meeting in October, the board discussed allowing neighbors of its Willow Creek Ranch property near Leadville to have access to the ranch in return for alerting the board to any unauthorized use of the ranch. Staff was directed to draft a license agreement and release that would grant limited access. Director Ken Judd asked Hawker to draft a waiver to allow horse riding on the property. Hawker said she would draft the waiver, and no vote was needed on the license agreement.

Executive sessions

Following its regular meeting, the board held two executive sessions. Each was a separate item on the agenda and was attended by varying staff and consultants.

The first session was to confer with counsel regarding personnel matters. This session was attended by board members only.

The second session was to receive legal advice regarding the district’s water court application in Case No. 24CW3019.

No actions were taken following the executive sessions.

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The next board meeting is on Tuesday, Dec. 9 at 1:30 p.m. Generally, board meetings are held on the third Thursday of the month at 1:30 p.m. and include online access; call (719) 488-3603 or access www.donalawater.org to receive up-to-date meeting information. The district office is located at 15850 Holbein Drive, Colorado Springs.

James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me. Jackie Burhans can be reached at jackieburhans@ocn.me.

Other Donala Water and Sanitation District articles

Triview Metropolitan District, Nov. 20 – Land inclusion approved; legal counsel charges defined

By Natalie Barszcz

At the Triview Metropolitan District (TMD) meeting on Nov. 20, the board approved a petition for inclusion of land into the district from All in Investments LLC and an engagement letter from White Bear Ankele (WBA) Local Government Law PC to provide a continuance of general counsel legal services to the district. The board heard the Higby Road project was delayed, and additional well water was being delivered to customers to supplement the district’s surface water delivered via the Northern Delivery System (NDS).

The board held an executive session to discuss the purchase and sale of water and land, agreements with the Town of Monument (TOM) and other governmental and private entities, the acquisition of right-of-way for Blevins Buckle, the Northern Monument Creek Interceptor (NMCI) project funding timeline and discussions with Donala Water and Sanitation District (DWSD), and the Monument 2040 Plan.

Petition for land inclusion

District Manager James McGrady requested the board approve a petition for land inclusion from All in Investments LLC for about 8.07 acres at 16050 Old Denver Road.

Water Counsel Chris Cummins said it is unknown what will eventually be developed on the property and the land inclusion will not be presented for board approval until such time. There is no commitment for the district, but the request for a petition for land inclusion allows for a letter of intent to provide water to the west side of Old Denver Road and allows for next-step discussions for the district to provide utilities, said Cummins.

The board unanimously accepted the petition for land inclusion and continued the discussion in executive session.

General counsel engagement

General Counsel George Rowley of WBA Local Government Law PC said new legislation requires law firms to provide clients with transparency of pricing (the fixed costs). The board was presented with an engagement letter stipulating the legal fees.

The board unanimously approved the engagement letter.

Higby Road project update

Assistant Manager Steve Sheffield said the Higby Road project ran into some unforeseen delays due to other utility conflicts with the district storm drain infrastructure. The delay is significant enough to put the project into mid-March 2026. The district is working with Kiewit to release a new schedule for spring and fall 2026.

McGrady said the original plan would have paused in October for the winter months and the new design is expected to be finalized within days.

Note: For additional information about the project and updates, visit https://triviewhigbyroad.com.

Road sign updates

Parks and Open Space Superintendent Matt Rayno said the district installed additional pedestrian crossing warning signs at Toreva Drive and speed limit signs on Leather Chaps Drive. The signs are needed to get drivers to slow down, he said.

Tap fee update

McGrady said the district budgeted 85 tap fees from residential homes and year-to-date 84 taps have been received, but it is difficult to project the commercial taps fees. Year-to-date the district has received about $4.627 million in tap fee revenue (includes some commercial tap fees). The tap fee revenue is very important to maintain the utility enterprise fund used to expand the distribution and collection system that supplies the districts water. The fund is supporting the Bale Ditch and Arkansas Valley Irrigation Co. headgate/diversion construction projects, said McGrady. For more information on the district projects, visit https://triviewmetro.com.

Water operations update

Water Treatment Superintendent Gary Potter said the NDS produced 39% of the district’s water in October, using more wells to lower production costs to meet budget goals, said Potter.

McGrady said the district is supplementing the NDS water with pumped well water to ensure the allocated 700 acre-feet of surface water lasts through the remainder of the year.

Potter said issues continue with the reading accuracy of the flow measuring equipment at the Upper Monument Creek Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility. Additional meters have been added to help determine the district’s daily flow rate.

The district produced about 22,745 gallons in the October billing cycle and sold about 21,830 gallons to customers, leaving 807,960 gallons of non-revenue water (unbilled). The following counter-measures took place:

  • Several irrigation meters were found to be severely under registering water usage and have been replaced.
  • The billing data was analyzed, and anomalies were found that were creating inaccuracies.
  • Leaks in the distribution system have been identified and repaired.
  • Water meter bypasses have been identified and removed (one had been running for a long time in a neighboring HOA east of the district).
  • The district is improving the accuracy of unbilled water usage.

Since working for the district, it is the first time the non-revenue water is a six-figure number but it may never be zero, said Potter.

District Administrator Sara Lamb said the irrigation season has ended for 2025, and the district’s irrigation and domestic accounts had been checked for leaks after winter shut-off using the Beacon data (meter reading system), and no leaks were found as of Nov. 13.

Executive session

The board moved into executive session at 7:56 p.m. to receive legal advice pursuant to Colorado Revised Statutes (CRS) section 24-6-402(4)(b), as it relates to water matters and agreements with the TOM, and other governmental entities, acquisition of right-of-way for Blevins Buckle, NMCI project funding timeline and discussions with DWSD, and the Monument 2040 Plan. The board was working to determine positions related to matters that may be subject to negotiations, developing strategies for negotiations, and instructing negotiations as it relates to the previously mentioned subjects, pursuant to CRS section 24-6-402(4)(e).

Sheffield confirmed to this reporter that when the board returned to the regular session at 9:04 p.m., a question/answer session took place with McGrady and Cummins regarding the need to hire a consultant to begin the process of building the Central Reservoir. The board unanimously approved the hiring of Jody Schreiber as a consultant for the Stonewall Springs Central Reservoir project.

No further action items were discussed and the meeting adjourned at 9:12 p.m.

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Meetings are usually held on the third Thursday of the month at the district office located at 16055 Old Forest Point, Suite 302. A public hearing for the proposed 2026 budget will be held at the next regular board meeting scheduled for Dec. 11 at 5:30 p.m. For meeting agendas, minutes, and updates, visit https://triviewmetro.com.

Natalie Barszcz can be reached at nataliebarszcz@ocn.me.

Other Triview Metropolitan District articles

El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority, Nov.20 – 2025 budget reviewed; 2026 budget adopted

El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority, Nov.20 – 2025 budget reviewed; 2026 budget adopted

By James Howald

In November, the El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority (EPCRLWA, or the Loop) board reviewed its 2025 budget and held a public hearing on its 2026 budget. Patricia Hutchinson, a civil design engineer with Merrick and Co., who is acting as the Loop’s workflow manager and coordinating the work being done by the consulting and engineering companies contributing to the project, gave the board an update. The board heard a financial report from board President Jessie Shaffer, who stood in for Corben Fromm, the Loop’s accountant. Nicole Peykov, the Loop’s attorney, helped the board address three minor issues with procedures, contracts, and agreements. The meeting ended with an executive session.

2025 budget reviewed; 2026 budget adopted

Shaffer told the board that its 2025 budget requires no amendments, so there was no need to consider the resolution to amend it.

He opened a public hearing on the proposed 2026 budget. Shaffer said the budget anticipated $4.86 million in revenue, including $2.4 million from the American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA), and contributions paid by the participating water districts, and expenditures totaling $4.9 million, mostly for professional fees. The 2026 budget was based on bringing the Loop’s design work on water treatment, conveyance, and reservoir expansion to 60% completion. Shaffer said he expected the project to have about $350,000 in the bank at the end of 2026.

There were no comments from the public, and Shaffer closed the hearing. The board voted unanimously to approve a resolution authorizing the 2026 budget and appropriating the necessary funds.

Merrick update

Hutchinson told the board that CDM Smith, the engineering company that was awarded the contract to expand the Calhan Reservoir to accommodate the additional water generated by the Loop’s reuse design, had held a check-in meeting the previous day and expected to have its design completed by Feb. 13, 2026.

Hutchinson said Burns & McDonnell projected its design work on the pumps and pipelines would be complete in February. It was currently working on the northern portion of the system, choosing sites, doing title work, and talking to owners.

Hutchinson said the design for the advanced water treatment facility, which is also being done by Burns & McDonnell, would have a package for the Loop board to review on Friday, Nov. 21. A final workshop on the topic was scheduled for Dec. 4.

Financial report

Shaffer told the board that invoices totaling $228,000 had been received in October. The invoices were from engineering companies, with Burns & McDonnell being the primary service provider.

He noted that after payment of the invoices, the Loop would have $57,000 in the bank. The cash crunch resulted from the El Paso Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) taking much longer than expected to reimburse the Loop for its expenses from the American Recovery Plan Act funds that the BOCC administers.

The board approved payment of the invoices.

Peykov asked the board to approve an Annual Administrative Matters Resolution for 2026 that authorizes the board’s actions, schedules officers, and ensures statutory compliance. There were no changes from the previous year’s resolution, Peykov said. The board voted unanimously to approve the resolution.

Peykov also presented minor changes to the Loop’s contract with Merrick & Co. and Spencer Fane LLC. These were approved by the board.

Executive session

An executive session was held for the board to receive legal advice regarding its negotiations related to financing the project, including a possible public-private partnership proposal. No actions were taken following the executive session.

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The next regular meeting is scheduled for Dec. 18 at 9 a.m. Regular meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month at 9 a.m. at the Monument Town Hall at 645 Beacon Lite Road. Please see loopwater.org or call 719-488-3603 to verify meeting times and locations.

James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me.

Other El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority articles

Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District, Oct. 13 – Schedule set for 2026 budget

By James Howald

In October, the Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District (WWSD) board decided on the process and schedule it would use to complete its 2026 budget. It heard operational and financial reports from District Manager Jessie Shaffer, board Treasurer Dana Franzen, Operations Superintendent Dan LaFontaine and District Engineer Cydney Saelens. The meeting ended with an executive session.

2026 budget workshop, hearing and vote scheduled

Shaffer asked the board to schedule a workshop on the 2026 budget for Oct. 23. Board President Brian Bush said that most line-items in the budget don’t change from year to year, so the board’s past approach has been to concentrate on just a few items of importance and discuss them in depth. He asked the board members to read the draft budget before the workshop and bring their questions. The board scheduled the workshop as Shaffer recommended.

Shaffer asked the board to schedule public hearings on the budget and on possible rate increases at its meeting in November, and to hold a vote on the completed budget and rates at its December meeting. To comply with deadlines set by the state, the board rescheduled its November meeting to Monday, Nov. 17, at 1 p.m. and its December meeting to Monday, Dec. 15, at 1 p.m.

Financial and operational reports

In his review of September’s finances, Franzen noted that receivables were down, but everything else was as expected. He said a software problem that caused liabilities to show $42,000 higher than they should be had been fixed.

Franzen commented that supplemental water sales were much lower in the last three months than in the previous five months. Shaffer said those sales are “wildly volatile.” Bush said tap fees for the year were lower than expected, but that was offset by less spending on construction.

Shaffer reported on the Joint Use Committee, which manages the operations of the Tri-Lakes Waste Water Treatment Facility, which WWSD operates with the Towns of Monument and Palmer Lake, noting that he had just received its proposed budget for 2026 and would provide feedback.

LaFontaine updated the board on operations of the Chilcott Ditch Co. The Chilcott Ditch conveys water from Fountain Creek to the Calhan Reservoir and provides irrigation water to the shareholders in the company. WWSD is the largest shareholder. The Chilcott Ditch will play a role in the Loop water re-use project. LaFontaine said he anticipated shutting down the ditch for the winter by October’s end.

In his Manager’s Report, Shaffer noted that the Pikes Peak Regional Water Authority is moving forward with a study of Indirect Potable Reuse (IPR), an approach to water management in which treated effluent is returned to customers after having been discharged into rivers or streams after treatment. (The Loop is an example of applied IPR.) Shaffer said the study could guide Colorado Springs Utilities’ approach to this technology. Bush pointed out that the study is on a 10- to 20-year timeline—much longer-term than the Loop.

In his Water Report, LaFontaine noted a low water loss of 3% for the previous month. He said the measurement was complicated by the fact that one water tank was being filled and another being emptied while the measurements were being collected. He said many of the wells in the northern part of the district were offline in September to allow aquifers to rest.

Regarding Woodmoor Lake, La Fontaine said about 400,000 gallons of water per day were going into the lake from Monument Creek, and he expected the lake to be filled by spring of next year. The lake is still recovering from having been entirely drained four years ago so that repairs could be made to the dam, and so water from the lake could be delivered to both of the district’s water treatment plants.

In her Engineer’s Report, Saelens said most of the equipment had been moved off the Well 12R site in the South Preserve. Erosion control and site piping are underway. She said the site should be restored by spring.

Saelens updated the board on the project to proactively replace saddles, which connect residential service lines to main lines. She said two crews were replacing saddles and 70 have been replaced so far. LaFontaine commented that many of the saddles are 40 years old and so badly degraded that they are only being held in place by the soil.

Saelens said the Monument Ridge East development, east of I-25 and south of County Line Road, was moving forward with its first filing for 37 single-family residences.

Executive session

The meeting ended with an executive session for the board to receive legal counsel regarding potential agreements with the Loop Water Authority and Tallgrass Colorado Municipal Water LLC and Atlantica Sustainable Infrastructure. No action was taken following the executive session.

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The next meeting is on Nov. 17 at 1 p.m. Meetings are usually held on the second Monday of each month at 1 p.m. at the district office at 1845 Woodmoor Drive. Please see www.woodmoorwater.com or call 719-488-2525 to verify meeting times and locations.

James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me.

Other Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District articles

Monument Sanitation District, Oct. 15 – Draft of 2026 budget reviewed

By Jackie Burhans and James Howald

The Monument Sanitation District (MSD) board met in October to review a draft of its 2026 budget. It also voted on a resolution authorizing the El Paso County treasurer to collect MSD’s delinquent accounts. District Manager Mark Parker updated the board on the work that the county has planned for Beacon Lite Road.

Budget process begins

Parker presented the board with a draft of the district’s 2026 budget. He focused on the differences with the 2025 budget, noting:

  • A change in janitorial companies led to a reduction of a few hundred dollars in that line item to $3,500.
  • Parker used a Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) of 2.7% to calculate wage increases. Money for merit raises was included.

Director Shannon Clark noted that the previous year’s budget included two rounds of PFAS testing that had been budgeted but not performed. PFAS chemicals are sometimes referred to as “forever chemicals” because they break down very slowly. They are associated with many health issues, such as increased risk of kidney cancer.

Parker said the 2026 budget anticipated lower revenue from tap fees due to some building projects being delayed. He said he estimated expenses high and income low to avoid amending the proposed budget.

Clark noted a decrease in postal costs due to the district’s successful implementation of online billing. Parker added that office supplies were reduced by half in the 2026 budget for the same reason.

Parker told the board a final version of the budget would be available to vote on at its December meeting.

Delinquent accounts go to treasurer for collection

The board voted unanimously to approve Resolution 10152025-1, which authorizes the county treasurer to collect MSD’s delinquent accounts as part of its collection of property taxes. The cost of collection will be added to the amount due.

Parker estimated there are 22 delinquent accounts.

Beacon Lite Road work begins

Parker told the board that regular meetings on Beacon Lite Road work had begun, with participation by MSD, the county, engineering firm Kimley Horn, and the Town of Monument. GMS Inc., MSD’s consulting engineers, will also attend the meetings, Parker said, to ensure the changes meet MSD’s requirements

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Monument Sanitation District meetings are held at 9 a.m. on the third Wednesday of the month in the district conference room at 130 Second St., Monument. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Nov.19. See MonumentSanitationDistrict.org. For a district service map, see www.MonumentSanitationDistrict.org/district-map. For information: 719-481-4886.

Jackie Burhans can be reached at jackieburhans@ocn.me. James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me.

Other Monument Sanitation District articles

Donala Water and Sanitation District, Oct. 9 – 2026 budget planning

By James Howald and Jackie Burhans

The Donala Water and Sanitation District (DWSD) board met in October to hear more on the proposed 2026 budget from Acting General Manager Christina Hawker. Hawker also covered the district’s finances for September. The board voted to give a paid day off to staff who participated in the district’s open house on Sept. 25. The board heard operational reports and ended with four executive sessions, each of which was held separately because each required different attendees.

Proposed 2026 budget

Hawker gave the board a high-level summary of the proposed 2026 budget that she first presented at the September board meeting. The proposed budget puts operating revenue at $6.8 million and estimates water sales will be 5% lower than in 2025. $4 million in non-operating revenue is anticipated, including tap fees from the Urban Landing development and 50 homes that will be built near the Big R Store proposed site just north of the intersection of Spanish Bit Drive and Struthers Road. Hawker estimated total revenue at just over $11 million, factoring in a 5% rate increase for water and sewer service.

On the expense side, Hawker estimated operating expenses would be 5.4% higher than in 2025 due to increased electrical costs and general inflation. She said she had budgeted for DWSD to receive its full allotment of water from Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU), even though it typically does not use that entire amount.

General and administrative expenses will increase by 4%, driven by a 17% increase in health and commercial insurance and a 3.5% increase in salary and wages.

The proposed budget includes $1.6 million in capital costs for projects like the Loop, water tank rehabilitation, Well 9A, sewer system inspections, and securing the district’s Laughlin water rights. She estimated total expenses would be $9 million, and the proposed budget would increase the district’s reserves for future projects.

Hawker said the board could discuss changes to the proposed budget at its meeting in November. The board’s December meeting has been rescheduled to the 9th so that the board can have a final vote on the budget before Dec. 15, when the district must submit the final version of the budget to the state.

Financial report

In her financial report, Hawker said revenue from water sales was “a little short.” The district is within 26% of meeting its revenue goals for the year. 52% remains on expenses, she said, adding she expects a larger bill from CSU in coming months because the district opened its water connection with CSU in September. There were no large unanticipated expenses in September, she said.

Open house a success

Hawker said the open house DWSD held for its customers in September was successful; customers liked learning about the district’s operations and meeting staff. She said 72% of the attendees who took a survey to determine how they wanted to receive information from the district preferred email, 23% wanted a newsletter, and only 4% wanted the district to communicate through social media.

Hawker commended Helen Malenda-Lawrence of LRE Water for her hands-on presentation regarding well field management.

As a gesture of appreciation to the DWSD staff who helped with the open house, Hawker proposed they receive a paid day off. The board agreed to Hawker’s suggestion.

Operational reports

In her acting general manager’s report, Hawker discussed a court case that Parker Water & Sanitation District had taken first to the Water Division 1 court and then to the Supreme Court of Colorado. Both courts upheld the decision of the state engineer that the statewide non-tributary groundwater rules impose a total volumetric limit on groundwater withdrawals over the lifetime of the well permit, and the state engineer can specify that limit in well permits. The decision imposes new record-keeping requirements on water districts to document they are not exceeding their water withdrawal limits.

Hawker said LRE Water has been monitoring the case for DWSD and has advised the district that its current record-keeping and accounting practices mean DWSD should not have negative consequences from this ruling.

Matt Poznanovic, of Hayes Poznanovic Korver LLC, the district’s water attorney, said DWSD was well-positioned because it has strong data regarding well production.

Hawker asked the board for direction regarding access to the district’s Willow Creek Ranch property near Leadville. She said neighbors had recently requested access to the property so that they could walk to the adjoining national forest to go hunting, and that had been allowed in the past. She said the neighbors provided eyes and ears on the ranch, which is remote. She noted the district had some risks regarding liability to consider before granting access.

Board President Wayne Vanderschuere proposed requiring a liability waiver from anyone accessing the ranch, to include prohibitions on fires and shooting. He said the board wanted to maintain the ranch in its current pristine condition. He asked Hawker to prepare a liability waiver and bring it to the board at a future meeting.

Executive sessions

Following its regular meeting, the board held four executive sessions. Each was a separate item on the agenda and was attended by varying staff and consultants.

The first session was to confer with counsel regarding the Intergovernmental Agreement concerning the Upper Monument Creek Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility. It was attended by Directors Kevin Deardorff, Bill George, Ken Judd, Scott McCulloch, and Vanderschuere. Hawker, Poznanovic, and Roger Sams of GMS Inc. also attended.

The second was to receive legal advice on workplace complaints. It was attended by the board members and attorneys Dakota Spence and Linda Glesne.

The third session was to receive legal advice regarding the district’s water court application in Case No. 24CW3019. It was attended by the board members, Hawker, Poznanovic, and Brett Gracely, a water planning practice leader at Plummer.

The last executive session was held to determine negotiating positions concerning potential agreements with The Loop Water Authority and Cherokee Metropolitan District.

No actions were taken following the executive sessions.

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The next board meeting is on Thursday, Nov. 20, at 1:30 p.m. Generally, board meetings are held on the third Thursday of the month at 1:30 p.m. and include online access; call (719) 488-3603 or access www.donalawater.org to receive up-to-date meeting information. The district office is located at 15850 Holbein Drive, Colorado Springs.

James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me. Jackie Burhans can be reached at jackieburhans@ocn.me.

Other Donala Water and Sanitation District articles

Triview Metropolitan District, Oct. 16 – Proposed 2026 budget presented

By Natalie Barszcz

At the Triview Metropolitan District (TMD) meeting on Oct. 16, the board received the proposed 2026 budget that includes an increase in water volume for delivery through the Northern Delivery System (NDS). There is a potential for a small increase in water and wastewater fees in 2026. The board heard about the additional revenue received from tap fees, the efforts to resolve the accuracy of wastewater flows and the accounting of unsold produced water, and the hiring of a Public Works inspector/project manager.

The board held an executive session to discuss the purchase and sale of water and land, and agreements with the Town of Monument (TOM) and other governmental, private, and associated entities.

Secretary/Treasurer Amanda Carlton was excused.

President Jason Gross did not attend.

2026 proposed budget

District Manager James McGrady presented the proposed 2026 budget and highlighted the following:

  • 1,000 acre-feet of the district’s water will be budgeted for delivery via the NDS at $9.99 per 1,000 gallons (the district budgeted 700 acre-feet in 2025 for Colorado Springs Utilities to convey, treat, and deliver at $9.34 per 1,000 gallons).
  • $250,000 will be budgeted for the district administration/utility office building (the district is using a 10-year loan with a fixed 4.75% interest rate. The loan may be paid off early.
  • The mill levy is proposed to remain at 21 mills for the main district debt service.
  • A small increase in the water and wastewater rates may be necessary in 2026 to keep up with inflation.
  • The district plans to update the Kitchener Way playground with an accessible design to include activities for children on the autism spectrum.

Director John Gibbons stated he had reviewed all of the fund balance sheets and confirmed the district has a workable budget.

The public hearing for the proposed 2026 budget is scheduled for the Dec. 11 board meeting.

Note: The September financial report was included as part of the proposed 2026 budget. Board financial reports are available at https://triviewmetro.com.

Tap fee update

District Administrator Sara Lamb said that year to date, the district had received 75 taps generating almost $4 million in revenue.

Vice President Ann Marie Jojola said tap fee income will eventually go away for residential property.

McGrady said the district anticipates several years of residential tap fee collection with about 85 taps expected in 2026, but tap fees for future commercial properties will continue after residential buildout is completed. The warehouse-type properties have a single tap and generate high revenue property tax using little water compared to multi-family apartment properties. The district is expecting to finalize about 12 taps for the apartment complex planned south of Higby Road before the end of the year, bringing the total revenue to about $4.5 million, said McGrady.

Higby Road project bank accounts

Lamb thanked the board directors for approving two new bank accounts for the Higby Road project.

McGrady said the two new bank accounts, titled Higby Road Project and Developer Agreement Fund, will provide transparency for billing purposes during the project and avoid any co-mingling of funds with the General Operations Fund. About $500,000 in developer fees have already been collected, and using the voter-approved $12.6 million bond funding at 5.05% interest, Kiewit will be paid from the new accounts.

Note: The $12.6 million bond was voter-approved on May 6 with 344 votes for and 230 votes against. For additional information about the project and updates, visit https://triviewhigbyroad.com.

Water operations update

Water Treatment Superintendent Gary Potter said Well A7 and Well D7 need to be rehabilitated with new pumps in 2026, and costs will be included in the 2026 budget. The district will need the wells online to supplement the district’s NDS water if 2026 is a dry year. The NDS produced 52% of the district’s water in September, said Potter.

McGrady said the district needed to supplement the NDS water with pumped well water to have enough of the allocated 700 acre-feet available for the remainder of the year.

Potter said issues continue with the reading accuracy of the flow-measuring equipment at the Upper Monument Creek Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility. A technician recently recalibrated the equipment, and after a couple of weeks of data, the district will decide how to proceed.

The district produced 40.272 million gallons in the Sept. billing cycle and sold 37.567 million gallons to customers, leaving 2.628 million gallons of non-revenue water. The staff is trying to determine if the loss is an apparent loss or a real loss and is testing meters and installing new meters to verify accuracy. The district is also analyzing billing data to find and correct anomalies, and several irrigation meters were found to be severely under-registering water usage, said Potter.

AmCobi (third party billing)

Lamb said the administrative staff had its annual meeting with American Conservation & Billing Solutions (AmCobi, the district’s third-party water/wastewater billing service) to discuss a clear vision regarding customer service goals, finding strengths and weaknesses in billing. A decision to meet quarterly to focus on a more collaborative process in shared responsibilities was made.

Gibbons said that he usually receives his monthly bill with only two days before the due date and his bank locks out the due date via electronic payment, resulting in a late payment.

Lamb thanked Gibbons for the feedback.

Assistant manager’s update

Assistant Manager Steve Sheffield said the district hired Tom Martinez for the position of Public Works inspector/project manager in October.

Executive session

The board moved into executive session at about 8:25 p.m. to receive legal advice pursuant to CRS section 24-6-402(4)(b), as it relates to water matters and agreements with the TOM and other governmental entities.

Sheffield confirmed to this reporter that no action was taken when the board returned to the regular session.

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Meetings are usually held on the third Thursday of the month at the district office at 16055 Old Forest Point, Suite 302. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Nov. 20 at 5:30 p.m. For meeting agendas, minutes, and updates, visit https://triviewmetro.com.

Natalie Barszcz can be reached at nataliebarszcz@ocn.me.

Other Triview Metropolitan District articles

El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority, Oct. 15 – Board of County Commissioners slow to reimburse

By James Howald

At a brief meeting in October, the El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority (EPCRLWA, or the Loop) board heard a financial report from Corben Fromm of Fromm and Co. LLC. Patricia Hutchinson, a civil design engineer with Merrick and Co. who is acting as the Loop’s workflow manager and coordinating the work being done by the consulting and engineering companies contributing to the project, gave the board an update. The meeting ended with an executive session.

Financial report

Fromm told the board that invoices totaling $253,157 had been received in September. The invoices were from engineering companies, his company, and the SpencerFane law firm, which serves as the Loop’s attorney. The board approved payment of the invoices.

In his financial statement, Fromm said the El Paso Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) had not yet reimbursed the Loop for its Q1 and Q2 expenses. The Loop received $4 million in startup funding from President Biden’s American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA). The Loop’s expenses are reimbursed by the BOCC from those ARPA funds, which are administered by the BOCC. Fromm said the BOCC is making its final review of the Loop’s expenses for Q1 and Q2. Board President Jessie Shaffer said the Loop’s finances “will be lean” until the BOCC completes its review and reimburses the Loop for the money it has spent.

Fromm said the Loop had spent 12% of its budget for the year and was currently spending about $250,000 per month. Shaffer recommended invoicing the three participating water districts—Donala Water and Sanitation District, the Town of Monument, and Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District—for $200,000 each to cover their financial obligations to the project. The board voted unanimously to authorize Fromm to send those invoices.

Workflow update

Hutchinson told the board that Western States Land Services LLC was doing the final title work on two large portions of the easements required to accommodate the pipelines that are needed to convey water from the Calhan Reservoir to customers in the participating water districts. She said she was discussing access to the north side of Higby Road with the Triview Metropolitan District and the Lewis-Palmer School District. The water treatment plant design team at Burns & McDonnell was working through design issues, she said. A special meeting to discuss pipelines was scheduled for Oct. 30, she said, and would be announced on the Loop’s webpage at https://loopwater.org.

Executive session

An executive session was held for the board to receive legal advice regarding its negotiations to purchase the Sundance Pipeline from the Cherokee Metropolitan District and on land acquisition, project financing, and project development. No actions were taken following the executive session.

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The next regular meeting is scheduled for Nov. 20 at 9 a.m. Regular meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month at 9 a.m. at the Monument Town Hall at 645 Beacon Lite Road. Please see loopwater.org or call 719-488-3603 to verify meeting times and locations.

James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me.

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Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District, Sept. 8 – Board plans for Accessory Dwelling Units

By James Howald

At its September meeting, the Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District (WWSD) board began planning how to integrate Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) into its existing policies, specifications, and procedures. The board also heard financial and operational reports. District Manager Jessie Shaffer told the board that he, in consultation with the office staff, had decided to continue with Xpress Bill Pay as the district’s online billing provider. The meeting ended with an executive session.

ADUs present challenges

District Manager Jessie Shaffer told the board that he, District Engineer Cydney Saelens, and Operations Superintendent Dan LaFontaine had discussed the many issues raised by ADUs and had decided to come to the board for direction.

Shaffer said he had received two requests from district residents for approval to move forward with construction of ADUs. An ADU is a secondary housing unit on a single-family residential lot that does not require subdivision. They are also called guest houses, granny flats, mother-in-law suites, and backyard cottages, Shaffer said. They may be attached, detached, or integrated, Shaffer said. Integrated ADUs use basements or upper floors as the secondary unit.

Last year, the Colorado Legislature passed House Bill 24-1152, Shaffer said, which requires certain land use jurisdictions to allow ADUs. The law says jurisdictions can’t regulate parking or require the primary unit to be occupied by the owner. The law, which went into effect June 30, also prevents the unreasonable restriction of ADUs, he said.

Shaffer pointed out that WWSD’s existing regulations do not define or provide guidance regarding ADUs. He listed several questions and concerns, including:

  • Must ADUs have their own water and sewer taps, and require the payment of tap fees?
  • People are trying to figure out how to get an ADU approved without paying additional fees.
  • “Daisy-chaining” of service lines—essentially adding the ADU to the existing service lines—raises concerns about water pressure and sewer flow.
  • El Paso County mandates that ADUs not have separate metering.

Shaffer said WWSD needed to update its rules and regulations to include a clear definition of an ADU. He opened a discussion with the board concerning tap fees, service line sizes, and several other technical aspects.

Following a lengthy discussion, Shaffer summarized the direction of the board as follows:

  • ADUs cannot buy separate taps; they must use a “daisy-chain configuration.”
  • Water lines must be upgraded from ¾-inch lines to 1-inch lines, and the ADU owner must pay the differential costs arising from the larger service line.
  • ADUs will not require an increase in sewer fees.
  • ADUs will not pay an additional Renewable Water Infrastructure Fee.
  • The volume tiers for ADUs will not change.
  • Separate billing will not be allowed.

Board President Brian Bush said he thought interest in ADUs would diminish once the costs were understood.

Financial and operational reports

Director Roy Martinez gave the board a financial report in place of board Treasurer Dana Franzen, who was excused from the meeting. Martinez said the district’s finances are “on track overall.” Bush commented that revenue from water sales was lower than expected, but the water level in Woodmoor Lake was higher than expected.

The board voted unanimously to accept Martinez’s report.

In his operations report, LaFontaine noted that water usage in August was up over July, but still less than normal. Reduced usage contributed to the fact that the water level in the lake was seven feet higher than expected.

In her Engineering report, Saelens updated the board on work being done on two water storage tanks. Preload, which is constructing a new concrete water tank, has finished construction and planned to start coating the tank on Sept. 15. Coblaco, the company hired to recoat the existing storage tank, was scheduled to begin its work on Sept. 22.

District to remain with Xpress Bill Pay

Shaffer told the board that Xpress Bill Pay had fixed its problems with billing errors, and he and Office Manager Cory Lynch recommended remaining with that vendor instead of transitioning to Cassell.

Executive session

The meeting ended with an executive session for the board to receive legal counsel regarding potential agreements with the Loop Water Authority and Tallgrass Colorado Municipal Water LLC. No action was taken following the executive session.

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The next meeting is on Oct. 13 at 1 p.m. Meetings are usually held on the second Monday of each month at 1 p.m. at the district office at 1845 Woodmoor Drive. Please see www.woodmoorwater.com or call 719-488-2525 to verify meeting times and locations.

James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me.

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Monument Sanitation District, Sept. 17 – Beacon Lite Road due for upgrades

By Jackie Burhans and James Howald

At a brief meeting in September, the Monument Sanitation District (MSD) board heard an operational report from District Manager Mark Parker that focused on the work that El Paso County has planned for Beacon Lite Road. The board also discussed the process for developing a budget for 2026.

County plans to level and straighten road

Parker told the board that El Paso County was pressing ahead with plans to level Beacon Lite Road, straighten it, and add curbs and gutters. The county’s current focus was on planning the changes required to utilities. Parker said there had been several meetings with the county, and its construction plans are 90% complete. MSD’s portion of the project, which lies between Wakonda Way North and County Line Road, was being worked on by GMS Inc., Parker said.

Parker said the sewer service portion of the project depends on whether the Buc-ee’s travel center is built, because Buc-ee’s would have to pay for any required improvements. If the travel center is not built, then any other development at the site would have to bear the expense of digging up a new road.

Budget process begins

Parker told the board that he had a draft of the 2026 budget but was waiting for some final numbers from the Tri-Lakes Wastewater Treatment Facility. He said he was on track to have the budget prepared for discussion at the end of the year.

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Monument Sanitation District meetings are held at 9 a.m. on the third Wednesday of the month in the district conference room at 130 Second St., Monument. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Oct 15. See MonumentSanitationDistrict.org. For a district service map, see www.MonumentSanitationDistrict.org/district-map. For information: 719-481-4886.

Jackie Burhans can be reached at jackieburhans@ocn.me. James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me.

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Triview Metropolitan District, Sept. 18 – Road enhancement project delayed

By Natalie Barszcz

The Triview Metropolitan District (TMD) meeting on Sept. 18 began several minutes before the scheduled time. The board heard the Higby Road project had been delayed until early October. The board president requested that the staff provide a fire mitigation plan for areas around Sanctuary Pointe, heard about a beautification and safety plan for the drainage area north of Strata Drive in Home Place Ranch, and asked that residents be provided with a trail map of the district.

The board held an executive session to discuss the purchase and sale of water and land and agreements with the Town of Monument (TOM) and other governmental, private, and associated entities.

Secretary/Treasurer Amanda Carlton was excused.

Note: This reporter attended via Zoom, but sound issues occurred throughout the meeting.

Meeting began earlier than scheduled

The meeting was called to order before the designated 5:30 p.m. scheduled start of the meeting. Board President Jason Gross requested approval of item 4, the meeting agenda, at 5:28 p.m.

Note: In Colorado, a special district meeting called to order earlier than the publicly announced time defeats the purpose of the public notice requirements.

Financial report

Director John Gibbons had many comments and questions regarding the financial reports, and he requested the financial report pages indicate the year-to-date actual month for whatever month the report represents. He said the requested changes were made in August but had not been made in time for the September meeting. He requested the changes be made before the October meeting.

Note: This reporter has not received a financial report from TMD for the past several months. The board financial reports are available up to May 31, 2025 at https://triviewmetro.com.

In a 4-0 vote, the board accepted the financial report and the checks over $5,000.

Higby Road project update

District Manager James McGrady said Kiewit had anticipated beginning the Higby Road project in early September, but after discovering the utility pipes were buried at different levels, the widening/enhancement project will begin in early October. For additional information about the project, visit https://triviewhigbyroad.com.

Water operations update

Water Treatment Superintendent Gary Potter said Well A7 was underproducing at 60 gallons per minute and usually produces 200 gallons per minute. He proposed the pump be replaced in 2026. Taking Well A7 offline does not limit the district because of the arrival of cooler weather. The well is located at B Plant alongside another well that is offline. The repairs for both will be discussed during the budget process. He said it is good to ensure the wells are able to pump when needed to supplement the district’s water conveyed through the Northern Delivery System (NDS) via Colorado Springs Utilities. The district will be back to delivering 95% of the district’s water through the NDS for the winter, said Potter.

Water quality testing

Assistant Manager Steve Sheffield said the fourth set of water quality samples at the Stonewall Springs Reservoir Complex were taken in September. The water quality testing of five sets of water samples is required by the state Division of Mining, Reclamation Safety before a permit can be issued for the district to construct a slurry wall for the Central Reservoir.

Director requests

Gross requested the district pursue the following:

  • A fire mitigation plan for the entire district to eliminate excess brush and the potential for wildland fire. He requested the staff present a formal plan by July 2026 to share with Homeowners Associations.
  • Develop a plan for the Home Place Ranch retaining pond to avoid a massive eyesore and the potential for a liability issue.
  • A map showing all of the official trails in the district, potentially closing unmaintained trails, and hiring a trained staff member to build trails with erosion control and trail maintenance knowledge. Documenting the trails on a map to show who maintains the trails and noting the mileage and the elevation changes. When loaded on the website, it will benefit the residents.

McGrady said the following:

  • The Fire Department has assessed areas in the past. Some HOAs have already held chipping days and become Firewise neighborhoods.
  • Due to safety issues, something may need to be done ahead of build-out, but Home Place Ranch will likely need to reach build-out before the detention pond area can be completed because the area has its own sub-district. It could take time to complete since only 50 homes have sold, sales have slowed, and about 300 homes are planned.
  • The district has documented the trails it is responsible for maintaining, and a base map exists. Some of the trails in Sanctuary Pointe were built by the developers, some belong to El Paso County, and others in that area are unofficial single-track hiking trails that are steep and difficult to maintain. The district staff will need to walk the trails to document the distances, and during slow periods crews can provide maintenance.

Executive session

The board moved into executive session at about 8:25 p.m., to receive legal advice pursuant to CRS section 24-6-402(4)(b), as it relates to water matters and agreements with the TOM, and other governmental entities.

Sheffield confirmed to this reporter that no action was taken when the board returned to the regular session. The meeting adjourned at 9:35 p.m.

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Meetings are usually held on the third Thursday of the month at the district office located at 16055 Old Forest Point, Suite 302. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Oct. 16 at 5:30 p.m. For meeting agendas, minutes, and updates, visit https://triviewmetro.com.

Natalie Barszcz can be reached at nataliebarszcz@ocn.me.

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Donala Water and Sanitation District, Sept. 11 – 2026 budget planning kicks off

By James Howald and Jackie Burhans

At its September meeting, the Donala Water and Sanitation District (DWSD) board heard a financial report and a presentation on the 2026 budget from Acting General Manager Christina Hawker. The board heard operational reports from district staff. The meeting ended with an executive session

Financial report

Hawker told the board the district would not reach its budgeted water sales for the year unless September and October were warmer and drier than usual instead of cooler and wetter. Expenditures are also under budgeted amounts, she said. The Upper Monument Creek Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility (UMCRWWTF) was “spot on” with 32% of its budget remaining.

She noted larger expenses for water tank rehabilitation, the Well 7D redrill, and water storage in the Pueblo Reservoir.

The board voted unanimously to accept the financial report.

Budget highlights

In her preview of the 2026 budget, Hawker noted inflation factors including:

  • Tariffs are contributing to the rise in health insurance premiums, primarily due to increased costs for imported medications. She anticipated a 17% increase in insurance costs.
  • Building and automotive insurance costs are rising because of tariffs on lumber, steel, and aluminum. She expects those costs to increase 8% to 25%.
  • The cost of chemicals will increase by 4%.
  • Salary and wage increases are projected to be 3.5%, which is in line with the utility industry across the board.
  • DWSD’s payment to Colorado Springs Utilities to convey, treat, and deliver its Willow Creek Ranch water to DWSD customers is expected to rise by 6.5%.
  • Electricity costs for the second half of 2026 are predicted to increase by 9%.
  • In her cost-of-service review, Hawker discussed three scenarios:
  • Scenario 1, in which the R. Hull Plant is rehabilitated, the Aquifer Storage and Retrieval (ASR) pilot project is fully funded, and water and sewer rates are increased by 5% annually from 2025 to 2033. This scenario has a total capital improvement cost of $17.87 million.
  • Scenario 2, in which the ASR pilot is fully funded, the Loop water reuse project annual payments are made, $2.8 million is spent on well rehabilitation, and rates are increased by 5% from 2025 to 2033. This scenario has a total capital improvement cost of $23.6 million.
  • Scenario 3, in which only the 5% rate increases are put in place. Hawker did not give a total capital improvement cost for this scenario.

Hawker reviewed DWSD’s reserve fund balances:

  • The Bond Reserve balance is $1.25 million.
  • The Capital Reserve balance is $3.7 million.
  • The Operating Reserve balance is $3.2 million.
  • The Strategic Planning Reserve is $3.9 million.
  • Total reserves are $12.1 million.

Hawker listed the costs of six capital projects to be addressed in 2026:

  • Latrobe tank rehabilitation: $500,000.
  • Camera inspection of sewer system: $296,000.
  • Well 9A maintenance: $350,000.
  • Cost analysis for the R. Hull Treatment Plant: $119,000.
  • Laughlin water rights legal work: $73,535.
  • Total costs: $1.6 million.

Operational reports

In her Acting General Manager’s report, Hawker noted that the board of the Loop water reuse project had agreed to move ahead with its discussion of a public-private partnership agreement with Tallgrass Water. Public-private partnership agreements often involve the private party providing the funds to build a project and then receiving reimbursement, plus interest, from the operating revenue.

Hawker also gave the board an update on the open house the district held on Sept. 25 at the district’s offices at 15850 Holbein Dr., adjacent to the newly redrilled Well 7D. Attendees saw highlights of the district’s 2025 projects and met district staff. She said 100 people had RSVPed for the event. See the snapshots section on page < 21 >.

In his water report, Superintendent of Water Operations Ronny Wright told the board that the recoating of the West Tank was almost complete, with only paint touchups, washing and disinfection, and a 24-hour rest period yet to be completed.

Waste Plant Operator Aaron Tolman told the board that all wastewater measurements were well within limits. He commented on district staff encountering people camping under the train trestle bridge near the UMCRWWTF, and said the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office had been contacted.

Executive session

The September meeting ended with an executive session for the board to confer with the district’s attorney on workplace complaints.

After the executive session, the board returned to open session and voted “to reaffirm the President and Vice President’s authority to liaise with General Counsel on legal matters on behalf of the board.”

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The next board meeting is on Thursday, Oct. 16 at 1:30 p.m. Generally, board meetings are held on the third Thursday of the month at 1:30 p.m. and include online access; call (719) 488-3603 or access www.donalawater.org to receive up-to-date meeting information. The district office is located at 15850 Holbein Drive, Colorado Springs.

James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me. Jackie Burhans can be reached at jackieburhans@ocn.me.

Other Donala Water and Sanitation District articles

El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority, Sept. 25 – Contract for reservoir expansion design awarded

By James Howald

At its September meeting, the El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority (EPCRLWA, or the Loop) board awarded a contract to design the expansion of the Calhan Reservoir. Corben Fromm, of Fromm and Co. LLC, reported on the Loop’s finances. Finally, the board decided to discontinue their monthly workshop meetings.

CDM Smith to design reservoir expansion

Patricia Hutchinson, a civil design engineer with Merrick and Co., who is acting as the Loop’s workflow manager and coordinating the work being done by the consulting and engineering companies contributing to the project, told the board that two companies had been interviewed on Oct. 10 for the role of designing the expansion of the Calhan Reservoir, where water diverted from Fountain Creek will be stored before being delivered to customers in the participating water districts. She recommended the board award the contract to CDM Smith, which had proposed to do the design work for $426,000. CDM Smith’s proposal included a geotechnical survey, she said.

Board President Jessie Shaffer moved to award the contract to CDM Smith, and the board voted unanimously in favor.

Financial matters

Fromm told the board that invoices totaling $199,000 had been received in September. The board approved paying the invoices.

In his financial statement, Fromm said his company was waiting to receive reimbursement from the El Paso County Board of Commissioners (EPBOCC) for the Loop’s first-quarter expenses. A reimbursement request for second-quarter expenses had been submitted to the EPBOCC. The Loop had spent 9% of its budget for 2025, Fromm said. Fromm told the board he expected to have a draft of the 2026 budget ready by Oct. 15.

Workshop meetings discontinued

Shaffer asked the board if the monthly work sessions were still needed. Assistant Secretary Dan LaFontaine said there were too many meetings, and some regularly scheduled meetings were less effective because the attendees from the consulting and engineering companies varied from meeting to meeting. The board decided to discontinue the meetings.

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The next regular meeting is scheduled for Oct. 16 at 9 a.m. Regular meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month at 9 a.m. at the Monument Town Hall at 645 Beacon Lite Road. Please see loopwater.org or call 719-488-3603 to verify meeting times and locations.

James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me.

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Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District, Aug. 11 – Water tank recoat contract awarded

By James Howald

At its August meeting, the Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District (WWSD) board heard a summary of the bids to recoat a water storage tank from Richard Hood, a project manager with JVA Consulting Engineers Inc. His presentation was followed by a vote to award the contract. The board got a recommendation to move to a new online billing company from Office Manager Cory Lynch. Finally, the board heard financial and operational reports.

Recoat contract awarded to Coblaco

Hood told the board that the district’s 1-million-gallon steel water storage tank located between Jackboot Way and Caribou Way in south Woodmoor needs to be sandblasted and coated with Sherwin-Williams paint. Corroded joints will need to be rewelded, Hood said.

Hood explained that the schedule for the recoat is critical because it is tied to the construction of a new concrete water storage tank at the same location that will increase the district’s capacity to store water. The concrete tank, which is being built by Preload, must be complete and filled with water before the existing tank can be emptied and recoated. The recoating must be complete before the start of cold weather, Hood said.

Five bids were received. Coblaco submitted the lowest bid, at $336,000; Viking Painting LLC submitted the highest at $1.3 million. Hood recommended awarding the contract to Coblaco. The board voted unanimously to do so.

New online billing provider chosen

At previous meetings, Lynch discussed inaccuracies in bills calculated by Xpress Bill Pay, the district’s online billing provider, and the steps staff were taking to ensure customers receive correct bills. At the August meeting, Lynch recommended the district move to a new provider: Caselle. WWSD is already using Caselle for other services and the company has recently added online bill payment to its portfolio.

District Manager Jessie Shaffer said Caselle charges more for spot Automated Clearing House (ACH) payments than Xpress Bill Pay. ACH payments move money from one bank to another without a physical exchange of currency. He recommended that spot, or on-demand, ACH payments be dropped in favor of ACH payments only on the 20th of each month to keep costs low.

The board had no objections to the transition to Caselle, and Shaffer said he would review the issue with the board when implementation was 30 days away.

Financial and operational reports

In his financial report, board Treasurer Dana Franzen noted Accounts Receivable were high because he was reporting right after bills had been sent but before customers had time to pay their bills. Overall, the district was “on track budget-wise—where we should be,” he said.

The board voted unanimously to accept Franzen’s report.

In his manager’s report, Shaffer gave the board an update on the Loop water re-use project. He said the Loop’s consultants were in full swing on design issues such as the engineering for the advanced water treatment facility, the lift stations, and pipelines. A Request for Proposals to expand the capacity of the Calhan Reservoir would be published in the next few days, Shaffer said.

Negotiations to purchase the Sundance Pipeline from the Cherokee Metropolitan District were underway. Plans for lift stations, pipelines, water treatment and reservoir expansion were 30% complete, Shaffer said. The Loop is still being funded primarily by dollars from the American Recovery Plan Act, he said.

In response to a question from Director Tom Roddam, Shaffer said he expected marketing efforts to educate the public about the project to begin next year.

In his Operations report, Operations Superintendent Dan LaFontaine said the water level in Woodmoor Lake was higher than typical during the summer months and that would make returning the lake to full capacity easier. The Central Water Treatment Plant is currently running entirely on surface water and the Southern Water Treatment Plant is treating groundwater.

In her Engineering report, District Engineer Cydney Saelens told the board that she had sent out the completion certificate for the transmission line for Well 22 that morning. The drilling for Well 12R was complete, the soundwalls were down, and site restoration was underway, Saelens said. She expected Well 12R to be online by the end of the year.

Saddle replacement would require road closures on Sunlight Way and Lions Head Drive, she said, noting the customers on those streets were notified with doorhangers.

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The next meeting is on Sept. 8 at 1 p.m. Meetings are usually held on the second Monday of each month at 1 p.m. at the district office at 1845 Woodmoor Drive. Please see www.woodmoorwater.com or call 719-488-2525 to verify meeting times and locations.

James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me.

Other Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District articles

Donala Water and Sanitation District, Aug. 13, 22 – General manager on administrative leave

By James Howald and Jackie Burhans

The Donala Water and Sanitation District (DWSD) board met twice in August. Its regular meeting on Aug. 14 was followed by a special meeting on Aug. 22. At the regular meeting the board heard operational reports and then adjourned to an executive session. At the special meeting, the board considered and voted on three resolutions relating to complaints about leadership and then adjourned to an executive session.

Operational reports

In his financial report, General Manager Jeff Hodge told the board that water sales stood at 40% of the expected amount due to rainfall. Revenue was still outpacing expenditures, he said, adding “As far as us keeping the lights on, producing water and making payroll, we’re good.” The board voted unanimously to accept the report.

Hodge updated the board on the progress of the Loop, a water re-use project in which DWSD is one of three participating districts. Hodge said the Loop leadership is meeting with the contractors who will be working on the project to discuss procurement of equipment that requires long lead times, such as generators. On the water treatment side, granular activated carbon and ion exchange technologies are being reviewed, with the goal of avoiding two separate sets of disposal requirements. The Loop leadership is also negotiating with the Cherokee Metropolitan District regarding the purchase of that district’s Sundance Pipeline. Hodge said the Loop board is considering a public-private partnership framework for the financing the Loop will require.

Board President Wayne Vanderschuere asked Hodge about any plans to replace Mark Valentine, who had been serving as the Loop’s Workflow Manager until he resigned to take a position with Colorado Springs Utilities. Hodge said Merrick and Co., which contracted with the Loop to provide Valentine, would be bringing on new personnel to replace him.

In his water report, Superintendent of Water Operations Ronny Wright told the board that the district’s Well 7D, adjacent to the DWSD headquarters on Holbein Drive, had completed the drilling phase and was being attached to a raw water line to deliver water to the Holbein treatment facility. He estimated the installation of electrical controls for the well would be completed by Sept. 17.

Wright told the board the rehabilitation of one of the district’s three water storage tanks had encountered some problems. Employees of Viking Painting LLC, the company recoating the tanks, had damaged one of the tanks while pressure-washing it. In addition, application of zinc coating had not been done properly, leading to flaking. Vanderschuere asked if Viking was absorbing the costs to fix these issues, and Wright said it was.

Waste Plant Operator Aaron Tolman reported that all wastewater measurements were in compliance for the month.

Aug. 13 executive session

The Aug. 13 meeting went into executive session to consider three agenda items: to receive legal advice regarding the district’s pending water court case no. 24CW3019, to discuss negotiations regarding infrastructure for the Loop, and to confer with the district’s attorney concerning workplace complaints.

Hodge placed on paid administrative leave

At the Aug. 22 special meeting, the board voted unanimously in favor of three resolutions:

  • Resolution 2025-5, which authorizes paid administrative leave for Hodge and appoints Accounts Receivable Specialist Christina Hawker as acting general manager.
  • Resolution 2025-6, which authorizes an investigation into the district’s workplace culture and complaints about leadership.
  • Resolution 2025-7, which designates Hawker as the district’s representative for decisions required by the district’s intergovernmental agreements.

Following the votes on the resolutions, the board adjourned to an executive session to consider three agenda items: the water court case mentioned above, a customer requesting a waiver from a required wastewater connection, and legal advice about workplace complaints.

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The next board meeting is on Thursday, Sept. 18 at 1:30 p.m. Generally, board meetings are held on the third Thursday of the month at 1:30 p.m. and include online access; call (719) 488-3603 or access www.donalawater.org to receive up-to-date meeting information. The district office is located at 15850 Holbein Drive, Colorado Springs.

James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me. Jackie Burhans can be reached at jackieburhans@ocn.me.

Other Donala Water and Sanitation District articles

Monument Sanitation District, Aug. 20 – Parker explains Buc-ee’s wastewater estimate

By Jackie Burhans and James Howald

At its August meeting, the Monument Sanitation District (MSD) board heard an operational report from District Manager Mark Parker that clarified his previous remarks concerning the impact wastewater from the proposed Buc-ee’s travel center would have on the district.

Buc-ee’s wastewater compared to residential estimate

At the previous board meeting, Parker told the board that the proposed Buc-ee’s travel center was expected to produce about 27,000 gallons of wastewater daily, which would be “a lot less” than the amount generated by the residential development project, named Monument Ridge West, that had been proposed for the site but was abandoned in favor of the travel center. Parker said discussion of the travel center on social media prompted him to provide some detail regarding the calculation that led to his previous remarks.

Parker explained MSD uses the industry standard method to estimate the amount of wastewater a residential development will generate. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) requires all residential development plans to assume each person will generate 75 gallons of wastewater per day. CDPHE also assumes, for planning purposes, each home will have 2.54 residents. Those two assumptions lead to an estimate of 190.5 gallons of wastewater per day from each residence.

Parker said the Monument Ridge West proposal would have built a total of 355 residences: 300 apartments, 30 mixed family units, and 25 single-family homes. Using the estimate of 190.5 gallons of wastewater per day, those residences would have generated just over 67,000 gallons of wastewater daily, Parker said. Based on usage data from existing Buc-ee’s travel centers, the proposed travel center will generate about 27,000 gallons of wastewater daily

Parker emphasized that MSD does not pay any of the costs for new development. Buc-ee’s paid for the engineering study of MSD’s wastewater collection system that was done recently by GMS Engineering Inc., the company MSD selected to do the study, and which it has used many times in the past.

Parker also said that, should the travel center plan go forward, Buc-ee’s would have to pay for a lift station to be built, which Buc-ee’s would operate. The lift station would have to be built to MSD’s standard, he said. In most cases, Parker explained, developers pay for the construction of lift stations, and MSD takes ownership of them when they are complete. In the case of the travel center, the lift station would be owned, operated, and maintained by Buc-ee’s.

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Monument Sanitation District meetings are held at 9 a.m. on the third Wednesday of the month in the district conference room at 130 Second St., Monument. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Sept. 17. See https://MonumentSanitationDistrict.org. For a district service map, see https://MonumentSanitationDistrict.org/district-map. Information: 719-481-4886.

Jackie Burhans can be reached at jackieburhans@ocn.me. James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me.

Other Monument Sanitation District articles

El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority, Aug. 28 – Board considers public-private partnership financing

By James Howald

At the August meeting of the El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority (EPCRLWA, or the Loop), board President Jessie Shaffer amended the agenda to add a discussion of a potential public-private partnership framework that could be used to finance the infrastructure for the water re-use project.

The board heard a progress report from Rebecca Hutchinson, a civil design engineer with Merrick and Co., who is acting as the Loop’s Workflow Manager and coordinating the work being done by the consulting and engineering companies contributing to the project. Corben Fromm, of Fromm and Co. LLC, reported on the Loop’s finances.

Tallgrass Water interested in financing the Loop

Shaffer told the board he had received an indication of interest (IOI) from Tallgrass Water, a Colorado-based company established in 2012, that funds water infrastructure projects.

Tallgrass Water uses a public-private partnership (PPP) approach. PPPs are collaborations between governments and private enterprises in which the private side provides initial funding to build a project in return for a share of the operating revenue from that project.

Shaffer emphasized signing the IOI was not a commitment to Tallgrass Water but was an agreement to negotiate exclusively with that company for a 90-day period to begin when all the Loop’s design work has reached 30% completion. The design work underway includes engineering the water treatment facility, the lift stations, and the pipelines, and expansion of the Calhan Reservoir. Shaffer said discussions had been held with Meridiam and EPCOR, two other companies that provide PPP agreements.

Shaffer recommended approving the IOI, and the board voted unanimously to move forward with Tallgrass Water.

Progress report

Hutchinson told the board that work by Burns & McDonnell on the design of the water treatment facility and the pumps and pipelines was proceeding on schedule, and a tour of a water treatment facility and pump station in Castle Rock had been scheduled for Sept. 4. Alignment of pipelines along Higby Road was being discussed with Mountain View Electric Association, and Western States Land Services LLC will begin discussions with landowners regarding easements for the pipelines in the southern portion of the Loop. Hutchinson said she had scheduled a meeting for Sept. 2 with Cherokee Metropolitan District to discuss the purchase of that district’s Sundance Pipeline. Hutchinson said four companies had responded to the Loop’s Request for Proposal to expand the capacity of the Calhan Reservoir, and two of those companies would be interviewed before making a final decision.

Financial report

Fromm told the board that invoices totaling $94,548 had been received for July, and the board authorized Fromm to pay them. He reported that the Loop had spent 7% of its $5.5 million budget for 2025.

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The next regular meeting is scheduled for Sept. 18 at 9 a.m. Regular meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month at 9 a.m. at the Monument Town Hall at 645 Beacon Lite Road. Workshop meetings are held the first Thursday of each month at 9 a.m. at the Monument Town Hall. Please see loopwater.org or call 719-488-3603 to verify meeting times and locations.

James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me.

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Triview Metropolitan District, Aug. 21 – Traffic analysis results revealed

By Natalie Barszcz

At the Triview Metropolitan District (TMD) meeting on Aug. 21, the board received the results of a recent traffic analysis study, approved pursuing eminent domain to widen a public road should good faith negotiations fail, and a new lease agreement for a wireless company. The board heard that the Higby Road project would begin next month.

The board held an executive session to discuss the purchase and sale of water and land and agreements with the Town of Monument (TOM) and other governmental and private entities and associated entities. The session also discussed the purchase, acquisition, lease, transfer, or sale of real, personal, or other property interests needed by the district, including initiation of eminent domain proceedings.

President Jason Gross was excused.

Traffic analysis study results

Adam Gomez P. E. of Kimley Horn presented the results of the Jackson Creek Parkway (JCP) Traffic Analysis Feasibility Study, and he said the western-most access from the King Soopers parking lot left turn that crosses multiple lanes was included in the study, plus the Lyons Tail exit that also requires the crossing of multiple lanes to travel south on JCP. Gomez recommended:

  • A traffic roundabout (circle) on JCP at Lyons Tail Road to alleviate long wait times and dangerous turns at both left-turn exits.
  • A dedicated right-turn lane bypass from Lyons Tail Road, maintaining the existing crosswalks and foot paths.
  • A right turn only from the King Soopers parking lot.

Gomez said the project is estimated to cost about $4.8 million, but costs could be reduced if the geological technician reveals that the paved areas can be salvaged. The estimate incorporates the potential for cost increases if the project is delayed for a few years and will likely take six to 10 months, but traffic flow can be maintained with a longer construction phase, said Gomez.

District Manager James McGrady said the 2026 budget can include funding for the design of the project and go out for bid in 2026, with the construction phase planned for 2027.

Eminent domain pursued

The board reviewed and considered approval of Resolution 2025-14, a resolution of the board authorizing McGrady to initiate eminent domain proceedings for the acquisition of right of way and real property interests necessary for the widening of public road Blevins Buckle Trail. The widening will include the installation of public utilities, public infrastructure, curb, gutter, and sidewalk, landscaping, and other improvements necessary for the installation of a public road accessing a 30-acre parcel of land known as the Legacy at Jackson Landing, should good faith negotiations fail.

Assistant Manager Steve Sheffield confirmed to this reporter that when the board returned to the regular session, they engaged in discussion before unanimously approving a resolution 4-0, authorizing the district to pursue eminent domain for the land on the south side of Blevins Buckle Trail.

Lease agreement

General Counsel George Rowley requested the board consider approving a structure lease agreement with New Cingular (AT&T) Wireless PCS LLC for the C Plant tank in Sanctuary Pointe. The district receives $1,800 per month with an annual 2% escalator, a benefit for the district. The structures will be color-matched to the tank, said Rowley.

The board approved the structure lease agreement, 4-0.

Higby Road project updates

McGrady said the bonds for the Higby Road project had been completed on July 30, for the voter-approved $12.6 million at an interest rate of 5.05%. Kiewit anticipates construction to begin in early September on the east side of Harness Road, working west installing utilities and storm pipeline for the widening project. For additional information about the project, visit https://triviewmetro.com.

Executive session

The board moved into executive session to discuss the purchase, acquisition, lease, transfer, or sale of real, personal, or other property interests needed by the district, pursuant to Colorado Revised Statutes (CRS) section 24-6-402(a), including initiation of eminent domain proceedings. The board received legal advice pursuant to CRS section 24-6-402(4)(b) as it relates to water matters and agreements with the Town of Monument (TOM) and other governmental entities. The session also determined positions related to matters that may be subject to negotiations as it relates to an agreement with TOM, and acquisition of right of way for street improvements pursuant to CRS, section 24-6-402(4)(e), including initiation of eminent domain proceedings.

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Meetings are usually held on the third Thursday of the month at the district office located at 16055 Old Forest Point, Suite 302. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Sept. 18 at 5:30 p.m. For meeting agendas, minutes, and updates, visit https://triviewmetro.com.

Natalie Barszcz can be reached at nataliebarszcz@ocn.me.

Other Triview Metropolitan District articles

Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District, July 14 – 2025 budget gets midyear tune up

By James Howald

At the July board meeting, District Manager Jessie Shaffer discussed midyear adjustments to the Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District’s (WWSD) 2025 budget. Richard Hood, a project manager with JVA Consulting Engineers, Inc., proposed a less costly approach to a project to update a lift station on Lost Arrowhead Drive. The board heard operational reports, and the meeting ended with an executive session.

Minor changes to 2025 budget

Shaffer told the board that the amount budgeted for construction of facilities was reduced from $3.8 million to $2.6 million due in part to a decision to forgo drilling a new Dawson aquifer well and instead to improve Well 13, which was never fully brought into production. Shaffer said the drilling company damaged the well’s screen, the portion of the well casing that allows water to enter the well, when the well was first drilled. Well 13 was never formally abandoned, however, and in its current state it can produce 30 gallons per minute for less than it would cost to drill a new well. Shaffer said the cost of a new well that was drilled at the Central Water Treatment Plant site was $200,000 less than budgeted.

Shaffer said the renewal and replacement schedule for 2025 included $600,000 for saddle replacements but that amount needed to be increased to $675,000. There were fewer pump failures than expected and that line item was reduced from $325,000 to $260,000. The money budgeted for providing backup power for a lift station needed to be increased from $557,000 to $670,000.

Shaffer determined it was cheaper to buy a used tractor for use at the Woodmoor Ranch than it was to rent one, so $20,000 was moved from the equipment rental line item to the vehicle purchase line item.

Money allocated to professional fees increased because cash flow modeling for the Loop water reuse project was added to the district’s task list.

Shaffer said the 2025 budget anticipated 112 new homes; that number was adjusted down to 70, reducing the revenue expected from water and sewer tap fees.

Alternative found to lift station rehab

Shaffer told the board that bids to update the aging equipment at the Lost Arrowhead lift station came in much higher than expected, prompting the district to consider alternative ways to support the 150 customers who rely on the station. Hood said the bids for that project ranged from $834,000 to $1.15 million.

Hood developed three alternative routes for the wastewater handled by the lift station, all three of which relied on gravity rather than electric pumps and allowed for the elimination of the lift station altogether. Lidar, a laser imaging technology, and a traditional survey showed that one of the three options was best. The preferred option requires an 8-inch pipeline to be drilled using an easement between two houses that would use gravity to convey wastewater from the lift station to an existing lift station on Greenland Forest Rd. Hood estimated the cost of that option to be $645,000.

In response to a question from Board President Brian Bush, Hood said he recommended mothballing the Lost Arrowhead lift station. Shaffer suggested pulling the pumps and electronics and filling it with sand.

Hood said that, in addition to saving operating costs by eliminating a lift station, the proposed solution would solve an existing capacity problem; the Lost Arrowhead lift station is overfilling manholes when operating at peak capacity. That problem would be solved by rerouting the pipeline, according to Hood.

Operations Superintendent Dan LaFontaine pointed out that the Lost Arrowhead lift station was built before the Greenland Preserve subdivision was built.

Board Treasurer Dana Franzen said the proposal would save $200,000 up front and there would be additional savings on operating costs.

The board authorized Shaffer to pursue the solution as proposed by Hood.

Operational reports

In his financial report, Franzen said the district was “on track for almost all revenue items.” The board voted unanimously to accept the report.

In his manager’s report, Shaffer updated the board on the state of the Loop water reuse project. WWSD is one of three districts participating in that effort. He said he expected Burns & McDonnell to have its design for the Loop’s water treatment plant to 30% completion by Halloween and its design for the lift stations and pipeline to 30% completion by Thanksgiving. A Request for Proposal for a plan to enlarge Calhan Reservoir had been published and Shaffer said he expected that design to be 30% complete by the end of the year. Once these plans and designs are 30% complete, a more accurate Opinion of Probable Cost for the entire project will be possible, Shaffer said.

Shaffer also mentioned that the district was considering moving to a different vendor for online billing if Xpress Bill Pay can’t quickly resolve a billing problem reported at the last board meeting. He said office staff manually corrected the billing problem when it occurred so that it doesn’t impact customers.

In his water report, LaFontaine updated the board on his ongoing work to lower the district’s unaccounted for water. Repairing two leaks his team located last month did not reduce the unaccounted-for water as much as he had hoped, LaFontaine said. The district is replacing older saddles, which connect service lines to mainlines, and most of the saddles replaced are found to be leaking, which suggests the water loss may be due to many small leaks rather than a few larger leaks. The rainy weather has kept Lake Woodmoor fuller than expected, he said.

In her report, District Engineer Cydney Saelens noted that Well 12R, being drilled in the Woodmoor Preserve, was nearing completion. She said the well was “fully developed,’ that is, the silt and sand from drilling had been removed using compressed air or water. The sound walls should be removed by July 23, she said.

Executive session

The meeting ended with an executive session to get legal advice on negotiating positions regarding potential agreements with the Mines Shopping Center, Buffs Wash, the Loop Water Authority, Monument Fire District, Classic Homes, and CSI Construction Co.

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The next meeting is on Aug. 11 at 1:00 p.m. Meetings are usually held on the second Monday of each month at 1 p.m. at the district office at 1845 Woodmoor Drive. Please see www.woodmoorwater.com or call 719-488-2525 to verify meeting times and locations.

James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me.

Other Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District articles

Monument Sanitation District, July 16 – Buc-ee’s potential impact studied

By Jackie Burhans and James Howald

In July, the Monument Sanitation District (MSD) board met briefly to hear operational details from District Manager Mark Parker, who focused on studies underway to assess the impact of wastewater from the proposed Buc-ee’s travel center. Parker also discussed an ongoing evaluation of the district’s wastewater collection system.

Buc-ee’s wastewater expected to have little impact

Parker told the board the estimate of the wastewater the proposed Buc-ee’s travel center would produce had been revised using actual numbers from a like-sized Buc-ee’s and now stood at 27,000 gallons per day. He said the district’s engineers were not worried about the updated estimate, which was a “minimal” fraction of what the district is currently processing. That amount was “a lot less” than the residential development that was previously planned for the site would have produced, Parker said. In addition to the updated estimate, Buc-ee’s had submitted a preliminary plan for the pipeline that would connect the travel center to MSD’s system.

Parker explained that El Paso County was pushing Buc-ee’s representatives to finalize their plans for the infrastructure required to move wastewater from the travel center into MSD’s collection system so that the county could start improvements to Beacon Lite Road that include leveling and straightening the road.

In response to a question from Director Janet Ladowski, Parker said Buc-ee’s has paid for the wastewater studies done so far. MSD assumes no responsibility for development projects, he said. MSD’s long-standing policy is that the district’s engineers bill the district for any work required by new development and the district forwards the bills to the developer for payment, he said. He added Buc-ee’s would build any necessary pipelines at its expense and, once complete, MSD would take ownership.

System evaluation underway

Parker said an annual evaluation of the district’s pipeline and manholes was underway. An assessment of the pipelines had been completed with no major issues found. The manholes would be inspected, photographed, and evaluated for inflow and infiltration. Parker said he expected the evaluation to be complete by the end of August.

Parker also mentioned that security upgrades, including video and motion-sensing lighting, were underway at district facilities.

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Monument Sanitation District meetings are held at 9 a.m. on the third Wednesday of the month in the district conference room at 130 Second St., Monument. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Aug. 20. See https://MonumentSanitationDistrict.org. For a district service map, see https://MonumentSanitationDistrict.org/district-map. Information: 719-481-4886.

Jackie Burhans can be reached at jackieburhans@ocn.me. James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me.

Other Monument Sanitation District articles

Donala Water and Sanitation District, July 17 – Board tours treatment facility, adjusts sewer bills

By James Howald and Jackie Burhans

The Donala Water and Sanitation District (DWSD) board met in July at the Upper Monument Creek Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility (UMCRWWTF) to tour the facility and to amend the policies by which sewer bills are calculated in two problem cases. The board also heard operational reports and held an executive session.

Wastewater treatment facility tour

Waste Plant Operator Aaron Tolman led the board on a tour of the UMCRWWTF, which is located at 14770 Jumping Mouse View. He highlighted the facility’s Programmable Logic Controller (PLC), which was upgraded over the past year. The PLC controls the operation of the treatment facility and is the center of its Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system. The PLC upgrades provide more granular control over the facility’s components and processes and replaced manual controls with more precise digital controls, resulting in savings on energy costs and adding redundancy to operations. The upgrades also improve the purity of the effluent that is released into Monument Creek. Board President Wayne Vanderschuere said the upgrades were also designed to improve the cybersecurity of the facility.

Above: At its July 17 workshop, Aaron Tolman, waste plant operator for Donala Water and Sanitation District (DSWD), gave a tour of the Upper Monument Creek Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility. The tour included a glimpse at the newly installed Programmable Logic Controller shown above that automates the plants functions, the digester that breaks down organic matter present in sludge, and the compactor that removes excess water from the biosolids before they are hauled away to landfills. Photo by Jackie Burhans.
Above: The interior of the wastewater digester. Donala is a co-owner and operator of the Upper Monument Creek Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility. along with TriView Metro District and Forest Lakes Metro District. Photo by Jackie Burhans.

Bills adjusted for snowbirds and leaks

At the July meeting, the board voted on Resolution 2025-4, which changes the way sewer bills are calculated for customers who have water leaks or who spend the winter months outside the district. The changes were discussed in detail at the board meeting in May. That discussion can be found here: https://wp.ocn.me/v25n6dwsd/.

DWSD uses water consumption during the winter months to calculate each customer’s sewer bill. This method assumes that none of the water used during the winter months is used for irrigation and, therefore, during the winter months, a gallon of water used creates a gallon of wastewater. This method creates two problem cases: if a customer has a water leak during the winter months, that results in too high a charge for sewer service, and if a customer spends the winter months outside the district, that results in too low a charge. The resolution provides for a Water Leak Adjustment program to address the first case and specifies that the district’s annual lower quartile consumptive average will be used to calculate sewer bills in the second case.

Vanderschuere pointed out that no changes were being made to rates.

The board voted unanimously in favor of the resolution.

Operational Reports

In his Manager’s Report, General Manager Jeff Hodge suggested the district hold an open house for customers as part of the district’s public outreach efforts. The open house would be an opportunity to thank residents living near the Well 7D drilling site for their patience and understanding for the disruption caused by the drilling operation, and a chance to educate the public about the district’s operations. He proposed Thursday, Sep. 25 from 4 to 7 p.m. for the open house.

Hodge also updated the board on the status of the Well 7D redrilling project. The well is done, he said, and water testing is underway. Helen Malenda-Lawrence of LRE Water is calculating the amount the district’s water rights will allow it to pump from the well. The Colorado Department of Health and the Environment will need to provide the permit for the well. Preliminary tests show good water quality, Hodge said, adding he expected the well to produce 200 gallons per minute.

In his Water Report, Superintendent of Water Operations Ronny Wright told the board repair work on the lid of the east water tank was complete and the next step would be to sandblast the west water tank.

In his Wastewater Report, Tolman said Timberline Building Systems had installed an ultrasonic flow transducer in the flume through which the UMCRWWTF discharges treated effluent into Monument Creek. The transducer is integrated with the facility’s SCADA system.

Executive session

The meeting ended with an executive session to receive legal advice from counsel regarding the district’s pending water court application in Case No. 24CW3019.

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The next board meeting has been moved to Thursday, Aug. 14 at 1:30 p.m. Generally, board meetings are held the third Thursday of the month at 1:30 p.m. and include online access; call (719) 488-3603 or access www.donalawater.org to receive up-to-date meeting information. The district office is located at 15850 Holbein Drive, Colorado Springs.

James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me. Jackie Burhans can be reached at jackieburhans@ocn.me

Other Donala Water and Sanitation District articles

Triview Metropolitan District – 2024 audit receives unmodified opinion; construction bid awarded

By Natalie Barszcz

At the Triview Metropolitan District (TMD) meeting on July 17, the board received the 2024 audit presentation, approved an amendment to the 2024 budget, and awarded the Construction General Manager Contract (CMGC) bid to Kiewit for the completion of the Higby Road project.

The board held an executive session to discuss the purchase and sale of water and land, economic incentive agreements, and agreements with the Town of Monument (TOM), and other governmental and private entities, including Creekside Developments, LLC., and associated entities.

2024 audit is “clean”

Audit Manager Diego Martinez of Haynie and Company presented the 2024 draft audit and financial statements. The district received a “clean” or unmodified opinion.

The board unanimously accepted the audited financial statements and authorized the district accountant to file the documentation with the state of Colorado.

2024 budget amendment

District accountant Cathy Fromm said a fund amendment was necessary for the 2024 budget. The original budget appropriated funds of about $16.976 million to the water and wastewater enterprise fund/capital projects fund, but the 2024 budget required an additional $2.217 million, to pay for the Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU) water costs and tap fee credits reimbursed to contractors. The additional funding is available in the total revenue, that was estimated at about $13 million and ended at about $15 million, said Fromm.

The board unanimously approved the 2024 budget amendment.

Higby Road construction agreement

McGrady requested the board approve Resolution 2025-1 to widen and improve Higby Road. The district received solid bids with a maximum price of about $12.4 million to build the road. Kiewit will have a notice to proceed in August with completion of the road improvements in November 2026. The district occasionally takes on large projects such as the widening of Jackson Creek Parkway that cost about $6.6 million in 2018, said McGrady. See https://wp.ocn.me/v25n7tmd/.

The board unanimously approved a CMGC agreement for construction services between Kiewit Infrastructure Company and TMD, that includes the establishment of a guaranteed maximum price in the amount of about $12,450 million, and authorization for the district manager to sign the documentation.

Defense and indemnification policy

General counsel George Rowley said as a result of the board workshop held on June 20, a defense and indemnification policy had been developed to provide protection for the board directors and district employees. He requested the board approve Resolution 2025-13, a resolution providing a defense and indemnification policy.

The board unanimously approved the resolution.

Water operations update

McGrady said the district budgeted 700-acre feet of renewable water to be transported via the Northern Delivery System for 2025. Water Utilities Superintendent Gary Potter looked at the budgeted and used water, and a decision was made to implement higher well usage during the higher demand months of July and August, pumping ground water to manage the budgeted surface water. The cost to deliver ground water is far less than surface water, however it is unreliable for long term use and the cost to replace well equipment is high. The district continues to supply renewable water to customers, with good inflows of water coming in from the districts water rights, said McGrady.

Executive session

The board moved into executive session at about 8:35 p.m. to discuss the purchase, acquisition, lease, transfer, or sale of real, personal, or other property interests needed by the district, pursuant to Colorado Revised Statutes (CRS) section 24-6-402(a), and to receive legal advice pursuant to CRS section 24-6-402(4)(b), as it relates to water matters and agreements with the Town of Monument (TOM), and other governmental and private entities including Creekside Developments, LLC and associated entities. The session also determined the district’s positions relative to matters that may be subject to negotiations, related to the purchase and sale of water and land, economic incentive agreements, and agreements with the TOM, and other governmental and private entities including Creekside Developments, LLC and associated entities, pursuant to CRS, section 24-6-402(4)(e).

Assistant Manager Steve Sheffield confirmed to this reporter that when the board returned to the regular session at 9:45 p.m., the board unanimously approved an addendum to the partial termination agreement with Creekside Developments, LLC. The meeting promptly adjourned.

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Meetings are usually held on the third Thursday of the month at the district office located at 16055 Old Forest Point, Suite 302. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Aug. 21 at 5:30 p.m. For meeting agendas, minutes, and updates, visit https://triviewmetro.com.

Natalie Barszcz can be reached at nataliebarszcz@ocn.me.

Other Triview Metropolitan District articles

El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority, July 17 – 2024 finances receive clean audit opinion

By James Howald

The El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority (EPCRLWA, or the Loop) board met in July to hear an audit report on its 2024 finances and a monthly financial report. Rebecca Hutchinson, a Civil Design Engineer with Merrick and Co., gave the board a progress report on work being done by the consulting and engineering companies that are contributing to the project. Hutchinson has replaced Mark Valentine as the Loop’s Interim Workflow Manager, who coordinates the work being done by the several specialists working on water quality, water treatment, easement acquisition and other aspects of the water reuse project. Valentine announced he has taken a job with Colorado Springs Utilities.

2024 finances get highest possible rating

Courtney Vance, an auditor with Sorren, Inc., told the board her audit report found “nothing negative to express.” The audit went well, she said. Vance complemented the work done by Fromm and Co., LLC, the Loop’s accountants, and said she had an open line of communication with the Loop’s board as she performed the audit.

The Loop’s assets increased by $497,000 in 2024 due to funding received from the American Recovery Plan Act and increased capital assets. These increases were offset by a slight decrease in cash. The Loop’s liabilities decreased by $58,000 due to quicker payment of vendors. The Loop’s net position increased by $497,000.

The board voted unanimously to accept Vance’s audit report.

Monthly financial report

Corbin Fromm told the board that invoices totaling $82,128 had been received in July, with $51,975 in services from Merrick being the largest cost. The board voted unanimously to authorize Fromm to pay the invoices.

Fromm said the Loop had spent just over $295,000 in 2025 to date, or about 5% of its budget for the year.

Progress report

Hutchinson told the board that a contract had been signed with Burns & McDonnell for that company to design the lift stations and pipelines needed to convey water from Fountain Creek to customers in the participating water districts. Another round of water quality data was received from JVA, Inc. Hutchinson said she was organizing a meeting between Burns & McDonnell and Western States Land Services LLC, the company acquiring the easements needed by the lift stations and pipelines. Hutchinson said she was ensuring the easements in northern El Paso County were coordinated with the plan to widen Higby Road. Finally, Hutchinson said a Request for Proposal (RFP) to expand the Calhan Reservoir so that it can store water diverted from Fountain Creek had been published. Merrick will evaluate the responses to the RFP and will advise the board, Hutchinson said.

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The next regular meeting is scheduled for Aug. 21 at 9 a.m. Regular meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month at 9 a.m. at the Monument Town Hall at 645 Beacon Lite Road. Workshop meetings are held the first Thursday of each month at 9 a.m. at the Monument Town Hall. Please see loopwater.org or call 719-488-3603 to verify meeting times and locations.

James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me.

Other Loop articles

Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District, June 9 – 2024 audit finds “clean” finances

By James Howald

In June, Uli Keeley of Prospective Business Solutions LLC, the district’s auditor, gave the Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District (WWSD) board the results of her audit of the district’s 2024 finances. The board awarded a contract to replace water service saddles. During public comments, resident Jennifer Davis reported errors in her online bill. The board also heard operational reports. The meeting ended with an executive session.

2024 finances deemed “clean”

Keeley told the board her audit of the district’s finances for 2024 resulted in an unmodified or clean opinion, essentially a diagnosis of good financial health. She said there were no significant findings on processes, policies, internal controls, or financial reporting. She noted some audit adjustments around investments, updates to depreciation and payables that were “nothing out of the ordinary.”

Keeley said the district’s Total Net Position, or equity in its assets, in 2024 was just over $73 million, an increase of about $5 million over 2023. She attributed the increase to the $4.4 million in tap fees the district collected in 2024. The district collected $1.6 million in tap fees in 2023. Water and sewer tap fees are one-time charges that developers pay when they connect to the district’s infrastructure. Overall, the district’s actual revenues were close to budgeted expectations, while expenditures were lower than estimated due to land and easement purchases and construction projects that were postponed.

The district ended 2024 with $25.7 million in cash and cash equivalents, an increase of about $1.2 million over the course of the year.

In terms of debt, Keeley said the district continued to pay down $14.7 million in bonds issued in 2021, which are due in full by 2031. The bonds issued in 2021 refinanced bonds issued in 2011 to purchase the Woodmoor Ranch and its water rights at a lower interest rate. District Manager Jessie Shaffer pointed out that the district’s Net Pledged Revenues were $7.6 million, or almost four times the district’s Annual Debt Service Requirements of $2 million. Shaffer said, “We are smashing debt service coverage.”

Call the WWSD office at 719-488-2525 to request a copy of the audit report.

Saddle replacement contract awarded

District Engineer Cydney Saelens told the board that eight bids had been received to replace 121 water service saddles and associated fittings. (Saddles connect residential service lines to water mains.) Saelens said bids for the project ranged from $1.2 million to $614,000, with Iron Women Construction and Environmental Services LLC submitting the low bid. Saelens said she spoke to two of the organizations Iron Women Construction supplied as references and both had favorable long-standing relationships with the company. She recommended that the contract be awarded to Iron Women Construction, adding 10% for contingencies, for a total of $675,738. The board voted to award the contract as Saelens suggested.

Resident reports billing error

Davis told the board she found errors in her online bill in the form of an additional $10 charge. She said the charge was labeled differently on different bills and she had to call the office to have the charge removed. She noted the charge did not appear on her paper bill but did appear on her Xpress Bill Pay bill. She asked why the staff needed to devote time to correcting billing errors and why the district uses a vendor that can’t permanently fix billing issues.

Shaffer said he was discussing the erroneous charges with Office Manager Cory Lynch and Billing Clerk Brittany Petta and they are considering replacing Xpress Bill Pay with another service provider. Board President Brian Bush recommended that if Xpress Bill Pay does not correct the problem quickly the district should move to another provider.

Operational reports

Operations Superintendent Dan LaFontaine said that two long-term leaks had been located that he believes have contributed to the district’s water loss. The leaks have been repaired and LaFontaine said next month’s water report should show a lower percentage of unaccounted water.

Saelens reported that well 12R drilling was nearing completion, with 1,675 feet completed of the 1,900 feet needed. Once drilling is complete, the casing, screens, and glass beads need to be installed, test pumping needs to be performed, and water quality samples need to be tested.

Saelens also said that the Monument Ridge East residential development, which will be south of County Line Road and east of I-25, had submitted construction documents to WWSD. The development will consist of 340 residences.

LaFontaine said 800 residential water meters remain to be replaced. He asked customers who have not received a new water meter to call the WWSD office at 719-488-2525 to schedule a replacement.

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The next meeting is on July 14 at 1 p.m. Meetings are usually held on the second Monday of each month at 1 p.m. at the district office at 1845 Woodmoor Drive. Please see www.woodmoorwater.com or call 719-488-2525 to verify meeting times and locations.

James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me.

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