OCN

Volunteers reporting on community issues in Monument, Palmer Lake, and the surrounding Tri-Lakes area

OCN > 2602 > Triview Metropolitan District, Jan. 22 – 2026 snowpack “really bad”

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.

**********

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

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *