Let it flow: Town and special district approve agreement resolving long-standing water issues
Years of wrangling for water between the Town of Morrison and the developers of Red Rocks Ranch came to an end July 28 when the metro district that governs the development approved a new intergovernmental agreement between the two.
The new IGA replaces the original, which was penned in 2008, when Red Rocks Ranch was planned to grow to twice the size it’s now expected to be. It has been amended eight times since then.
Pending some administrative approvals, this week’s vote means that not only can homeowners who’ve been waiting for water taps soon move into Red Rocks Ranch, irrigation taps will also begin to water landscaping and a complete-but-so-far unused children’s slide.
Additionally, it clears the way for Red Rocks Ranch to welcome future homeowners into the new development, free from most of the water worries that have plagued it from its inception.
Relief, with reservation
Waiting homeowners, special district board members and town trustees all expressed relief that they’d reached an agreement. A woman who contracted to buy her home in March said she’s cautiously optimistic.
“I’m excited with reservation because nothing is done yet,” said Mary Ann McShan, who’s been living in her Winter Park condominium while she waits for resolution on the water issue. “I feel really good that they approved a new IGA; from everything I’ve heard, that is good for the future. But I don’t know that we’ll ever know the full story.
“This definitely has put a cloud over it, but people do seem to like living there, and I do love the house. Hopefully, we can move forward in a good way.”
A member of the Mount Carbon Metropolitan District, formed to provide water and sewer to the development, also looks forward to moving ahead.
“It’s very much so a relief,” said Ed Kubly. “It’s been months of time and effort on many people’s parts to get to his point. We’re happy we can move forward with the Red Rocks community; it’s a beautiful community to live and share in.”
A new phase of Red Rocks Ranch development is under way on its east side. Credit: Jane Reuter
Morrison Mayor Chris Wolfe said his immediate concern was for the homeowners living in rented or temporary spaces as they waited to close on their properties.
“Some of these people have been waiting months to move into Red Rocks Ranch,” he said. “I’m hopeful they can get into a house soon.”
Morrison’s Town Board called a special meeting on July 24 to review and approve the 16-page document. The Mount Carbon board held a similar meeting on July 28 to do the same.
While the metro district is responsible for providing water to Red Rocks Ranch, the supply comes from the Town of Morrison. The original system was designed for a much smaller population than the 1,300 single-family homes and commercial center envisioned at Red Rocks Ranch. The town has fewer than 400 residents — more than half of whom live in the town’s nursing home — and only about 133 housing units, according to census data.
To serve the much larger development under construction just east of the town, Mount Carbon has already paid for a new water treatment plant and to expand and improve the wastewater treatment plant.
Under the revised agreement, Mount Carbon will pay the majority of costs to build a diversion, pump station and pipeline on Bear Creek that will allow the town to tap into additional water rights needed to serve Red Rocks Ranch. It must also finish work that will bring a water tank built with the water treatment plant into service.
“We are very close to having that complete, probably within the next three weeks,” Kubly said.
The town will release domestic and irrigation taps in limited quantities as the district completes each of those required tasks, under the IGA.
Concerns about costs
Landscaping has dried up while the town and metro district negotiate a water agreement for the Red Rocks Ranch development. Credit: Jane Reuter
Not everyone felt the IGA was perfectly crafted. Former town trustee Katie Gill is concerned the amount Mount Carbon is paying toward the pump station’s construction may be inadequate.
“That $97,000 represents 78 percent of the new water pump system; that’s their obligation,” she said. “The town would pay the other 21%. I’m surprised a new pump station can be designed and constructed for $124,000 and some change.
“If the cost ends up being higher, would Mount Carbon increase their contribution? The language in the agreement doesn’t suggest that. It states twice the initial (amount) would fully satisfy their contribution.”
The post Let it flow: Town and special district approve agreement resolving long-standing water issues appeared first on Colorado Community Media.
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