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Tuesday, February 12, 2008
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From The Sky-Hi Daily News, "Six public partners pooled money to buy $2.6 million worth of water rights in a transaction that successfully closed Friday. Grand County, The Colorado River Water Conservation District, the towns of Granby and Winter Park, Grand County Water and Sanitation District No. 1 and the Winter Park Water and Sanitation District are now the proud owners of 85.5 shares of the Vail Ditch, which directs water from the Meadow Creek Reservoir at about10,000 feet in elevation to irrigation systems on the Granby mesa near the Granby Airport, once the growing fields of the Great Divide Lettuce Co.
More from the article:
The shares were sold by Scott and Tina Holley of Granby. A $1.5 million grant administered through the Colorado Water Conservation Board helped pay toward the purchase price; the remainder was equally split among the six entities. "I've never made anybody a millionaire before," said Bruce Hutchins, Manager of Grand County Water and Sanitation District No. 1, referring to the closing.
For some, the Vail Ditch shares were acquired as the means to another goal. The southernmost shareholders especially are hoping their shares might be used as bargaining chips with Denver Water. The town of WInter Park, the Winter Park Water and Sanitation District (which services the ski area and Winter Park's Old Town) and Grand County Water and Sanitation District No. 1 (which services the town of Winter Park) hope to trade Vail Ditch shares for some of Denver Water's Vasquez Creek and Fraser River rights. But negotiations lie ahead with both Denver Water and the Vail Ditch Co. About 80 shareholders own some 240 shares of Vail Ditch water.
More Coyote Gulch coverage here.
Category: Colorado Water
7:04:16 AM 
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Mead's new wastewater treatment plant is under construction according to The Longmong Times Call. From the article:
Construction is under way on a $5.6 million wastewater plant that officials say will more than triple the capacity of an overtaxed system and open the door for town expansion. "(The plant) is the future of the town," Mead Mayor Dick Macomber said. The plant, expected to begin operation by November, will increase Mead's wastewater-processing capacity to 500,000 gallons a day from the current 140,000 gallons a day. Monthly wastewater fees for residents will increase by 2.4 percent over two years to handle increased operating costs, officials said. The plant, funded in part by a $1 million state grant, is being built east of Interstate 25 on Weld County Road 34. Workers broke ground Jan. 25, and a 4-foot pipe is being laid under the interstate to handle the flow from Mead...
The upgrade was mandated by the state after a set of 2005 Water Quality Control Commission regulations set legally acceptable ammonia levels at 3.3 milligrams per liter for treated wastewater. The existing system produces ammonia levels upwards of 30 milligrams per liter. This is of special concern to the state because high ammonia concentrations can wreak havoc on aquatic ecosystems and Mead's wastewater eventually empties into the St. Vrain River. With the new plant, Mead will be able to serve about 6,000 customers; it now serves about 2,000. And as the town grows, plans already are "basically in place" to double capacity to 1 million gallons a day, Wright said. The town is laying the piping infrastructure now to handle the expansion.
Category: Colorado Water
6:55:44 AM
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Pueblo will start purchasing shares of the Bessemer Ditch on Friday according to The Pueblo Chieftain. From the article:
The Pueblo Board of Water Works on Friday will begin a 45-day effort to line up potential sellers on the Bessemer Ditch. At the end of the period, March 31, the water board hopes to determine whether it will be possible to obtain a controlling interest in Pueblo County's largest ditch. Letters to shareholders are being mailed today. "We don't have any intention of convincing people who want to continue farming to sell their shares of Bessemer Ditch," Nick Gradisar, water board president, told Pueblo City Council Monday. "If people want to remain in agriculture and not sell their shares, we're not going to make them. We can't make them." Gradisar and Alan Hamel, water board executive director, outlined the reasons why the water board, along with Pueblo West, have decided to make the offer at this time. It was the first time the water board has formally met with council on the plan since it was unveiled in October.
"How significant is the Bessemer for enhancing the 100-year water supply? Is it significant?" asked Councilwoman Judy Weaver. "We need to add to the water supply," Hamel replied. "This is just the first step in a 100-year plan." The plan is also partly defensive, Gradisar said. Part of the reason the water board and Pueblo West are trying to buy the Bessemer is to keep other communities to the north "who are not yet well organized" from coming into Pueblo County to buy water rights, Gradisar explained. "Ours is a generous price," Gradisar said. [base "]If someone wants to wait 20, 30, 40 years, they could get more in the future. But if people want to sell in their own lifetime, now is the time." The water board and Pueblo West are offering $6,500 for immediate sales, with other options for $8,000 over five years and $8,500 over 20 years. One option allows sellers to lease the same water back for the next 20 years. The water board also wants to work with those who will continue irrigating to improve the ditch, Hamel added. Council members were generally supportive of the effort, although Councilman Mike Occhiato raised a couple of tough questions.
If options on enough shares of the Bessemer Ditch can be secured by March 31, the water board would then begin a two-year period to evaluate its future course of action. Four things would need to be accomplished in that period, Hamel said: The bylaws of the Bessemer Ditch would have to be changed to allow the water from the ditch to be used anywhere within Pueblo County, but not outside the county. The use of water would have to comply with Pueblo County land-use regulations adopted under the 1974 HB1041. Engineering on the water rights, to determine the consumptive use portion that could be transferred outside the ditch, would have to be completed. The change of use of the water rights would have to be completed in Division 2 water court. At the same time, the water board would also look at financing the purchase. Since 1999, the water board has been collecting money in a water development fund, but might have to look at more traditional terms of financing depending on how options stack up. In November, the water board increased its connection fee and will look at more increases in order to shift the burden to new customers. "For those who would ask where the water for future annexations is coming from, this is the answer," said Councilman Larry Atencio after hearing the plans. "I feel good. I wish you luck," added Councilwoman Vera Ortegon, who served 11 years on the water board. "The most important part to me is the lease-back for agriculture."
More Coyote Gulch coverage here.
Category: Colorado Water
6:29:16 AM
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© Copyright
2008
John Orr.
Last update:
3/1/08; 10:25:08 AM.
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