No Current Funding To Better Stormwater Control

The Colorado Springs community voted away the stormwater enterprise fee, but that years old decision has left Colorado Springs in an awkward conflict with Pueblo County.

According to a letter sent from the Pueblo County Commissioners to Colorado Springs city leaders, the city made certain commitments over stormwater control as a part of being granted permits for the Southern Delivery System. Now, Pueblo County is telling Springs city leaders they are not moving fast enough in funding those stormwater controls.

These controls are important to Pueblo because Fountain Creek in Colorado Springs flows into Pueblo, and the county is subject to flooding and contamination concerns should the stormwater controls not be properly maintained.

“When issue 300 passed and voters did away with our storm water system it left us with significant storm water needs in the community,” said Jan Martin, President Pro Tem of the Colorado Springs City Council.

Currently there are some $66 million in critical maintenance and improvements to the stormwater system.

Martin said the city has been moving forward with improvements, but recognizes that there is not currently enough funding to make those improvements at a quicker pace.

Municipal leaders are currently looking for ways to acquire more funding for these maintenance and improvement needs. Some proposed solutions include using Colorado Springs Utilities money or a regional source of funding. One thing is certain, the money has to come from somewhere. The question is, will it come from the Colorado Springs community alone, or a wider group?

“The truth is that it is not free. Somebody will pay. That is an increase in utility rates or a partnership from a regional perspective with everyone participating,” said Martin.

Council members are currently awaiting the results of a study that may provide more insight into possible solutions for funding acquisition. Council expects to learn more from the study in 30 days.