Cheyenne Creek residents look back on the Flood of 2013

It was nearly one year ago that parts of Southwestern Colorado were hit hard by flooding rains.

Water invaded homes along Cheyenne Creek and the neighborhood around it was declared a disaster area.

Today, dark clouds again gathered over Cheyenne Mountain, but there was nowhere near the rain that fell on Sept. 13, 2013. It was still a reminder of what happened here.

A foot of rain fell at Fort Carson over a 24-hour period. That turned the normally placid creek into a torrent.

The waters receded, but not before leaving behind a mess. Six months ago, the Jackson family was still repairing the damage.

Today, it’s a different sight. New walls are up to prevent future flooding.

But the memories have yet to fade.

Jim Jackson said, “when I think about that, I just get a sick feeling.”

The ground floor was heavily damaged and while it is fixed, finishing the job will take much longer than a year. The Jacksons have other projects in mind.

Jim Jackson said, “I’d like to put concrete up, with stones in it. Maybe about four feet in front of the house.”

Meantime, the city is making its own plans to fix future problems.

“Starting (Monday), we’re in there repairing the walls. that’s one of the last things that we have to do in Cheyenne Creek,” said Tim Mitros, the Development Review and Public Works Manager for Colorado Springs Public Works and City Engineering.

The goal is simple, according to Mitros.

“We’re re-establishing the creek as it was before,” he said.

With planning and mitigation, the city is hoping to provide some peace of mind to people who live along Cheyenne Creek.

Because it will rise again.

The city is hoping to finish its work on Cheyenne Creek by the end of the month, but completing the project will depend on the weather.