A group in southern Colorado is in the process of suing Colorado Springs

A group in southern Colorado plans to sue the City of Colorado Springs for not keeping up its end of the bargain.

The Lower Arkansas River Water Conservancy District, which represents Bent, Crowley, Otero, Prowers and Pueblo counties, said Colorado Springs is in violation of the Clean Water Act by not having enough money to fund stormwater projects for Fountain Creek.

Fountain Creek runs from Colorado Springs to Pueblo and then it feeds into the Arkansas River. The district said Colorado Springs isn’t doing enough to avoid having debris or pollutants go into Fountain Creek.

Melissa Esquibel is a secretary for the district. She said the failure of Question 1B, which would have placed a monthly fee on property taxes to generate $40 million annually, was the straw that broke the camel’s back.

She said the district kept on hearing the same story for two years that Colorado Springs would make enough money to fund stormwater projects for Fountain Creek, but the district feels it gave the city enough time, which led to the notice of intent to sue.

“The goal is to get the ball rolling,” Esquibel said.

The district has 120 days to decide if it wants to file suit.