Colorado Springs homes threatened by erosion
Three homes have lost part or all of their backyards to erosion caused by wet spring weather, waterlogged steep slopes on which the homes were built and an unmitigated section of a creek.
The erosion is visible along Tamarron Drive, on the back side of the affected homes, which face Perfect View in a gated community near the intersection of Rockrimmon Boulevard and Delmonico Drive.
Affected neighbors said the rate of erosion has increased because of rain and their property — including fences and landscaping — is collapsing into North Rockrimmon Creek.
John and Sherry Baker, whp moved to the community two years ago, haven’t lost any of their backyard yet.
“I wasn’t aware of the circumstance when we bought the property,” John Baker said. “It was not disclosed to us. So I never heard anything about an issue (or knew) that there was an issue.”
The situation is such that several homes have installed plastic pipes to drain runoff directly into the creek and away from their homes.
“I don’t think insurance covers this,” Baker said.
As many as a dozen homes could ultimately be affected by the erosion.
Travis Easton, public works director for Colorado Springs, said Thursday the city doesn’t repair damage to private property and the homeowners will have to pay for it themselves.
“(But) we’re still in the process of gathering information,” he said. “We had surveyors out there yesterday.”
Part of the creek has had mitigation work, but the section below the affected homes has not. Easton said he hopes to have a plan for improving the creek by next week.
Meanwhile, neighbors like the Bakers wonder how long it’ll take for their yards to start eroding.
“The problem started on the city’s property,” Sherry Baker said. “It disappoints me to hear that we might have to pay for it. We’re hoping the city can do something.”
