Horse rescue organization loses 100 acres to flooded Fountain Creek

Fountain Creek swallowed up 100 acres of Dreamcatchers Equine Rescue’s land after heavy rain overwhelmed the creek Monday night.

The horse rescue operation is located just south of Fountain and is home to 150 rescued horses. Fountain Creek used to run adjacent to the property. However, owner Julie Demuesy said she woke up Tuesday morning to find the creek running through the property.

Demuesy moved her horses to a different pasture ahead of Monday’s storm to keep them safe. She said she has spent thousands of dollars to help keep Fountain Creek within its banks, but heavy rain Monday was too much.

“It’s very frustrating. I got up this morning and I looked up here and I thought really? Do you have to do this to us now?” said Demuesy.

Hay is growing in the flooded pastures. Demuesy said harvesting that hay helps cut down the costs of feeding the horses. Even if the water recedes, Demuesy is concerned the hay will be covered with silt and mud, rendering it unsuitable to give to the horses.

Also, Demuesy tries to utilize the summer months to save money to carry the rescue operation through the winter.

“Summertime is the time we recoup and we recoup our stores of hay and we save money to get for the fall to buy more hay,” said Demuesy.

She is keeping horses in another pasture and her neighbor has also volunteered some of his land for the horses as well.

She hopes Fountain Creek will return to its normal path once the water returns to its normal levels.