Flood damage repair slowed by ownership question

An El Paso County commissioner said Sunday that no repair work on a badly eroded creek can begin until the owner of land along the creek is determined.

“In order to work on private property, we have to get the owner’s permission,” Commissioner Sallie Clark said. “That can take a little extra time in order to track down the owner and make sure that we’re able to get in there and fix the problem.”

The creek, known as Fisher Creek, is on Tanager Way at the intersection of Chamberlin Street in Stratmoor Hills, just east of the Colorado Springs city limits.

As KRDO NewsChannel 13 first reported last Wednesday, heavy rain a week ago severely eroded the creek, knocked down trees and washed out large chunks of earth.

Neighbors say the erosion is moving toward Tanager Way, where about 12 homes are.

Alice Hill, one of the homeowners, said she regularly watches the area for signs of future erosion.

“It’s been roped off to keep people out,” she said. “Someone told me last week that the county wants to start repairs within two months, but we could get more rain before then. We’re worried.”

Hill said she would consider allowing the county to buy her out, but Clark said the situation doesn’t qualify for federal disaster funds for that purpose.

Meanwhile, Clark said the county will continue to determine who owns the creek property and devise a repair strategy.