Flood damage cost local utility $6 million

Workers are repairing flooding and erosion damage caused by three months of rain on property owned by Colorado Springs Utilities, a spokesman said Thursday.

Ken Hughlett, a senior emergency management specialist with the utility, said around $6 million in damage has been done — mostly from the effects of Little Fountain Creek, which flows through the utility’s Clear Spring Ranch facility.

“It’s typically a dry creek,” he said. “But this year it has more drainage than it ever has.”

Hughlett said power poles and fire suppression lines have been undercut by the damage and it also threatens bridges, roads and other infrastructure.

Workers are using heavy machinery to repair the damage, which includes a road that has washed out several times.

“It’s just a temporary emergency repair,” Hughlett said. “We’re looking for long-term solutions. We’re going to bring in some hydrologists and do some studies.”

Hughlett said the utility is trying to acquire reimbursement from insurance and the federal government to avoid passing repair costs along to ratepayers.

On Thursday, President Obama signed a disaster declaration that clears the way for federal money in Colorado, but it’s unclear how much money the utility will receive.

The utility said it sustained $17 million in damage after the Waldo Canyon and Black Forest fires and other flooding, and the utility had half that amount reimbursed.

Rates were not increased for damages during that period, the utility said.