Flood damage costs assessed

The process of having flood repair projects reviewed and reimbursed officially begins Monday.

Colorado Springs city leaders will will meet with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management at 10 a.m.

City leaders estimate damages from spring and summer storms to be $10 million — $8 million to storm water and drainage systems, and $2 million to parks and trails.

“We just have a lot of creek blowouts, small sections of concrete channel failed,” Tim Mitros, the city’s stormwater manager, said. “There’s a lot of damage all over the city.”

Parts of the Foothills, Greenway and Section 16 trails remain closed because of flood damage. The city hopes to finish repairs by Labor Day weekend.

Mike Reisenleiter is one of many who continues to ride his bicycle or hike in the closed trail sections.

“It’s not like there’s (another) route to go,” he said. “That’s actually the part that is a little bit challenging — trying to find another way.”

Monday’s briefing includes a public assistance program providing grants to nonprofit groups and certain Native American governments to assist with disaster recovery.

Grants pay for debris removal, emergency protection and permanent restoring of infrastructure.

Colorado received a federal disaster declaration last month for 11 counties, including El Paso County, for damage caused by spring storms.