Year’s first stormwater project begins in Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs has begun meeting its commitment to Pueblo County to improve flood control in Fountain Creek.

The city started Wednesday on a retention pond for Sand Creek near the intersection of Black Forest and Woodmen roads.

The $3 million project is part of at least $19 million annually the city plans to spend for stormwater improvements that satisfy concerns Pueblo County has about creek flooding and water quality that affects Pueblo County downstream.

However, Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers said Pueblo County leaders remain dissatisfied.

“I’m disappointed and frustrated by it,” he said. “We’ve committed to spend $445 million in 73 projects over the next 20 years. They’ve threatened a lawsuit. I hope it doesn’t come to that.”

Suthers said Pueblo County wants more money spent on more projects.

“At this point in time, we’ve put as much as we possibly can on the table,” he said.

Officials said the pond is the second built in the area to slow the velocity of runoff and prevent erosion in Sand Creek and connecting Fountain Creek.

Work on the pond is expected to be finished in June.

Much of the runoff flowing into the creeks comes from the nearby Forest Meadows subdivision, a neighborhood with past flooding problems.

Residents there are more concerned about how the pond will affect their neighborhood.

“It’s loud and dusty. Non-stop trucks,” said Brandy Bonnell. “But I think anything that’s going to help (Pueblo’s) water quality and maybe keep us from flooding, I think would be great.”

“I’m worried about mosquitoes,” said Christina Montgomery. “They usually get blown away because it’s windy out here. But if there’s going to be standing water, it might be a concern.”

The retention pond is expected to be finished in June.