Triview Newsletter – February 2021
2020 Year In Review
While 2020 was a memorable year for many of the wrong reasons, there were many bright spots in the Triview Metro District to share.
Triview Focuses on Water to Protect our Future
If the Triview Metro District is going to preserve and even improve our future, we need access to water. It is one of the greatest threats our area faces, and we have been diligent about taking steps to ensure that we have adequate resources.
For example, in May 2020, the district issued $16.14 million in water and wastewater enterprise revenue bonds to acquire 532 acre feet of water and 2,000 acre feet of water storage in a transaction with the Stonewall Springs Reservoir Co. The water will come from the Arkansas River, just east of Pueblo and will be diverted at the Excelsior Ditch head gate. In addition to the existing reservoir and water rights, Triview also acquired nearly 800 acres of land that could be used for the development of two large reservoirs. Triview will be actively seeking partners to develop these reservoir sites. The focus for 2021 will be to make the South Reservoir at Stonewall Springs operational with the development of an inlet, spillways, and outlet works.
A second series of bonds for $10.90 million were issued in October to acquire the Chicago Springs Ranch, near Buena Vista, which includes 492 acre feet of water and 350 acres of land. The bond issuance also provided money that will be used in the future to pay for various strategic assets such as the Northern Monument Creek Interceptor, and/or the Northern Delivery Pipeline that are being permitted as at this time.
We also completed drilling two new wells to access additional water sources, which will be especially helpful during the summer months when we see peak demand: the Arapahoe Aquifer (A-9), which is 1,900 feet deep, and produces 350 gallons of water a minute; and the Denver Aquifer (D-9), which is 1,400 feet deep and produces 200 gallons a minute. The addition of these wells brings the total number of wells in the district to nine.
Classic Homes designed and constructed an attractive A-9 D-9 Pump House, located adjacent to the Sanctuary Park, which includes a community restroom, mail box facilities, a beautiful playground, and in the future, artificial turf soccer fields. JDS Hydro designed the pump room and oversaw the construction of the wells earlier in 2020.
In 2021, the district is working on moving forward with a 999-acre foot Excess Storage Capacity account in Pueblo Reservoir. This account will allow us to manage the district’s portfolio of water rights in the most efficient way possible, thereby maximizing the yield from our water right assets. Now that the district has acquired nearly 1,900 acre feet of water, the next phase of development will be focused on water court filings and permits, that will allow for the full utilization of these water rights and make the transition from non-renewable Denver Basin groundwater to renewable surface water possible.
Northern Monument Creek Interceptor Project Moves Forward
Regional cooperation, especially with a resource as precious as water, is critical to the ongoing growth and success of the Triview Metro District. As we’ve previously shared, the district has joined other local communities in a regional wastewater project known as the North Monument Creek Interceptor (NMCI). The NMCI project will construct a 10-mile pipeline to collect wastewater flows from six districts and northern Colorado Springs and transport it for treatment at the J.D. Phillips Water Resource Recovery Facility in Colorado Springs.
Of course, a project of this magnitude takes time, and the first hurdle is the development of an Environmental Assessment (EA) that is required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The NEPA process got underway in 2020, with the U.S. Air Force Academy acting as the lead federal agency ensuring NEPA compliance. The entire project will be completed by March 2024. For more information or to see a map of possible pipeline routes, visit: csu.org/pages/wastewaterproject.aspx.
Jackson Creek Parkway Widening Completed
The Jackson Creek Parkway widening project was completed in 2020. The nearly two-mile-long road improvements, from Baptist Road to Higby Road, expanded the two-lane road into four lanes with turn lanes and a landscaped median. Improvements also included a sidewalk from Blevins Buckle to Lyons Tail Road on the east side of Jackson Creek Parkway, as well as bike lanes, new lighting and a storm drain system.
Public Works Building Under Construction
You may soon notice construction just north of Mountain View Electric’s substation along Jackson Creek Parkway. This will be a new maintenance facility to house our trucks, lawn mowers and other equipment for the district. The 5,600 square foot building will be completed this summer, and will include four offices, a break room and a much-needed maintenance facility. The investment in this facility will pay great dividends in the coming years.
Schedule Water Meter Installation
In advance of the anticipated dry, hot summer ahead, the district wants to remind residents that you can help control your water costs by having your existing basic water meter replaced with a smart meter at no charge. A major benefit of the new meter is that you can monitor water usage in real-time from your computer or phone, which will quickly allow you to know if there’s an issue such as a leak or if you are over-watering. All water meters will be replaced over the next few years, so If you’re interested in jumping to the front of the line, please schedule an appointment by emailing us: info@triviewmetro.com or calling the office: 719-488-6868.