[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6670760,"mediaKeyId","2172042-ecc1de5929a3d12499eb2ee18f3caa2b","parentId",2172042,"title","Leadville sanitation district lays out multi‑year pipe replacements and $16M plant rehab","audioSeconds",2213,"startMs",1159000,"endMs",3372000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2172042-ecc1de5929a3d12499eb2ee18f3caa2b&start=1159&end=3372","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2172042-ecc1de5929a3d12499eb2ee18f3caa2b/thumbnail_1159000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6670760/Lake-County/Colorado/Leadville-sanitation-district-lays-out-multiyear-pipe-replacements-and-16M-plant-rehab","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6670760-9115cec1d18baa31ff907ba34aa8254f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775372340&Signature=DGF92QQLb4sKVyJRNXKyRo2sDk4qThMNtKLQjDL~oE8kw9b2BTNM5oPLXMt3op9k8GS~OW2AE9UIPHPOEdNiobHH00oJf-~qg1-fYW0xAmJiV~tJKEDmhtell9JEU1-SL7UFOhuEwdEmekCgpAQZgnjyvf9q73jj5cF6ibAvhBR7IAGBM6ODu4oTUWV8IQnV3CCTiCyGQmw72Qe8kzrf~K51pXJe0VN3Kg0DOmEX73HbH0jjzJqo-d9PiLu9PeO4Fyr~ixsz74vwZxSHoFwFFK7vOQNGSvctpzGBSFCT5t1TgfGzHB3RWnks-XQk1duDf1eFQ2LkZs7eVpWyyCwBgQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lake County","date","2025-01-29T05:21:20.333Z","article","Joshua Miller, district manager for the Leadville Sanitation District, told the Lake County Board of County Commissioners on Jan. 20 the district has been working this year to repair aging sewer infrastructure that is letting groundwater into the collection system and overwhelming the wastewater plant.

Miller said infiltration and inflow (I&I) from cracked vitrified‑clay pipe and failing manholes is increasing peak flows at the plant from a typical 350,000 gallons per day to as much as 1.5 million gallons per day during spring melt, a volume above the plant’s rated capacity. The district has identified trouble spots and focused construction this year on about 2,000 linear feet of pipe; the whole system has about 200,000 linear feet, Miller said.

The district’s near‑term work is concentrated on alleys and downtown streets where older 6‑ and 8‑inch pipes remain. Miller said slip‑lining has limited value given pipe condition, and in places the district expects to abandon some in‑house alignments and reroute mains into streets. He described a point repair on Toledo Street tied to a fiber line installation that has been leaching for months and that the installer is cooperating and expected to pay the repair costs.

Why it matters: excessive I&I dilutes biological treatment, stresses pumps and digestion processes at the plant, creates odor and operational problems and increases long‑term treatment costs for ratepayers. The district’s strategy is to address the worst leaking blocks first so downstream infrastructure and development connections will be viable.

Money and funding: Miller said collection‑system repairs to date are costing roughly $4.5 million for the construction currently underway. The district drew about $350,000 from its reserves for this work and expects roughly $500,000 may remain in reserves after the current projects. Future repairs will be largely grant dependent, Miller said; the district applied to the Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) but did not receive a full $1 million award this cycle and will continue to pursue matching funds.

Wastewater treatment plant project: Miller described a separate, districtwide plant rehabilitation that is already under construction. He said the project budget is about $16 million across two loans, with $2 million forgivable; the district also received a $750,000 Environmental Improvement Fund (EIF) grant that will reimburse planning costs at about a 12% match rate. The loans carry favorable terms Miller summarized as 20 years at about 2% interest, producing roughly $650,000 in annual debt service. The district’s annual user fees and tax fees together generate about $220,000 a year in restricted revenue for collection repairs and to service debt. The district currently hauls dewatered solids to the Front Range and is exploring local disposal or composting options once solids classification and facilities are resolved.

Connections to development: Miller said the collection work must be completed before the district can accept additional flows tied to projects such as Gateway Village and a county‑sponsored affordable housing project; those new connections will require either mains to be repaired or new lift stations, depending on site topography. He said Gateway Village is likely to need a lift station unless the developer constructs an independent treatment plant.

Homeowner impacts: Miller warned crews are finding private laterals and multiple houses tied into single service lines; when construction finds private‑side failures, homeowners will be responsible for repairs. He said the district is exploring options to mitigate costs for homeowners but that many private repairs can range into the tens of thousands of dollars.

Operational details and next steps: the district is using camera inspections, third‑party engineering (JVA) and phased construction to sequence work. Miller recommended coordination with county road/bridge to avoid tearing up newly paved streets. He also invited commissioners to tour the plant and the collection system improvements.

Quotes: “When you have old clay pipe… it cracks, breaks and allows groundwater to seep in,” Miller said, describing the hydraulic consequences. He added, “By fixing this issue [in West Park], we actually have one good large chunk of section that’s okay,” referring to areas cleared by this year’s repairs.

Ending note: Miller asked the commission to support continued grant applications and interagency coordination; he said the district will continue to pursue DOLA and other funding sources and will return with progress updates and invitations to facility tours.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Lake County CO 01.28.2025 BOCC Work Session - 9AM","oneSentenceSummary","Joshua Miller, district manager for the Leadville Sanitation District, told Lake County commissioners on Jan. 20 that aging clay pipe and leaking manholes are driving excessive groundwater into the sewer system and forcing a multiyear program of collection‑system replacements and a $16 million treatment‑plant rehabilitation.","taxTitle","Lake County, Colorado","taxId",27576,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6670741,"Leadville Fire outlines training center, resident‑firefighter program and capital needs",1661,8914000,10575000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2172042-ecc1de5929a3d12499eb2ee18f3caa2b&start=8914&end=10575","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2172042-ecc1de5929a3d12499eb2ee18f3caa2b/thumbnail_8914000.jpg","/articles/6670741/Lake-County/Colorado/Leadville-Fire-outlines-training-center-residentfirefighter-program-and-capital-needs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6670741-22e79b2f13a61ff35f4461789e41f505/orig.mp4?Expires=1775372340&Signature=XirabfBzERgOB~PlEl9pjcTC~LTRXcOr4LabghFmHnZs-61K1O2MebPNFbUhfoXwwnYZ-pD~1HXz5ckkVnGggAdnaeNm3kZrse3u-IZGU92P7Ey8pEqfl-A1Io3TIRxGTCHEP0l2-8VS~5zwMcu67kprNn28N-RjVkWcel5X-JS~0nJNVqPeQ82cOM-7GbM9ADaEj1nJteI3cu6Jhyj28i9z4hVvsYT2ffuwy59a8fddW2Iaed9wDnXP7qnen2C2-narA3jcDXioXTHocMlqRG96vFHdFa71vFx43NYs1QxihMH9JaQBSC~7ijPqmGCTSHZ9kz-mpV6jV6ms3EQ36g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Leadville Fire Chief updated Lake County commissioners on Jan. 20 about training, staffing and capital projects tied to the department’s Headwaters Training Center (HTC) and resident reserve program.

Training and resident program: the department built a training complex from repurposed shipping containers at a site near Half Moon Campground to host a locally run fire academy and associated classrooms and burn‑props. The district partnered with a local community college (College of Mountain C) under an intergovernmental agreement to support a fire science curriculum and to provide a part‑time captain who oversees training. The fire department used a federal SAFER grant to fund a resident‑reserve program that paid salaries and benefits for trainees while they earned an associate’s degree and fire training. Those grant funds have transitioned and the department is budgeting to retain personnel after the grant period.

Apparatus and funding: the chief said the department has added a type‑1 engine, a type‑3 and a type‑6 engine in recent years and purchased a ladder truck with donation and fire‑fund revenues. He reported a fire‑fund balance of approximately $345,000 after recent capital expenditures; the department uses revenues from mutual‑aid deployments, airport standby and contracted wildland work to replenish that fund. The department also uses some contracted deployments to provide staff experience (for example, engine strike teams on national fires) and to bring revenue for capital replacement.

Operational priorities and mitigation: the department is seeking another tactical tender/type‑3 engine to expand wildland response capacity and is exploring seasonal, contract wildland crews who could do mitigation work locally and deploy nationally. The chief described plans for improved station storage at Station 2, a Medical/sauna facility for medical needs, and solar installations to reduce utility costs there. He said the department will update standard operating procedures and mutual‑aid agreements this year and continue to pursue grants to support mitigation and training.

Public safety and community programs: the chief emphasized peer‑support programs for responders, in‑house training and equipment maintenance needs; he said the department is examining options to reduce offsite repairs by hiring or contracting an emergency vehicle technician locally.

Quote: “This program has been very exceptional,” the chief said of the resident‑reserve academy, noting the emphasis on creating a career pathway and retaining trained personnel locally.

Ending: the chief invited commissioners to visit the Headwaters Training Center and requested continued coordination on capital planning and staffing strategy.","The fire chief briefed commissioners on the department’s Headwaters Training Center, the resident reserve program tied to SAFER grants, recent apparatus acquisitions paid from a fire fund, and long‑term needs including additional tactical wildland apparatus and staffing.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6670746,"CSU Extension reopens Lake County office and seeks community input on local programs",1727,7177000,8904000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2172042-ecc1de5929a3d12499eb2ee18f3caa2b&start=7177&end=8904","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2172042-ecc1de5929a3d12499eb2ee18f3caa2b/thumbnail_7177000.jpg","/articles/6670746/Lake-County/Colorado/CSU-Extension-reopens-Lake-County-office-and-seeks-community-input-on-local-programs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6670746-4ca9503c860fcfe8b394d049a87f35d6/orig.mp4?Expires=1775372340&Signature=U33yu9ZnVVocV39MLx2l3mIq-g4MqML-SkryCIWAxRl-UvuKIqfs0MlbDhqEOGFkmTvFZU7btaOCdvRtwZZWvd1IjNBLutMvlFHiJj9GVL8J7haALFfEpSleGQ3srkwfPjssWWlrkcbyvKy9mR6Aeu3rDgc3ZP5m~03tVJNXwqUHOYx3nK6tzsE4f68QqFlDTV49ZpFOC5rdfMC5M~4LSyoy3ikfaBPOhVPn3Cr1wdK9NL-HX~9iiGBT0vi7IEEme5KE2m7qcfVkGJUCLZDDuZcxuy0-duhF9zUJ5iWPUnNQ6TNsNMXp5CP7-NPQEgxhEXHyZemw4T5eHhX3nMZlJA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Colorado State University Extension’s newly hired director for Lake County, Diana Solenberger, told the Board of County Commissioners on Jan. 20 that the county office has been reopened and that she is conducting outreach to determine programming priorities.

Sol enberger said Lake County’s Extension program had closed in 1977, briefly reopened in 2022 and was closed again at the end of 2023; she was hired in December to restart the county program. County funding covers 20% of the position’s salary and benefits while CSU funds the remaining 80%, she said.

Near‑term approach: Solenberger said her first priority is listening to community stakeholders to identify gaps that CSU Extension can fill without duplicating existing local efforts. She is meeting community groups, the library and school‑age programs and plans to begin programs within a few months. She flagged several recurring local interests: high‑alpine gardening, noxious‑weed support, home wildfire‑preparedness and youth/4‑H healthy‑living programming. She said CSU has regional specialists and funding streams (including youth and 4‑H grants) that can be tapped to accelerate new programming.

Budget and operations: the county contributes to the local extension account for professional services and a small amount for training and supplies. Solenberger said she will seek supplemental funding and partnerships to expand programming beyond the modest county contribution.

Quote: “My goal is more to find the gaps, to see where I can fit in, and what programming CSU can provide that’ll fit those areas, or how can I elevate or expand the program that’s starting to be done?” Solenberger said.

Next steps: she plans to meet Lake County community groups in the coming weeks and hopes to return to commissioners with a program schedule and requests for targeted support and partnerships.","Diana Solenberger, recently hired as Lake County’s CSU Extension director, told commissioners the office reopened in December and that her near‑term plan is to gather stakeholder input to design local programming; initial priorities include high‑alpine gardening, weeds management and youth/4‑H activities.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6670751,"Forest Service ranger outlines wildfire mitigation, recreation management and funding gaps for Leadville district",2571,5285000,7856000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2172042-ecc1de5929a3d12499eb2ee18f3caa2b&start=5285&end=7856","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2172042-ecc1de5929a3d12499eb2ee18f3caa2b/thumbnail_5285000.jpg","/articles/6670751/Lake-County/Colorado/Forest-Service-ranger-outlines-wildfire-mitigation-recreation-management-and-funding-gaps-for-Leadville-district","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6670751-bd609b924ab5af4f22024f2be9fbd01e/orig.mp4?Expires=1775372340&Signature=VVOUm01wUeKS40dx63MR89D8nLrtUXSRhgQnG8Q0ijGKXU56RdnOsZBsCtezjiMwLdnO8t575ed9XiRlTulRdnA6uy9NqPyU2nqtVveiCK1hsHaKZoRsW3BexvJdUx85Fx9SdUiE8-V9VrYS3hbOSDg7eamcPtUlP8H0-5vCum9Ryiyz1pQdtm1CxgwtuZeGl72PB8wyjRJHjYFmZlVn-7lLTL-Gf0k57aECi7uT07cOT49c6tpMLvKo27mwMSxpgKQ2dV9S~P2zVW9o16cPj13sYejzxwCZW0vi7u4tFOuFIgzYL2C1~VQpQxhTzWTPsSNlCGzlup5Qr3PQb-LUQg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Leadville District Ranger told the county’s commissioners on Jan. 20 that the Forest Service’s Leadville District covers roughly 300,000 acres — about half in designated wilderness — and that wildfire mitigation and recreation management are the unit’s top local priorities.

Mitigation work and Twin Lakes: the ranger described the Tennessee Creek/Twin Lakes planning effort and the adjacent Twin Lakes wildfire in 2024 that occurred inside the project footprint. That incident prompted a reanalysis of current conditions and created additional opportunities for fuel‑reduction treatments. The district is implementing treatments around Turquoise Lake and northern drainages, including Mt. Zion and Half Moon, and has completed roughly 2,000 acres so far with hundreds more laid out for future work.

Funding and scale: the ranger said a community‑wide strategy emerging from the Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) would require treating roughly 25,000 acres to reduce risk substantially; he estimated that a comprehensive effort could cost around $50 million and stressed that there is no local timber market to offset treatment costs, which raises per‑acre prices. Major partners identified include Colorado Springs Utilities, Central Colorado Conservancy and nonprofit collaborators; Natural Resource Damage (NRD) settlement funds are supporting selected crossings and restoration work.

Recreation and dispersed camping management: the ranger said campground visitation spikes can double county population at peak periods and that unregulated dispersed camping that expanded in 2020–21 now requires formal management. The district is concluding National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analysis for a dispersed camping management project intended to designate sustainable car‑camping sites accessible from system roads while protecting fragile terrain and wilderness areas. He warned that designation can displace use to adjacent landowners or other jurisdictions and urged regional coordination.

Wildlife and planning constraints: the ranger explained that lynx habitat and other species‑linkage mapping constrain some treatment options in certain zones; he noted recent U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposals on lynx critical habitat overlap with existing linkage maps used for planning.

Partnerships and operations: the ranger encouraged continued county–Forest Service collaboration on projects such as the Half Moon crossing (funded through NRD settlement) and said the district can provide technical input for county planning processes and community projects. He asked the new commissioners to identify a county point person for natural‑resource coordination to streamline engagement.

Quote: “We couldn’t do it in any other way,” the ranger said of partners and cooperators who assist with treatments and recreation stewardship.","The Leadville District Ranger briefed commissioners on wildfire reduction projects around Turquoise and Twin Lakes, dispersed camping management, funding needs for large‑scale treatments and the role of partners such as Colorado Springs Utilities and nonprofit collaborators.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6670756,"Parkville Water District outlines water‑rights portfolio and aging pipeline repairs",1621,3420000,5041000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2172042-ecc1de5929a3d12499eb2ee18f3caa2b&start=3420&end=5041","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2172042-ecc1de5929a3d12499eb2ee18f3caa2b/thumbnail_3420000.jpg","/articles/6670756/Lake-County/Colorado/Parkville-Water-District-outlines-waterrights-portfolio-and-aging-pipeline-repairs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6670756-99604d207834564a256476e948ef3a85/orig.mp4?Expires=1775372340&Signature=boBr-tT9zHFpxxJLpxQdWEfhnEZFTbpeuNpfNX9POBTet47c0ZQwonuaMbvzu8SzSVzSmJINVn2Q6AWv7JUieAGJRF2eqktVZtGbvaue4t7okrKuPXvUj-nvqr1Xj0WLEeYTCxcanPH7Nq0n11~ZLCSl1n2nFUBtjHGp769YObwAzIewKseYQ6OmbJndgCxFX2xfFK61AEwi2a7ohNzm0ilkg9-xGobKg74SFjwAsdTsJWfg92Ha~5C6C094zvutt3GO2E-8c-gDvN89QCrT0gYOJmfJ6dpSowsIORHy2SGUQaEQbDtwgPpxObXAjCxCVshXQLm4qbokhUq0d~EyAQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Greg Teeter, speaking for Parkville Water District, gave Lake County commissioners a broad briefing on the district’s water supplies, system condition and planned projects during the Jan. 20 work session.

Teeter said Parkville maintains a portfolio of senior surface‑water rights — some dating to the 1860s — and several groundwater sources including a Canterbury mine‑tunnel well that the district drilled in 2012 to stabilize winter supply. The district reports roughly 2,727 service connections and about 30 miles of mains and service lines in its system.

Infrastructure needs: Teeter said much of the distribution network is old — including an 1879 cast‑iron main and multiple galvanized and copper service lines — and that the district has significant losses to address. He described upcoming work to remove and replace five blocks of water main on the upper East Sixth Street corridor, a project he estimated at about $2 million. That project includes bypass and jumper lines to keep supply flowing during construction.

Funding and grants: Parkville has secured a $1 million Mineral Impact grant for the Sixth/Seventh Street replacement and is seeking other state and federal funding. Teeter said the district has spent roughly $50 million on plant upgrades in recent decades and has an annual budget of just under $6 million. The district’s average daily production capacity is over 4,000,000 gallons with typical demand that has not exceeded about 1,200,000 gallons per day in recent years.

Reservoirs, wells and future projects: Teeter described three modern wells near the Arkansas River with combined capacity near 1,000,000 gallons per day and two high‑elevation reservoirs on Mosquito Pass that provide storage. He said the district is considering developing an undeveloped surface water right at Iowa Gulch with a treatment plant in the next decade, and discussed a longstanding plan to transfer agricultural‑use water from Empire Gulch to irrigate about 12 acres at the golf course pending installation of measuring devices and telemetry.

Public‑health testing: Teeter said the district’s PFAS (per‑ and polyfluoroalkyl substances) sampling — five rounds of raw and treated water testing — did not find PFAS in Parkville’s water; he said other systems in the county have detected PFAS and are scrambling to plan treatment.

Service‑line impacts and homeowner costs: Teeter noted the district owns service from the main to the right‑of‑way and homeowners own the lateral beyond that point. Construction is revealing private‑side issues, including multiple houses tied to a single lateral; Teeter said that separation work has affected a small number of properties so far and can be expensive for homeowners.

Ending: Teeter said the district is willing to collaborate with the county on projects to use local water rights, improve irrigation options and coordinate street and utility work. He encouraged commissioners to contact the district for tours and follow‑up and offered to meet individual commissioners for site visits.

Quote: “We have plenty of water to put in the pipes. The hard part is to keep it in pipes,” Teeter said, summarizing the district’s situation.","Greg Teeter described Parkville Water District’s sources, senior water rights and a program of main replacements and reservoir work, and warned that while the district has water supply, much of the distribution system is aged and will require multimillion‑dollar replacements and grant funding.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Leadville sanitation district lays out multi‑year pipe replacements and $16M plant rehab

Leadville Fire outlines training center, resident‑firefighter program and capital needs

CSU Extension reopens Lake County office and seeks community input on local programs

Forest Service ranger outlines wildfire mitigation, recreation management and funding gaps for Leadville district

Parkville Water District outlines water‑rights portfolio and aging pipeline repairs