[{"_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",6509682,"mediaKeyId","5420396-87a277a0e853477a7aa6d9a1bca5e3ca","parentId",5420396,"title","Aurora supports amendment to pursue facilitated flushing at Strontia Springs; Army Corps permit required","audioSeconds",183,"startMs",1316000,"endMs",1499000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5420396-87a277a0e853477a7aa6d9a1bca5e3ca&start=1316&end=1499","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5420396-87a277a0e853477a7aa6d9a1bca5e3ca/thumbnail_1316000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6509682/Aurora-City/Douglas-County/Colorado/Aurora-supports-amendment-to-pursue-facilitated-flushing-at-Strontia-Springs-Army-Corps-permit-required","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6509682-1a06568cd56b1d1605fd0a941c41a4c4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771028074&Signature=OUlYb-qFAaaUpemP48tEOskofMy~BQNZ2WyHfOCtYkBJQvNLiP7Ma2dI8GbtBnyWKPQJBehWHdHT-PKq~aLLEW5Tn-Zlq6SBDw~HdjYBKEAtLIQn8DxBlfq~7SKj8Z-rPTfvAMSn5MCLC2ptD621iomVcYs6bG7gYsYBy6-g5HQ66BXeNaOF0J407ABZeLrug5NqE3QR5CkWkU2oEof84merKFOXU3uQkc7U9NG5ITUDI5MQ6rlXBpSlbqUB0~QrNjCRQWV-2MrPvSwg1u46bH8Z92aEodF~FBTbW6i07jejYSRiA5QqigWTe5rd~RIX9OJJ3M2O7nnKeJqPmJ~5PA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Aurora City, CO","date","2025-07-17T09:04:49.8Z","article","Aurora Water staff presented an amendment request for the Strontia Springs deep sediment removal project that would allow Denver Water to pursue a facilitated‑flushing alternative instead of the originally designed mechanical dredging.

Matthew Allsopp, the source of supply superintendent, described the facilitated flushing method as using the dam's emergency reservoir draining system (ERDS) combined with a dredge pump and water jetting agitator to move sediment downstream. Staff said facilitated flushing could offer cost savings and environmental benefits relative to the mechanical removal design but requires a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permit and an uncertain approval timetable.

Why it matters: Aurora's share of the current deep sediment project was presented as $1.3 million under the original plan. Staff estimated Aurora's share if facilitated flushing is used could be about $330,000, implying roughly a $1 million savings for the city, though staff cautioned these are rough estimates and that the Army Corps would likely require best‑management practices to limit downstream sediment transport.

If the Army Corps denies the permit, staff said the project would revert to the original mechanical dredging schedule, which staff said would likely be completed in 2029–2030 to accommodate coordination with treatment plant outages.

Outcome: the committee moved an amendment extension forward so Denver Water can pursue the Army Corps permit for the facilitated flushing alternative; staff said Denver Water will pursue the permit and report back on outcomes.

Ending: staff emphasized the uncertainty in the permit timeline and said the facilitated option could reduce Aurora's share if approved, but that mechanical dredging is the fallback if permit approval is denied.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Water Policy Committee Meeting July 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Staff described a change in the Strontia Springs deep sediment removal design to a facilitated flushing alternative that could save about $1 million of Aurora's estimated share but requires a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permit; the committee moved an extension of the IGA forward to allow permit pursuit.","taxTitle","Aurora City, Douglas County, Colorado","taxId",5767,"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},6509686,"Aurora to join USGS study of South Platte and Cherry Creek water quality with $45,000 contribution",144,943000,1087000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5420396-87a277a0e853477a7aa6d9a1bca5e3ca&start=943&end=1087","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5420396-87a277a0e853477a7aa6d9a1bca5e3ca/thumbnail_943000.jpg","/articles/6509686/Aurora-City/Douglas-County/Colorado/Aurora-to-join-USGS-study-of-South-Platte-and-Cherry-Creek-water-quality-with-45000-contribution","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6509686-7ba7c63f92b6f1230800673033476263/orig.mp4?Expires=1771028074&Signature=GeAd6bwx7FEF0ZtLCdO1xQHVwbhYN8eMhpJltJJUn-5SAsobNo2ckX0QAVMah5KMSF22mVlT3iMN9Cl7z7QK2lu0g8UdAEhZzO-kvpfDiL59faxG9h~rWzZ-I433SHNKy-26S-Yb3xAyJnWR3-il7oJYe03p9ecpoyi4ep1AuA0CPunUgsKvwOgBpE7ZpwnFWMUY2AdV-ojBUL~HTn-AQgWIYsqodyTRWY4~ViXSMFcs4Mba8VdikuGljtmY4ZwBq8blhGZN8Cm1O5TWq8kHLk9GiyxfQ5aRip4t3qzNrD8vQAcpL~2c~8uq0BNhg2W9mj~4a4Ot3PBzEtZpSEUXww__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Aurora staff presented an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) request to jointly fund a U.S. Geological Survey study of water quality in the South Platte (from Chatfield downstream to upstream of the Prairie Waters facility) and the Cherry Creek reach.

Rich Bidmore, presenting for the project, said the USGS will perform a Lagrangian study to track sources of point and nonpoint constituents such as nitrates and phosphorus under different flow regimes. Aurora's requested contribution is $15,000 per year for three years (a $45,000 total contribution). Denver Water is also participating via a separate IGA, Bidmore said.

Why it matters: staff said the study will update baselines from a 2020 USGS study and could identify nonpoint sources that might be candidates for mitigation projects (for example, wetlands or stormwater projects). Staff noted potential regulatory consequences if nutrient loads are found to exceed standards enforced by state regulators but said the immediate aim is to better understand sources and inform partners.

Outcome: the committee moved the IGA forward to the study session for further review.

Ending: staff said USGS will provide reports and presentations over the three-year study and that Aurora will use the findings to inform its water quality planning around Prairie Waters.","Aurora agreed to jointly fund a three‑year USGS Lagrangian study of nitrates and phosphorus in the South Platte and Cherry Creek reach, contributing $15,000 per year for three years to receive reports and presentations; the committee moved the intergovernmental agreement to study session.",{"_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},6509692,"Aurora to reimburse developer $268,945 for regional stormwater improvements built in 2020",200,731000,931000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5420396-87a277a0e853477a7aa6d9a1bca5e3ca&start=731&end=931","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5420396-87a277a0e853477a7aa6d9a1bca5e3ca/thumbnail_731000.jpg","/articles/6509692/Aurora-City/Douglas-County/Colorado/Aurora-to-reimburse-developer-268945-for-regional-stormwater-improvements-built-in-2020","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6509692-52b1b350b12b66da3bd23e55e7801b82/orig.mp4?Expires=1771028074&Signature=KXAfkygyRzZ1JUi~1GsRvcFCQI8DWp6pVlRNtcH8zrFWMDrRGAs2gzIvwcZESuXah3uEhNGEa7G7TrcD4lZFsEpriOYYnbzriHJxJOhET4M~DQxxcxmFO0a53c9PRnpQ0bKCgekOqnWRQdRuAYjSDi32P~p9dEA4ta0MQwKzpfA10l5KPzyi6A~B97wKGPz96tEXuklAiIBBoDziQpVyMjF6mloFw-ixgCWrhgPLYMHTHHt8Zk5DWb9908mUUNdQD7J8xdVaNFImH2t8TDlG-U2F6OM~1DkIzS4vP3sAdhDwFbM61oc9M0PazPJLwW7I-niuSpckT8SUzZQPjkQptw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Aurora Water on Wednesday presented a reimbursement agreement to pay HULand LLC $268,945 for four regional improvements built in 2020 near Piccadilly, Sixth Avenue and Stephen D. Hogan.

The payment covers actual costs and receipts submitted by the developer for work Aurora requested beyond the developer's site needs, staff said. Jenny Wynne, a utility review engineer in the Planning and Engineering Division, described the four improvements: a 30‑inch steel water line lowering in Sixth Avenue, a 16‑inch reuse water line lowering and relocation, and two box culverts (one under Stephen D. Hogan and one under Piccadilly) constructed to convey future regional storm flows toward Coal Creek.

Why it matters: Aurora Water said the improvements are regional in nature — constructed to accommodate future parallel storm infrastructure — and therefore eligible for reimbursement. Staff said the work and its warranty period had been completed (final acceptance warranty expired Feb. 28, 2022) and that the cost was budgeted from 2022 stormwater funds.

Staff recommended paying HU Land LLC the lump sum. Committee members raised no substantive objections and the chair said the item would move forward for finalization.

Ending: staff said the reimbursement will be paid upon finalization of the agreement; the amount was determined from the developer's submitted receipts.","Aurora Water staff presented a reimbursement agreement to pay HULand LLC $268,945 for regional stormwater and related improvements constructed in 2020; committee moved the agreement forward for finalization.",{"_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},6509696,"Aurora pauses Wildhorse land acquisitions while BLM, tribes and NEPA process continue",424,149000,573000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5420396-87a277a0e853477a7aa6d9a1bca5e3ca&start=149&end=573","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5420396-87a277a0e853477a7aa6d9a1bca5e3ca/thumbnail_149000.jpg","/articles/6509696/Aurora-City/Douglas-County/Colorado/Aurora-pauses-Wildhorse-land-acquisitions-while-BLM-tribes-and-NEPA-process-continue","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6509696-3c14845ce7075437abb912cf32cfbdaf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771028075&Signature=amNx6sk77jabmJLFYB~8xwLVfB0bP0Uv1Tx6CmMf2a0iJute6iKNqKvB4T0yp-MSRg4iFZt0GyXYAeHBP7KhqJYnJjZTbkpKuvEOblWe8IruG2PadyxfMtrw52pofroFl3gKel7hTdOg-QOZm9VV6BNxtpbMwLSm8bHlN1YEAOlgoowZbkdu8VThqcAO8DOqluK8yA-t99Ky6N4fm~mFxq0e5k~nBC8MyCgNiw6JsHzgbk-RdqumV1HCVT5RH1lgtXCZfPx-1o~nLQx4UYBfHBIavcW714-uZRbuy3pNueJQeCCYifzOzttlzHy2lvlc5XAlHwaT7XLuNybCD4vDxg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Aurora City staff told the Water Policy Committee on Wednesday that land acquisitions for the proposed Wildhorse reservoir are paused while permitting and federal reviews continue.

Staff said the city still hopes the Bureau of Land Management will begin a notice‑of‑intent phase early next year, but federal rule changes and the ongoing NEPA regulatory review mean timelines and procedures remain uncertain. \"We're still on schedule so far based on the conversation we had last time and are still hoping for a notice of intent process to get started early next year,\" staff member Sarah said.

Why it matters: staff said the NEPA process will include analysis of a proposed action plus alternatives, and that the BLM will evaluate wetlands, natural resources and socioeconomic impacts for each alternative. Staff said between seven and nine tribes have expressed interest in participating in on‑site evaluations in the coming months.

Land acquisitions paused: staff said the city had been negotiating for a \"handful\" of small parcels (five parcels) that would have required condemnation steps; those negotiations are paused while the city confirms the selected project area with the BLM.

Costs and delays: committee members asked staff to track the financial impacts of permitting delays. Staff agreed to track costs and provide periodic updates. During the same discussion a participant said the original project cost estimate had been roughly $300 million and that a later rough estimate approached $1 billion; staff said time delays and other factors drive some cost increases, and that staff will break out costs attributable to regulatory changes where possible.

What happens next: staff said they are collecting data and providing the BLM with wetlands, natural resources, tribal engagement and socioeconomic studies so the EIS process can analyze alternatives. Staff said they would report back at the next meeting if anything materially changes.

Ending: committee members urged staff to continue outreach to federal agencies and to document delay costs; staff said they would report updates and any major regulatory changes.","City staff said land purchases for the Wildhorse reservoir project are on hold while the Bureau of Land Management's NEPA review and tribal site evaluations continue; staff said five small parcels slated for condemnation negotiations are paused and that tribes, wetlands and socioeconomic studies are underway.",{"_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},6509702,"Aurora water officials propose shrinking planning boundary, warn of multi‑billion dollar supply gap",3867,1533000,5400000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5420396-87a277a0e853477a7aa6d9a1bca5e3ca&start=1533&end=5400","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5420396-87a277a0e853477a7aa6d9a1bca5e3ca/thumbnail_1533000.jpg","/articles/6509702/Aurora-City/Douglas-County/Colorado/Aurora-water-officials-propose-shrinking-planning-boundary-warn-of-multibillion-dollar-supply-gap","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6509702-927d75d48f3768c55b6a2c883e924b00/orig.mp4?Expires=1771028075&Signature=je8AbvqRsZu~OGVXL4Mql5n3LMgRNstGooSlbHhrBdGWQvTUA7B6WSOpkaXkhWgBFILFsnDvDlh1BKIZzK0uIsiDP6nu6VvUXvVZWfvYz4QC6yikhTwfSauxH26ocWXmoI5YH8d~SmmhbeL3noPPtpHheHnlC9L0MmhX8f5Kx6IwvOl2vtY4ktcXkkW3LPKx~s81yB8QnUaVMrl3zk2UGKcPEG3B80z8ZqdLbRkEYiLGG2YNedkNUQdTmm6anmQUJbKlAs9kLiPM39-DhjIdNhs1uvf6Wlr1vPBafkstXFvzwlIZRUrtY3NdgvKQAeeHxt5LDY5CeYSxtk5U39aCuQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Aurora City water officials on Wednesday told the Water Policy Committee that accelerating demand and shrinking water supplies leave the city facing a large future shortfall unless planners trim the area they expect to serve and press ahead with costly supply projects.

The presentation, billed “Growth with Intention,” summarized the Integrated Water Master Plan (IWMP). Staff said the IWMP projects population growth of roughly 40% over 20 years and estimates a future need of roughly 23,000–25,000 acre‑feet over 35 years driven by growth and system losses.

Why it matters: staff said rising evaporation and stream losses tied to warming are reducing usable supplies even where precipitation is unchanged, and regional competition for remaining supplies makes new large projects more expensive and uncertain.

Staff described current and future supplies in the city’s planning models: current treated withdrawals are shown near 93,000 acre‑feet (which includes system losses and contractual commitments), distribution volumes are closer to 55,000–60,000 acre‑feet, and Prairie Waters and other planned projects are shown as partial offsets. Officials said stream losses have climbed (from roughly 10% in 2012 to nearly 20% in recent years), amplifying the effect of any supply reductions.

The presentation laid out supply options and constraints:
- Mountain supplies (Upper South Platte and Colorado River basin) are effectively tapped out; the Eagle River project was described as “a 100 times harder” than the Wildhorse proposal and not relied upon.
- The city has roughly 10,000 acre‑feet available from Arkansas Basin farm purchases, with about 7,500 acre‑feet reliable in 3 of 10 years under current agreements.
- “Portfolio E,” an aspirational combination of Lower South Platte acquisitions and infrastructure, would require roughly $680 million in water acquisition capital and total capital in a range staff presented as approximately $1 billion to $2.7 billion to implement by 2055, depending on what outcomes are achieved.

Staff proposals and next steps: staff said they will recommend a phased policy package to council including: no new extraterritorial service agreements; no emergency connections outside city limits; trimming the current planning‑area boundary by roughly half (about 20 square miles removed from the current planning area); and a future second phase that could include tighter policies on water use within annexed areas. Staff said the trimming is intended to reduce future obligations and focus the city’s capital and acquisition plans on areas it realistically can serve.

Officials stressed that trimming the planning area is not a land‑use seizure and that property rights and existing commitments must be respected. Staff said additional analysis will be needed before any changes are finalized and that they will return with concrete recommendations for council review.

On conservation and landscaping, staff discussed possible policy tightening for turf and public parks (including stronger limits on “nonfunctional” turf and incentives or requirements for lower‑water turf or artificial turf for high‑use sports fields). They also noted maintenance tradeoffs: low‑water landscaping can reduce irrigation but requires different weed control and outreach to residents and property managers.

What’s next: staff said they will present a formal recommendation to council after additional analysis; they described the work as phase 1 of a multi‑stage process that could include further reductions to the planning boundary and additional policies on annexations and landscape standards.

Ending: committee members asked for follow‑up on which portions of the green (annexed future growth areas) might be candidates for non‑irrigated uses and on how trimmed areas would be identified. Staff said they would return with more detailed maps and recommendations.","City water staff told the Aurora City Water Policy Committee that projected population growth and shrinking supplies mean the city should trim its planning-area boundary, limit extraterritorial service and pursue aggressive conservation and supply projects that could cost hundreds of millions to billions of dollars.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Aurora supports amendment to pursue facilitated flushing at Strontia Springs; Army Corps permit required

Aurora to join USGS study of South Platte and Cherry Creek water quality with $45,000 contribution

Aurora to reimburse developer $268,945 for regional stormwater improvements built in 2020

Aurora pauses Wildhorse land acquisitions while BLM, tribes and NEPA process continue

Aurora water officials propose shrinking planning boundary, warn of multi‑billion dollar supply gap