[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6462153,"mediaKeyId","5811891-49932d3af3ad96eb6068240a06c01357","parentId",5811891,"title","Consultants report groundwater inventory and draft timeline for Douglas County water plan","audioSeconds",338,"startMs",4102000,"endMs",4440000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5811891-49932d3af3ad96eb6068240a06c01357&start=4102&end=4440","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5811891-49932d3af3ad96eb6068240a06c01357/thumbnail_4102000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6462153/Douglas-County/Colorado/Consultants-report-groundwater-inventory-and-draft-timeline-for-Douglas-County-water-plan","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6462153-f1d8daa584c0cc095c0a625729fc8237/orig.mp4?Expires=1773144405&Signature=JCV90p2sx-6dVvASTO-MLfTO7ui9vv8pFHsmqVdYodJXo6LQvYnSuvXDQz0Yvku8CKBA28184-O2s~mXuPP6WQN2zu5XRZIBXQ~AKVE3lsWrphbrzDsIXUqRTrMG1k7aOh~fCyuRc9cqXM2F5WVlI5kUNtryzvq8fwkwVKUhwoYo17VKXDRo~~44neubvAv7pGHsfW6Ogb29MDND31AUrx1E8ilDQr7vUcp4ktgPxK6vDHWcaTlj~OoJIpd8Pp9m9vlbdS66TaUpBYqRSrAy1UmQQvdWJlbbcElMB80HxJjv9YIvcLV6IxKjxT6uJGPmemjEj~r3rptwR94tMZZnzQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Douglas County","date","2025-09-22T23:34:20.237Z","article","Will Koger of Forsgren Associates briefed the Douglas County Water Commission on Sept. 22 about progress on the county water master plan and groundwater analysis.

Koger said Forsgren has compiled provider survey responses and is working to reconcile differing growth projections from the state demographer and the county comprehensive plan. The team has completed a Denver Basin groundwater volume computation for Douglas County using the state’s Senate Bill 5 criteria and has categorized more than 9,450 Denver Basin wells in the county by aquifer and usage type.

Koger told commissioners the project will move from Phase 1 (demand and supply analysis) into Phase 2 (land‑use policy analysis). Forsgren examined Colorado case studies for county and municipal policies around conservation and is drafting recommendations for Douglas County staff review. He said the consultants plan to vet material with focus groups before public release and expected a public‑facing draft in the spring following that vetting. In the meeting Koger said the team is still assembling some provider inputs but expects to discuss draft recommendations with county staff in a meeting scheduled the following week.

Commissioner Trisha Bernhardt asked whether the plan’s policy work would include discussion of growth and land‑use policies; Koger responded that the current scope focuses on water‑use and conservation policies and that “as for the growth policies, that's not really on the table for our discussion on water issues.” Bernhardt replied that land‑use and growth policy were important to water outcomes and urged the consultants and county staff to consider the connection.

Commissioner Clark Hamillman asked about timing and outreach. Koger said the team’s plan is to present draft materials to focus groups and to prepare a package for commissioners and stakeholders to use for local briefings in the spring.

Ending: Forsgren will continue integrating provider projections with demographic inputs, finalize the groundwater calculations already completed under SB‑5, and prepare focus‑group briefings ahead of a public draft expected after early 2024 vetting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Douglas County Water Commission Meeting – September 22, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Will Koger of Forsgren Associates told the Douglas County Water Commission that consultants have quantified Denver Basin groundwater in the county under Senate Bill 5 criteria and are reconciling provider projections with differing demographic forecasts.","taxTitle","Douglas County, Colorado","taxId",4194,"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},6462158,"Parker Water director outlines supplies, conservation steps and Platte Valley plan",3642,368000,4010000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5811891-49932d3af3ad96eb6068240a06c01357&start=368&end=4010","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5811891-49932d3af3ad96eb6068240a06c01357/thumbnail_368000.jpg","/articles/6462158/Douglas-County/Colorado/Parker-Water-director-outlines-supplies-conservation-steps-and-Platte-Valley-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6462158-0dfd309031e9b61027e23e42858c8f20/orig.mp4?Expires=1773144405&Signature=PEsGiKcWzDz2ZEGQLA9jeauEarZzzHlxjrjZ5RB410T1FfqQNEPMCNn6V8rTrKQK6kwY6wBtPbFVtRencPD5C5nAua97f-Qq9idKajIQnJpf6euQZUxXLuz8wPkTH~rytJeJ6Sb7Y06rw4wchJqsiM7TIQ0uaDP7iNUvsmlrvCIshdcX25wxXhpmjtYaej406b6uOcHna0PlpiO7MB7eAQUgNJQMK8McfA24ryflINBcFKCag9nIOYrIJAp0BSv5WLpwOQn7JNiSiPLCNnN1ns2VYLK0dUoI4eeFV0JT9jdiUQsiCjECuoE6Q~WckA~z~B2qKoZ7Uww0iLddbl5-Tg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ron Redd, director of the Parker Water and Sanitation District, told the Douglas County Water Commission on Sept. 22 that Parker has a multi‑source water portfolio and is pursuing partnerships and conservation measures to meet rapid growth.

Redd said Parker’s portfolio includes roughly 39,000 acre‑feet of Denver Basin groundwater “on paper,” Cherry Creek native flows averaging about 4,500 acre‑feet per year, roughly 1,000 acre‑feet of Cherry Creek alluvial water, about 4,800 acre‑feet of legally credited reuse in current operation (with build‑out above 10,000 acre‑feet), 1,600 acre‑feet of WISE water, and a junior 2019 South Platte water right of about 9,400 acre‑feet located near Sterling. He also described about 5,000 acre‑feet of senior agricultural rights Parker owns in the Sterling/ILiff area that would require water‑court action to use municipally.

Why it matters: Parker is growing and the district’s infrastructure must meet high seasonal peaks. Redd said Parker’s current average day demand is about 10 million gallons per day (MGD) and peak day demand is about 25 MGD; buildout projections through about 2050 put average day demand at about 21 MGD and peak day above 55 MGD if current practices continue. Redd told the commission that reducing peak demand is the single most effective way to avoid large future capital costs.

The district described several demand‑management tools and programs. Parker has a full advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) roll‑out to all customers and reports about half of accounts are signed up to use the customer notification platform (AquaHawk) to detect leaks and unusual use. Redd gave an example: “we knew within 15 minutes and it was fixed within 4 hours” when an irrigation valve dumped water into a storm drain. Parker offers Slow the Flow evaluations, a popular “Garden in a Box” xeric planting program, turf‑removal rebates (in partnership with South Metro), controller/sensor rebates, and an inclining residential rate structure meant to mimic a water budget.

On reuse and storage, Redd said Parker is building pipeline and capture infrastructure to move treated reuse water and other sources into Rueter‑Hess Reservoir. He said current permitting requires treated reuse to return to Cherry Creek, and that state permitting capacity is a constraint: “they will if you haven't heard, they're behind, and they think they can get to us in about 3 years.” Redd described Parker’s work to reduce phosphorus from roughly 0.2 mg/L natural background down to 0.05 mg/L for reuse storage, a costly treatment step.

Long‑term supply projects: Redd outlined the Platte Valley partnership, a proposed Lower South Platte project that pairs municipal need with agricultural water rights. Under the plan Parker and partners estimate average annual yields of roughly 17,000 acre‑feet each in good years and would store or convey that water to benefit both agriculture and municipal users. Parker remains in water court on its filings; Redd said his team and Castle Rock are aiming for an October 2026 consolidated water‑court date, though he said negotiations with objectors continue and he expects settlement is possible before the date.

Groundwater and credits: Redd described 39 active Denver Basin wells in Parker’s system (about 16.3 MGD capacity today, rising toward 18 MGD as wells under construction come online) and emphasized groundwater as a drought‑bridging supply. He also described Parker’s developer credit policy: varying credit for Dawson, Arapahoe and Laramie‑Fox Hills wells and surcharges for lower‑quality or costly water sources to reflect realistic yield and treatment costs.

Recreation and partnerships: Redd highlighted the Rueter‑Hess Recreation Authority, a multi‑jurisdictional partnership with Douglas County and nearby cities that funds recreation improvements at Rueter‑Hess Reservoir without raising Parker’s water rates. He said the reservoir drew about 72,800 visits in its first eight months of public programming this year, including 7,000 reservoir visits and more than 3,500 special events.

Quotes: “I don't know. It's dark down there,” Redd said referring to uncertainty in translating Denver Basin paper water to reliable annual yield. He added that owning a junior 2019 right out east and other supplies “is why I sleep good at night.”

What’s next: Redd said Parker is finishing a water‑resource plan (targeted for 2026), continuing water‑court work on the Platte Valley filing, pursuing reuse permitting and building pipeline capture, and developing more aggressive turf‑reduction expectations for future development.

Ending: Commissioners asked questions about crediting, the scope of a proposed conveyance pipeline (Redd gave an estimated length of about 120 miles for one long conveyance alternative and a diameter in the 30–36‑inch range), permitting timelines for reuse, and the role of the Perkins Canal on compact obligations. Redd closed by thanking county and municipal partners and urging continued interagency coordination on storage and exchanges.","Ron Redd, director of the Parker Water and Sanitation District, told the Douglas County Water Commission on Sept. 22 that Parker has a multi‑source water portfolio and is pursuing partnerships and conservation measures to meet rapid growth.",{"_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},6462148,"Douglas County Water Commission approves August minutes; staff proposes holiday meeting schedule",25,306000,331000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5811891-49932d3af3ad96eb6068240a06c01357&start=306&end=331","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5811891-49932d3af3ad96eb6068240a06c01357/thumbnail_306000.jpg","/articles/6462148/Douglas-County/Colorado/Douglas-County-Water-Commission-approves-August-minutes-staff-proposes-holiday-meeting-schedule","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6462148-b92a94996a4edecb84952327a0a57360/orig.mp4?Expires=1773144405&Signature=NFfrjDyO5aZLMA3CDPACdw7lxBVpw1hBOka1RpzXWxV-b9QDWEOf-ZWHERZMbOuTWGRX7cHef1Hxmo8C8bcGipDN7xOsyqrLoPrfpSHtleXS6yLFhW8U2XeWc8FnVceS8n9JTTWkKsY03Rh5Kfz5UHEug3RIoTUxjPUMWQObLtiPW157MhR2zD7zp2dccNRn8906J~ZJB~nbzUjSu9ihA2dZK-gvsWzyKip76LZ4wrwZdpeNgw4R0GRHBd3gPn8-~HlI5wltpMDqGSvWyz0et~sLdw5t-Umx4DhmTCYHV0DzblE4tvQ6CpehVrLVqMoT~FOYCqzi8v2Renp3MLaWKQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Douglas County Water Commission on Sept. 22 approved the minutes for its Aug. 25 meeting and discussed calendar changes for the November and December meetings.

Commissioner Jim Morris moved to approve the Aug. 25 minutes; Commissioner Clark Hamillman seconded. The chair called the vote: all those in favor said “aye”; no nays or abstentions were recorded and the motion passed.

County staff (identified on the record as Katie) told the commission that November and December meetings were scheduled in the third week of those months rather than the fourth to avoid holiday conflicts. Commissioners acknowledged the change; several asked staff to note the meeting dates and to expect a draft of the county water master plan in the subsequent months (consultants said a public draft would follow focus‑group vetting in the spring).

The commission adjourned at 5:45 p.m.","The commission approved the Aug. 25 minutes, and staff asked members to note that November and December meetings will move to the third week of the month because of holidays.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Consultants report groundwater inventory and draft timeline for Douglas County water plan

Parker Water director outlines supplies, conservation steps and Platte Valley plan

Douglas County Water Commission approves August minutes; staff proposes holiday meeting schedule