Arapahoe County panel approves Rangeview Metro’s Box Elder Well Field 2 amid local concerns

Arapahoe County Planning Commission on March 4 approved Rangeview Metro District’s Box Elder Well Field 2 and pipeline project, a location-and-extent application (LE24-003) that would build four alluvial horizontal wells and a roughly five-mile, 24-inch transmission main connecting to Lowry Ridge Storage Pond.

The project was approved 4-3 after a staff presentation, an applicant briefing and public comment. Commissioner Morehouse moved to approve the application; Commissioner Latsis seconded. The motion passed on a roll call vote of 4–3.

County staff presenter Kate Hammer said staff’s findings conclude the application “generally conforms to the comprehensive plan” and meets the Arapahoe County Land Development Code and Lowry sub-area plan policies. Hammer told commissioners the pipeline and wells would be installed on six sections of land owned by the Colorado State Land Board and would follow an existing utility corridor.

Brent Brier, an engineer with Pure Cycle representing Rangeview Metro District, described the project as a renewable water source for anticipated growth east of Aurora. Brier said the proposal calls for four horizontal alluvial wells with 12-inch vertical casings extending about 25 feet and roughly…