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Pueblo West staff outline proposed purchase of reserve land and water shares; residents ask for community input
Summary
District staff described a proposed purchase of roughly 504 acres and 52 paired water shares for $360,000, saying the acquisition would prevent development unsupported by firm water yield; nearby residents asked for consultation and assurances about future access and use.
PUEBLO WEST — Staff told the board April 14 they had negotiated terms to buy approximately 504 acres of undeveloped land in the Reserve and 52 paired shares of Colorado Canal/Lake Meredith water for a combined purchase price of $360,000, with $340,000 expected from the water enterprise and $20,000 from the general fund.
Deputy directors said the water shares do not provide firm yield (the reliable water the state counts for new development) and that average yields for the shares have declined over the last 25 years, making the land a poor candidate for future residential subdivision if the district wished to serve it with reliable water. Staff described the purchase as a step to remove the immediate development pressure and the long‑term risk of creating additional five‑acre parcels without firm water.
Residents from the Reserve told the board they wanted assurance that any future use would not reduce lot sizes for existing owners or open new access through the Reserve that would change traffic or neighborhood character. Staff said the district does not plan near‑term development and would involve local residents in any future planning; they also acknowledged that title checks and further due diligence would be required to confirm covenants or HOA applicability.
Board members said they will be mindful of community concerns; staff noted the transaction would require a mid‑year budget amendment and that closing conditions remain to be completed. No formal purchase vote was taken at the April 14 meeting; staff sought preliminary direction on moving forward with due diligence and negotiation.
Why it matters: The proposed acquisition would remove land and marginal water rights from private development potential and could preserve open space or allow district uses in the future, but it raises questions about community access, covenant enforcement and the district’s long‑term land‑use role.
