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Desert Hawk board, county coordinate on manager transition and $3.75M–$5.3M sprinkler replacement estimate
Summary
Pueblo West directors received updates on Desert Hawk Golf Course: a manager’s contract is expiring (manager intends to retire March 2026), the sprinkler system replacement estimate ranges from $3.75 million (system) to $5.3 million (including pumps and earthwork), and staff will pursue closer leak measurement and short-term valve replacements.
Pueblo West staff briefed the board on recent Desert Hawk Golf Course discussions, including a forthcoming manager transition, large estimated costs to replace the sprinkler system, and efforts to pinpoint leaks and identify shorter-term, lower-cost fixes.
Staff reported the current manager, Mr. Zaremba, has indicated an intention to retire in March 2026. The Desert Hawk Golf Course board is exploring operational models for transitioning management, including joint ownership or different staffing models, and will consider whether to open a hiring process in early 2026 to have new leadership in place by March.
Staff summarized engineering and cost estimates for the irrigation/sprinkler system. The board heard two figures: a probable cost for the sprinkler replacement itself of about $3,750,000, and a higher total estimate of approximately $5,300,000 when pump systems and earthwork are included; staff noted these remain opinions of probable cost and could change after detailed design.
Board members discussed lower-cost interim measures: one speaker said replacement of 22–24 isolation valves could improve manageability for about $60,000 (board member cited roughly $2,000–$2,300 per valve). Staff said they will arrange a closer leak measurement by pausing irrigation for 24 hours to better estimate actual losses and then prioritize valve replacement and other measures.
No formal board decisions on funding or management structure were recorded in the transcript excerpt. Staff said the Desert Hawk board will continue meeting quarterly and could accelerate meeting frequency if transition planning requires it; staff and board members said they will continue work on budgeting, leak measurement, and replacement-phasing options.
