Planning commission backs Johnstown’s 30‑inch raw‑water pipeline through Larimer County

The Larimer County Planning Commission on Feb. 12 unanimously recommended that the Board of County Commissioners approve the Town of Johnstown’s Article 10.41 permit for a 30‑inch buried raw‑water pipeline and pump station to deliver water from Lone Tree Reservoir to Johnstown’s treatment plant.

What was proposed and why Johnstown proposed a 30‑inch pressurized raw‑water pipeline totaling roughly 10 miles from Lone Tree Reservoir to the town’s water treatment plant; about 3.4 miles of that alignment cross unincorporated Larimer County. The project includes a pump station at the reservoir (four submersible pumps and a small building), buried pipeline, and temporary construction easements; the applicant estimates roughly 24.5 acres of disturbance for the whole project in the county portion.

Town staff and consultants told the commission the pipeline is sized to support Johnstown’s planned water‑treatment plant expansion (from 6 million gallons per day toward 12 million and an ultimate design capacity near 21 million gallons per day) and to add redundancy so the town is not reliant on the open ditch delivery during non‑irrigation months. Town representatives said the proposed alignment avoids mapped wetlands, floodplains and minimizes long‑term impacts to private property.

Alternatives and community outreach Johnstown examined multiple alignments. Staff recapped three alternatives considered in the application packet: (a) a northern alignment paralleling County Road 144/Second Street, (b) a route largely along State Highway 60, and (c) the town’s preferred alignment which combines several factors and avoids wetlands and mapped resources. The applicant said it adjusted the preferred alignment after community outreach: multiple neighborhood meetings and a June community meeting where landowner concerns prompted changes to reduce impacts.

Referral comments, mitigation and conditions The town sent the application to 26 referral agencies; 11 responded with comments. Larimer County engineering and health staff provided standard technical conditions. Conditions of approval recommended by staff include standard construction permits, traffic and road use requirements, erosion and sediment controls, CPW consultation for wildlife (including buffer measures for active bald eagle territories near the pump station), and post‑construction reclamation and revegetation measures. The staff report included 45 conditions overall, and the Planning Commission packet listed the engineering, health, and construction permits that will be required prior to construction.

Public comment and outstanding issues One nearby property owner (a commercial landowner represented by Journey Homes) submitted a written objection and said they would not grant an easement; the town said it was engaging in one‑on‑one discussions and expected to work through property‑specific concerns. Commissioners asked whether the rail crossing and some easements were secured; staff and the applicant said some agency approvals (including railroad coordination and CDOT permitting for highway bores) are still to be completed and are conditions for technical review.

Timing and next steps The town estimated construction on the pump station and pipeline could occur between 2025 and 2028, with the pump station requiring roughly a year of construction. The Planning Commission’s unanimous recommendation now goes to the Board of County Commissioners. If the Board approves the 10.41 permit, the applicant will proceed to the more detailed technical review and must secure the many required permits, easements, and construction approvals (railroad permit/bores, CDOT permits, ditch‑company approvals, and local road permits) before construction.

Ending Johnstown’s pipeline is intended to increase water delivery reliability as the town grows. The commission’s unanimous recommendation advances the project to the Board of County Commissioners, who will weigh the staff‑recommended conditions, outstanding easement negotiations and interagency permits in their final decision.