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Aurora to add $8.4 million to First Creek detention project; Mile High Flood District to add $1.4M
Summary
Aurora Water told the Water Policy Committee it will increase its contribution to the First Creek regional detention project upstream of I‑70 by $8.4 million; Mile High Flood District will add $1.4 million this year, bringing the project fund to $29,398,000. The committee voted to move the amendment forward to regular council.
Aurora Water staff told the Water Policy Committee that the city will increase its contribution to the First Creek regional detention project upstream of Interstate 70 by $8,400,000, and that Mile High Flood District will contribute $1,400,000 this year.
The amendment increases Aurora’s planned funding as the project moves from planning toward construction. Aurora Water staff said a contractor engaged at the 50% design stage is developing refined cost estimates, with results expected in August, and that the parties have been paying into a joint account with Mile High Flood District for about 17 years to fund regional detention work in the basin.
Committee members pressed staff about whether delay or further design work could increase costs. Council member Medina asked whether postponement would raise expenses; Aurora Water staff responded they are “fairly confident that we’re pretty much right on the money now” but said the construction manager/general contractor (CMGC) will refine estimates and identify whether early assumptions need adjustment. Staff said increasing Aurora’s share now aims to reduce the risk of higher costs later.
Aurora Water told the committee the combined contributions with Mile High Flood District and other partners yield a total project fund of $29,398,000. Staff said the intent is to concentrate benefits into a single regional detention facility rather than multiple small ponds along the First Creek main channel.
The Water Policy Committee agreed to move the amendment forward to the regular council meeting for approval.
Less critical details: staff said the refined cost work should deliver results in August and that they are aiming for construction in the coming two years; prior annual contributions into the joint account were $400,000 each from Mile High Flood District and Aurora Water over many years, which staff said had not been sufficient to support construction when the project was ready.
