Littleton council approves easements and agreements for City Ditch Reach 2A, backs stabilizing historic Lea Gulch flume

Littleton City Council on June 2 unanimously approved four linked resolutions to advance the City Ditch Reach 2A project with the City of Englewood and signaled a preference to stabilize the historic Lea Gulch flume in Lower Ridgewood Park rather than relocate it.

The measures approved were an intergovernmental agreement with Englewood, a temporary construction easement, the relinquishment and grant of new easements to accommodate a new pipe alignment, and a quitclaim deed recording the easement changes. Each resolution passed on unanimous 7–0 votes. City staff said construction on the Reach 2A portion is expected to begin in late October or November 2026.

Deputy Director of Public Works Utilities Ryan Roth told the council the flume dates to the 1860s in origin (current steel structure probably mid-1940s) and that a 2024 condition assessment found corrosion, leaks and missing anchor bolts. Roth described three preservation approaches reviewed with the Historic Preservation Commission: preserve the flume in place; preserve a portion or move a piece as an interpretive element; or relocate the structure offsite. Roth said full restoration to carry water in perpetuity is cost-prohibitive and relocation is more expensive than stabilization.

Roth summarized the financial terms council reviewed: the construction-related IGA includes a $60,250 tree mitigation fee tied to pipe installation and flash-fill (removable structural grout) for portions of the new alignment. A newly added IGA provision would allow Englewood to reimburse Littleton up to $83,500 for commemoration or restoration of the flume if it remains in the park. Roth said, “City staff recommend City Council approve the following agreements via the resolutions that you have in your packet before you this evening.”

Council members asked whether trails and park areas would remain accessible during construction; staff said rerouting plans are being coordinated with South Suburban and Littleton and that staff would follow up with specific plans. Council members also pressed how Englewood’s reimbursement could be used. Roth said the intent is to fund structural stabilization and immediate maintenance first and to use any remaining funds toward commemoration.

Councilmembers expressed support for stabilizing the flume in place (referred to in staff materials as option 2A) rather than removing it during construction. Staff estimated initial stabilization work at roughly $20,000, with ongoing maintenance costs thereafter. Roth said additional study could group this flume with another in Slaughterhouse Gulch Park to develop a consistent commemoration approach.

The council then voted on each resolution in sequence: Resolution 37-2026 (intergovernmental agreement with Englewood) passed 7–0; Resolution 38-2026 (temporary construction easement) passed 7–0; Resolution 39-2026 (relinquishment and grant of easements) passed 7–0; and Resolution 40-2026 (quitclaim deed) passed 7–0. Staff said construction is targeted to be ready by October 1, 2027, for certain project milestones and site work could begin with Reach 2A construction in fall 2026.

What’s next: staff will finalize construction access and trail-rerouting plans with South Suburban and Englewood, and the council can expect follow-up reporting on stabilization, commemoration options and any consultant work to develop a unified approach for multiple abandoned ditch features in city parks.