Elbert County expands groundwater monitoring, hires independent analyst to interpret Denver Basin data

Elbert County commissioners on July 8 heard a report on steps the county is taking to better understand and manage its groundwater resources, including expansion of the USGS well monitoring program and the hiring of an outside engineering firm to interpret decades of aquifer data.

Wendy Holmes, Elbert County communications and public affairs director, told the board the county launched an expansion of its well monitoring program in May, adding 21 new wells to the existing network of 31 and seeking additional monitoring sites in the east and southeast parts of the county where baseline data are sparse. "An additional 21 wells are now part of our well monitoring program," Holmes said while describing a public outreach push to recruit property owners to host monitoring sites.

Holmes said the board retained Lytle Water Solutions to provide "an expert interpretation of real world measurements collected over decades," a study she characterized as an independent assessment rather than a predictive model. The county plans to post data, USGS studies and regular updates on a dedicated water-resources hub on the county website to make results accessible to residents.

Commissioners praised the monitoring expansion and emphasized implementation of past master-plan recommendations. One commissioner raised the need for regional coordination, suggesting a tri-county group to address cross-boundary impacts from nearby Arapahoe and Douglas counties. Holmes confirmed the county has also retained state government affairs support to monitor water-related legislation and said the county recently hired a water planner, Aaron Walker, to manage the monitoring program.

Members of the public urged care and thoroughness. Resident Nate Noor asked the board to hold evening meetings so more residents can attend and warned against rushing the new study or allowing it to "pave a pathway" for a data center. Reporter John Hill recommended including groundwater district representatives and Metro Wastewater Reclamation District staff on a technical committee to address regional aquifer issues and potential contaminants from biosolids application.

What happens next: the county will continue outreach to recruit well hosts in under-sampled areas, post monitoring results and updates online, and await the Lytle Water Solutions assessment; Holmes said the water plan recommendations include forming a volunteer technical advisory committee with details coming in the weeks ahead.