Sanitation and water capacity concerns surface as constraints on infill and development

During the land-use and infrastructure discussion commissioners repeatedly raised sanitation capacity as a potential constraint on encouraging infill development. Several members expressed concern that prioritizing growth where sewer exists may be inconsistent where those lines are already at or near capacity.

"Sanitation is tapped out in most areas of Leadville, but it's much easier to increase capacity than it is to install new capacity," Joey Edwards said, arguing that expanding services where sewer already exists will be more efficient than enabling scattered septic-based development. Staff responded that implementation of infrastructure strategies will appear in the companion action spreadsheet and stressed the need to coordinate with utility providers and pursue funding partnerships, noting some investments are outside the county's direct control.