The City of Fort Collins has a regular editorial article in the local newspaper, the Coloradoan. Articles are split between the various City departments. Throughout my time at the City, I have written several of these articles for the Utilities executive director and the city manager.
Our community continues to rise to the challenges and face the curveballs thrown at us this year, including water restrictions and the Cameron Peak Fire. I am very thankful for the response we’ve seen to lower our water use while important infrastructure repairs, known as the Horsetooth Outlet Project (HOP), were completed. On behalf of Fort Collins Utilities, I want to thank each of you for helping during HOP!
The challenges of ongoing dry conditions and potential for source water quality impacts from the wildfire increased the risk of a water shortage during HOP, making it imperative that our water demand stay below 15 million gallons a day during the project (our typical winter water use levels).
Water restrictions began Oct. 1, and we saw a 35% decrease in water use right off the bat. As a community, we saved over 100 million gallons of water compared to historical averages. Restrictions were lifted Nov. 10 and your efforts, combined with advance planning, regional collaborations and temporary backup water pumps, significantly reduced our risk of water shortage as the repairs were made.
The events of 2020 have underscored the importance of well-maintained infrastructure and effective planning. Ash and debris could affect water in the Cache la Poudre River for years to come, making it important to ensure Horsetooth infrastructure remains in good working condition to continue providing reliable, high-quality water.
To prepare for and coordinate HOP, we teamed up with surrounding water districts, organizations and communities. This collaboration will continue as we plan for the recovery of our watersheds following the fires. Increased water quality monitoring, in addition to the improvements, strengthens our position as we move forward.
Depending on future drought conditions and the extent of impacts from the fires, we will continue to look to the community for help conserving water, when necessary. I have full confidence we can work together to protect our water and rise to the challenges we may face.
Everyone can make a difference, whether it’s efficient lawn watering, turning off the faucet while brushing your teeth, changing your landscape so you don’t need as much water, or making changes to your indoor fixtures or business operations to reduce water use even more. Each individual action adds up and we wouldn’t be able to do it without you. Thank you!
Learn more: fcgov.com/hop or fcgov.com/utilities/2020-wildfires.
Theresa Connor is the Fort Collins Utilities interim executive director. She can be reached at tconnor@fcgov.com.
As we approach the release of the draft Environmental Impact Statement, or EIS, for the Halligan Water Supply Project, I find myself reflecting on all it’s taken to get to this point.
Historically, projects like Halligan focused solely on design and construction of the dam; however, as we’ve discovered, they now involve much more.
They’re also environmental enhancement projects.
Instead of only increasing the height of the existing dam to add more water storage at Halligan Reservoir, we’re evaluating how to improve the surrounding environment and ecosystem.
We entered the federal permitting process for the Halligan Project in 2006. Since then, we’ve conducted countless environmental studies for this project and several other water storage alternatives, including air and water quality, geomorphic impacts, aquatics impacts, wetlands, species of concern and more.
Each one can last years, adding to the already lengthy permitting timeline and cost, but they’re necessary to ensure an environmentally responsible solution.
As a result of the studies, mitigation concepts have been developed that will help avoid or minimize impacts and compensate for those that are unavoidable. The concepts will be implemented during and after construction of the enlarged dam.
The Conceptual Mitigation Plan focuses on improvements to the North Fork of the Poudre River. Current reservoir operations and diversions cause portions of the river to run dry periodically, stressing fish and other wildlife. The Halligan Project will establish continual flows, reconnecting the segmented river and improving the ecosystem.
The mitigation plan also includes considerations for:
- Cultural and paleontological resources
- Fish, wildlife and special status species
- Air and water quality
- Revegetation
- Restoration of disturbed areas and access roads during construction
These permitting and mitigation aspects, along with design and construction considerations and unknowns due to the evolving nature of the project, contribute to a probable cost of $120 million. However, costs could vary between $100 million to $150 million as the requirements, design and schedule are more clearly defined.
Several cost updates have been completed since 2006, with the most recent in early 2019. The update reflects new information about the cost of permitting requirements, real estate acquisition, evolving best practices in dam design and construction, and project unknowns. It also includes $15 million for environmental mitigation and enhancement.
While the cost of water continues to rise in Northern Colorado, the Halligan Project remains the most cost-effective alternative to provide a safe and reliable water supply for our customers now and into the future.
We anticipate the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will release the draft EIS and our Conceptual Mitigation Plan later this year, followed by a public comment period. Learn more at fcgov.com/halligan.
Kevin Gertig is Fort Collins Utilities executive director. He can be reached at kgertig@fcgov.com.
In addition to providing high quality community services 365 days per year, the city of Fort Collins is also committed to planning and preparing for the long-term success of the community.
Efforts like City Plan, for example, consider how Fort Collins will grow and develop over the next 20 years. Defining success for the coming decades is a question we consider regularly in areas of transportation, public safety, economic health, and more.
It’s also an important consideration when planning for the future of our utilities. Maintaining a safe and reliable water supply that can withstand uncertainties and emergencies – such as prolonged drought, wildfires, floods, infrastructure failures and changes in climate – is crucial to the long-term health and safety of our community.
The city’s Water Supply and Demand Management Policy guides how we prepare for these situations through a variety of sustainable, integrated approaches. The current policy plans for average customer water use and includes provisions for both short-term interruptions and long-term impacts, like drought.
The city has made it a priority to acquire the necessary water rights to meet the needs of the projected population growth within Fort Collins Utilities’ service area. However, in order to use these rights to their fullest capacity, additional water storage is needed.
On average, two-thirds of the runoff on the Poudre River occurs during May and June, and our current storage capacity limits our ability to keep that extra water for use in drier months or years.
Staff have researched many options over the past decade, and we believe the most environmentally responsible and cost-effective option is to increase the storage capacity of the existing Halligan Reservoir, located on the North Fork of the Poudre River.
The additional capacity will allow the city to store some water from our existing rights as well as provide more water supply options, in case of a prolonged drought or wildfire in the future. More information about the project is available at www.fcgov.com/halligan.
A project of this scale requires federal, state and local permits before moving forward. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plans to release their draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in the coming months.
The EIS will present a summary of all the impacts to environmental and cultural resources for each storage alternative, including our preferred option, the Halligan Water Supply Project.
The draft will be available for public review and comment, and I invite you to share your thoughts on how we can continue to provide clean and reliable water for future generations.
Darin Atteberry is the Fort Collins city manager. He can be reached at 970-221-6505 or datteberry@fcgov.com.
While the traditional season of giving may be behind us, the need doesn’t lessen throughout the year. Did you know one in seven people in our community can’t afford to pay their utility bill? That’s 16 percent of Fort Collins Utilities’ customers.
We offer a portfolio of programs designed to reduce utility costs for low-income households. The Payment Assistance Fund (PAF) is one program that assists customers in keeping their water and electric services on.
I want to take a moment to thank everyone who contributed to the PAF in 2017. Together, we assisted close to 500 households. Since it began in 2005, the PAF has helped more than 7,000 residents in our community.
One of those residents is Joe. He’s a single dad who, after serving in the U.S. Navy for 20 years, wanted his family to settle down in Fort Collins. What he didn’t anticipate was the high cost of living and difficulty transitioning his military work experience into civilian life.
Even with a job, Joe lives paycheck to paycheck. Last summer, he experienced a financial setback when holiday closures reduced his work hours. “I had to overcome my pride and ask for help,” he said, describing how relieved and thankful he was that Utilities, in partnership with Energy Outreach Colorado, helped him catch up on his utility bill. “I was in a bad place, and they really came through and helped out. I appreciate it.”
Sadly, not everyone has the same experience as Joe. Often, the need for utility assistance exceeds the available resources and people are turned away.
Donating is easy and much appreciated. You can add a monthly recurring donation to your utility bill or make a one-time donation by cash, check or card. Donations can be made online at fcgov.com/paf, in person at 222 Laporte Ave., or mailed to Payment Assistance Fund, Fort Collins Utilities, PO Box 580, Fort Collins, CO 80522.
One hundred percent of the donations assist families, seniors and individuals in our service area and can help them avoid tough decisions like whether to pay their bill or buy food. Even better, donations are matched dollar for dollar by Energy Outreach Colorado, making your gift go further.
If you or someone you know needs utility assistance, contact one of our partner agencies (Catholic Charities Larimer County, The Family Center/La Familia or Discover Goodwill). Assistance is available in any language. Learn more at fcgov.com/payment-assistance.
Thanks to everyone who has given to the PAF over the years! Without your contribution, this program would not exist.
Kevin Gertig is Fort Collins Utilities Executive Director. He can be reached at kgertig@fcgov.com.