Colorado Springs submits SDS 1041 application to Pueblo County

The Southern Delivery System reached an important milestone Wednesday (August 20, 2008) when Colorado Springs Utilities submitted a 1041 land-use permit application to Pueblo County. Colorado Springs’ preferred alignment for SDS is a 43-mile pipeline originating at Pueblo Dam – the most direct and cost-effective route.

“This is a major step forward,” said John Fredell, SDS Project Director. “A lot of resources went into putting together a comprehensive and thorough application.”

Five copies of the application, filling 10 boxes, were delivered to Pueblo County offices on Wednesday morning, along with an initial deposit of $50,000 to cover any application review costs.

“We want to move forward in good faith,” Fredell stated. “It’s always been our intent to work collaboratively with our neighboring communities on this project.”

He noted that there are a lot of regional benefits possible with the project, including a partnership with Pueblo West to tap into the SDS from Pueblo Dam, potentially saving their water customers money in the long run.

Colorado Springs’ second choice for SDS, the Hwy 115 alternative, is a pipeline through Fremont County with an intake on the Arkansas River in Florence. Fredell said he expects to submit a Special Review Use permit application to Fremont County in two to three weeks.

One of the key goals of the project is to ensure we have the required permitting in place once the Bureau of Reclamation issues its Record of Decision, anticipated in early 2009.