Pueblo County issues 1041 permit for SDS

On April 21, 2009, the Pueblo Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution to issue a 1041 land-use permit for the Southern Delivery System Preferred Alternative.

Bruce McCormick, Colorado Springs Utilities Chief Water Services Officer, expressed Colorado Springs’ gratitude to Pueblo County for a fair and open process. “This agreement paves the way for several communities in southern Colorado to come together,” he said.

Colorado Springs Utilities filed a 1041 permit application with Pueblo County in September of last year. From October to April, a total of ten public hearings were held.

Commissioner John Cordova stated, “I am satisfied that we’ve done our due diligence to protect the citizens of Pueblo County.”

The commitments the SDS project partners are making through the 1041 permit will mitigate the impacts of the construction and operation of SDS, as well as provide protection to Fountain Creek, Pueblo Reservoir, private landowners and the residents of Pueblo County.

“Most importantly, these commitments will ensure that a project that benefits our community does not compromise yours,” McCormick added. “I want to thank the Pueblo County Commissioners for having the courage and vision to look beyond the past to see an array of possibilities for the greater good of our communities’ futures.”

Commissioner Anthony Nunez talked about SDS as “a project that I will be very proud to have been a part of.”

Commissioner Jeff Chostner thanked Colorado Springs Mayor Rivera, Vice Mayor Small and Councilwoman Radford for their leadership, as well as the El Paso County Commissioners. He concluded his comments by stating, “This is a day that historians will look back on as a day to celebrate.”

Before the Commissioners voted on the resolution, there was reference made to unresolved issues between Pueblo County and Pueblo West concerning the

1041 permit condition that stipulates all SDS water users must participate in the Pueblo Flow Management Program.

SDS Project Director John Fredell said, “We hope these issues can be resolved because we value our partnership with Pueblo West and would like them to remain a partner on the project.”

SDS project staff are further refining project plans and conducting a thorough business analysis that examines supply and demand, project cost, financing, and timing of construction. Additionally, we will proceed with other local, state and federal permits required before construction can begin.