Property Easements and Land Acquisitions

Colorado Springs Utilities wants to be a good neighbor and work cooperatively with property owners. We will need to purchase easements, and in some cases property, to build the Southern Delivery System pipeline, pump stations and reservoirs. As part of this effort, this information will help property owners understand the process used by Colorado Springs Utilities to acquire easements and property.

Colorado Springs Utilities follows established guidelines outlined in the City of Colorado Springs Procedure Manual for the Acquisition and Disposition of Real Property Interests, which is derived from the Federal Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970, as amended. The process and guidelines ensure that all property owners receive fair market value and just compensation for the use or purchase of their property. View the manual (PDF Document 1.4MB).

More information about easements:

Questions about Property Acquisition and Access

Q. How can I determine if my property might be affected by the SDS project?
A. If your property or an easement across your property is needed for the SDS project, a real estate specialist will contact you. You may view maps of the proposed routes under Water Delivery Options to see if your property is near the alignments, or you may call the SDS Easement and Land Acquisition Services information line at 719-302-6783.

Q. Why are you acquiring easements and property now?
A. We want to make sure we have the required permitting in place to begin construction on SDS after the Bureau of Reclamation issues its Record of Decision. Colorado Springs Utilities is focusing on properties that are common to the two most likely pipeline routes.

Q. What should I know as a property owner?
A. In the case of easements and properties that need to be purchased for the SDS project, owners will be fairly and justly compensated for their land. If relocation is necessary, tenants are entitled to relocation assistance. More information about what you might consider as a property owner is covered in the following document:
• Acquisition Program