Collaboration in Watershed Management Mark Shea - Watershed Planning - Colorado Springs Utilities

Colorado Springs Utilities Who We Are Four-service utility provider Electric, natural gas, water, wastewater Over 650,000 customers Local government oversight Community-owned non-profit Rate-based, not tax supported Annual operating budget around $1 billion

Colorado Springs Utilities Raw Water System Seven major subsystems Most shared with partners 25 Reservoirs & dams Pipe water over 200 miles from mountains to treatment Spans over nine counties

Colorado Springs Utilities Watershed Lands 67 distinct watersheds Over 650 sq. mi ~360,000 acres rural ~ 150,000 acres urban Only 16,000 acres owned 2,500 acres by U.S. Forest Service Special Use Permits

Colorado Springs Utilities Watershed Pressures & Risks Increases in development Increases in public uses Forest health Wildfire Post-fire Conditions Flooding Consist of over 400 sq. mi. ~200,000 acres is rural ~ 150,000 acres is urban 25 Reservoirs & dams Over 200 miles of pipeline from mountains to treatment Only 16,000 acres owned 2,500 acres under U.S. Forest Service Special Use Permits

Colorado Springs Utilities Watershed Management Strategies U.S. Forest Service Memorandum of Understanding Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration State Forest Service Treat Utilities land Non-profits & local agencies Colorado Springs Fire Coalition for the Upper South Platte ($1M grant) Consist of over 400 sq. mi. ~200,000 acres is rural ~ 150,000 acres is urban 25 Reservoirs & dams Over 200 miles of pipeline from mountains to treatment Only 16,000 acres owned 2,500 acres under U.S. Forest Service Special Use Permits

Colorado Springs Utilities Questions? Catamount Wildland Fire Team “Making a Difference in the Community”