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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

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