Collaboration in Watershed Management

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

2. Colorado Springs UtilitiesWho 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 UtilitiesWatershed 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 UtilitiesWatershed 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 UtilitiesWatershed 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 UtilitiesQuestions? Questions? Colorado Springs Utilities Catamount Wildland Fire Team “Making a Difference in the Community”