Officials Plan to Seek Emergency Help From the State
Rick Langenberg
For the first time in years, the rural sections of Teller County are facing a dire water crisis due to the ongoing drought impacting the state and western parts of the country.
With sizzling temperatures and a lack of usual winter and spring moisture, local wells and community water outlets are drying up completely, putting more pressure on rural subdivisions. In addition, water operators and local leaders are looking at the prospects of their residents turning on their facets inside their dwellings, and “nothing coming out.” This has forced rural districts to consider ways to haul water through third-parties or more creative techniques.
During an emergency meeting last week, attended by representatives from a score of local, regional and Colorado entities, Teller officials issued a call to action and agreed to submit an emergency request to the state’s Division of Water Resources.
With this action, the county hopes to obtain emergency water, substitute replacements that could assist local districts. In addition, the county will review ways that its larger water providers can help, such as the cities of Woodland Park and Cripple Creek.
“Time is not on our side,” said Teller County Commissioner Dan Williams. “We now have 14 fires flaring up across the state.”
“We need to work together,” said Teller County Commission Chairman Erik Stone. He indicated that the county may have to adopt sterner conservation measures and noted that Teller’s larger incorporated areas may become the “saving grace” for the county.
The meeting drew numerous water district operators and experts, who described conditions as the worst they had seen in more than 40 years. Officials from the state’s Division of Water Resources also participated via Zoom and expressed interest in helping the county through several emergency programs.
At the same time, the state officials cautioned that the current laws regarding water rights can’t be changed.
Williams stated that officials don’t want to “spook” residents over the current situation but contended that folks need to know the drought-related scenario facing the region. They want to compile an action plan before the crisis gets worse.
Part of this plan could entail new restrictions.
By the middle of next week, County Administrator Ross Herzog said he plans to file an emergency request with the state that will encompass the needs of a variety of local districts in unincorporated areas. These are the main entities impacted, including such water challenged areas as Arabian Acres and Florissant.
As a result of the crisis, water sources in Divide are getting tested to the max, with a 33 percent-plus hike in demand, according to statistics presented at last week’s forum.
Pete Kuyper, a main community player and developer in Divide, said their district would do what it could do to help other nearby areas. But he raised concerns about water augmentation rules and wondered if they could get credit for any water they shared with nearby entities. He said the Divide area has ample resources physically to deal with the current situation. But under current state rules, he noted that water taken out must be replaced.
Also, the county may initiate certain restrictions, such as prohibiting campers from using certain local outlets for their water supplies. Williams admitted the current crisis could hamper how tourists and campers equip themselves with local water.
Also, Public Works Director Fred Clifford said that due to the growing drought crisis, Teller County will do its part in conserving H2O and will not use water for its gravel road maintenance program.
And local parks in and ball fields may not look as green in upcoming months. It is still uncertain how the drought crisis will affect the Shining Mountain golf course in Woodland Park.
Let’s Help Each Other Out During this Trying Time
But a strong spirit of cooperation prevailed at the forum.
Cripple Creek Mayor Annie Durham assured the group that the city would see what it could do to help. But at the same time, she admitted that if the state experienced another super-dry winter like the one in 2025/2026, the city, which obtains water from several reservoirs, could experience problems itself.
Woodland Public Works Director Kip Wiley expressed similar views, and said WP has been involved in a considerable amount of H2O exchanges.
And under no circumstances should local fire fighters refrain from using available H2O to fight fires. State officials confirmed that current water restrictions shouldn’t impact the need to battle the spree of fires assaulting the state.
According to Williams, next week the county will outline a proposed plan, offering their emergency requests and suggested conservation measures.
