Larimer County Commissioners Vote Two to One to Approve Construction of Glade Reservoir

Opposing organizations were not happy with the vote, stating that the Commissioner’s votes went against all signs that the project will negatively affect residents.

“We are not surprised with tonight’s 2-1 vote, but bitterly disappointed as we envision NISP’s wide-ranging impacts on our Larimer County homes, properties, and quality of life,” said Karen Wagner of the No Pipe Dream, LLC. 

With this permit request now approved, NISP needs one more final approval from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers by the end of this year to begin construction. If the final approval is passed, 215,000 acres of water will be stored and transferred to 15 cities across the front range.

“The vote is not a surprise, given that Commissioners Donnelly and Johnson have repeatedly expressed support for this project,” said Karyn Coppinger, resident landowner and member of Save Rural NoCo. “Grassroots organization Save Rural NoCo had, however, hoped that the commissioners would put the uniquely northern Colorado land and communities, and the health of the Poudre River, before misguided desires for a new flatwater reservoir,” Karyn said.

The meeting contained talking points from the applicant, Northern Water covering conditions of approval, approval criteria, site selection, and impacts to places like Eagle Lake Drive for the proposed Glade Reservoir. Additionally, among the commissioner’s main concerns were pipelines hugging one side of property owners’ properties.

“Far from trying to let Northern Water off the hook, I am actually trying to give property owners a greater ability to influence where these lines might be in the event that this got approved,” said Tom Donnelly, District 3 Commissioner for Larimer County.

Pipelines are as follows:

• Northern Tier Pipeline: Commences at Glade Reservoir follows US 287 to CR 21, then east to Eagle Lake and SH 1, then southeast to Grey Rock Road, then east to I-25, then southeast to CR 52, then east to the County Line Pipeline.
• Glade Release/Poudre Release Pipeline: Commences at the reservoir and runs southwest to the Poudre River.
• Poudre Intake Pipeline: Withdraws water from the Poudre River upstream of the Mulberry Water Reclamation facility, then flows southeast to a settling pond and pump station south of Mulberry Ave. on Kingfisher Natural Area, then south and east to just north of the Poudre River, then crosses Summitview Ave. south of Sunrise Acres, then east south of Boxelder Estates to I-25, then southeast crossing Prospect Road to the Platte River Power Authority power line, then east to the county line.
• County Line Pipeline: Starting at the intersection of CR 1 or Weld County Road 13 and CR 52, then south following the alignment of the county line through the Towns of Timnath, Windsor and Johnstown to the south County line.