CONSTRUCTION FAQS
Below are some of the most frequently asked questions related to construction of the proposed project. See the Wild Horse Reservoir Project FAQs webpage for other FAQs.
Q. What is the timeline for completion? When would Aurora Water break ground? When would the reservoir open?
A. The project is currently in the pre-permitting phase. The formal NEPA process would last a minimum of two years from the date that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) publishes its Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an EIS for the project. Learn more about the federal permitting process.
Aurora’s goal is to begin construction around 2030, pending receipt of all necessary permits, authorizations, and approvals. Construction would occur seasonally over approximately six to seven years. After construction is complete, it will likely take more than five years to fill up. To stay up to date with the latest information, please sign up for Aurora Water’s Wild Horse Reservoir Project eNewsletter.
Q. How would the construction of Wild Horse Reservoir Project impact those living and working in the area?
A. If BLM authorizes the project, Aurora Water is committed to working closely with Park County, local residents, and businesses to minimize and address potential construction impacts. As with any large infrastructure project, Aurora Water would anticipate increased truck and vehicle traffic, noise, dust, and some road detours. These impacts would be minimized to the greatest extent possible. As part of BLM’s review of the project, BLM will be considering how potential environmental and social impacts can be avoided, minimized, and/or mitigated under its NEPA analysis and is coordinating with Aurora Water on such considerations.
Q. Who would be doing the construction?
A. Aurora Water has selected Colorado-based Flatiron and joint-venture partners Dragados USA and Sukut Construction (FDS JV) to provide Construction Manager/General Contractor (CM/GC) services for the proposed Wild Horse Reservoir Project. FDS JV would hire subcontractors as needed to complete the construction.
Q. How many workers would be at the construction site?
A. Approximately 600 temporary jobs at the peak of construction.
Q. Where would all those workers live/stay?
A. To the extent practical, FDS JV would hire as many local employees as possible. Additional construction staffing options would be explored, including bussing workers in from Woodland Park and/or Bailey, using RVs, and/or constructing temporary workforce housing.
Q. How long would it take to build?
A. The project is still in the pre-permitting and planning phase. Aurora’s goal is to begin construction around 2030, pending receipt of all necessary permits, authorizations, and approvals. Construction would occur seasonally over approximately six to seven years. To stay up to date with the latest information, please sign up for Aurora Water’s Wild Horse Reservoir Project eNewsletter.
Q. I have seen crews, equipment, or vehicles at one of the locations for the Wild Horse Reservoir Project. Who is working at the possible Wild Horse Reservoir Project sites?
A. No work on the reservoir project is being performed at this time as we are still in the pre-permitting and planning phase. There will periodically be workers at some of the sites conducting field work surveys and geotechnical work with the approval of local landowners. Periodically, there is also maintenance work performed on the Otero pipeline that runs from west to east near the proposed project locations.
Q. What is geotechnical work?
A. Geotechnical work is used to determine what type of soils, rocks and subsurface geology exists at the site. This involves geological exploration and mapping, including drilling and trenching work. The geotechnical work is performed on Aurora-owned property and some private properties with the landowner’s permission. The data collected through this work is required for the federal environmental study. Crews and equipment may be seen in various locations.
Q. What will predesign and preconstruction services entail and will there be impacts to local residents?
A. During the preconstruction design phase, engineers and contractors will collaborate with Aurora Water to analyze constructability and optimal design options, identify potential risks, and determine potential cost-saving opportunities. Other priorities include building department reviews and required permitting, developing work package specifications and associated cost estimates, and establishing an overall project schedule.
Q. Where would County Road 53 be realigned? When would that start?
A. If BLM authorizes this project, a portion of County Road (CR) 53 would be realigned to the east side of either the Wild Horse Reservoir or Wild Horse South Reservoir sites. The date of such work would be identified following the minimum two-year timeframe for BLM to complete its NEPA analysis and would only occur if BLM authorizes the project. Aurora Water would work closely with Park County regarding the timing of the road realignment and communicate work impacts to area residents in advance.
Q. If several county roads are impacted, how would I get access to my private property?
A. Aurora would work with Park County on any road realignments, detours and temporary access roads, including CR 53 which would be realigned, improved and dedicated to Park County. Some roads may be detoured or closed for short periods; however, access to properties in the area would be maintained.
To stay up to date on the latest news and information, subscribe to the Wild Horse Reservoir Project newsletter.
