Working with Landowners

The proposed Wild Horse Reservoir Project would require environmental reviews, permitting processes, and the acquisition of property from private landowners. In preparation for the federal government’s in-depth environmental review of the project, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) identified several alternative locations (see adjacent map) to be evaluated.

Map overview of Wild Horse Reservoir project alternatives: Wild Horse South Reservoir, Small Wild Horse Reservoir, and Spinney Mountain Reservoir Enlargement. Additional features include pipeline routes and road realignments for CR 53. More information can be found on the Project Alternatives webpage.

Map overview of the Wild Horse Reservoir Project Alternatives. Click to enlarge the image.

During evaluation of the alternative sites, Aurora Water identified the Wild Horse South Reservoir alternative as the location to advance for further environmental review and permitting. Key considerations include fewer dams (one versus three), lower operational and construction risks, no additional pumping required to fill the reservoir, and minimal wetland impacts. It also allows Aurora Water to source materials for the project from existing Park County quarries, to support local businesses. This avoids the need to develop a new quarry site, thereby minimizing additional land disturbance.

We understand that shifting the project site to the Wild Horse South Reservoir alternative will affect property owners. We also understand that your property can be more than just land or a house—it can be personal. Aurora Water is committed to treating affected property owners with respect, fairness, and transparency throughout this process and to partnering with property owners to find fair and flexible solutions that meet their needs.

If you have questions about the impact of the proposed Wild Horse Reservoir Project to your property, please contact us at WildHorseReservoir@AuroraGov.org and include your Park County Assessor parcel account number or address. To stay informed of the latest project updates, subscribe to our Wild Horse Reservoir Project eNewsletter.

Aurora Water has acquired certain properties needed for the proposed Wild Horse Reservoir Project. In an effort to acquire property that would be needed for the project, we will continue to engage in good-faith outreach with other landowners to extend fair market value offers. If you have any questions or concerns about your property, please contact us at WildHorseReservoir@AuroraGov.org and include your Park County Assessor parcel account number or address.

With landowner permission, non-invasive surveys will be conducted on the proposed project site in 2026 from late April through October. Some landowners will be contacted to request permission to access private property for the surveys. This information is needed for permitting processes for the site and will focus on areas that have not yet been assessed.

The project is still in the planning and pre-permitting phase. Aurora Water is working with federal, state, and local agencies to determine the best path forward for required environmental reviews and permit processes. See the Review and Permitting webpage for more information.

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