Identification of Alternatives for Environmental Review

Published On: April 8, 2025

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is leading the federal evaluation process for the proposed Wild Horse Reservoir under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) that will evaluate environmental, cultural, and local community impacts. The BLM is conducting this evaluation process and is responsible for preparing a detailed report, called an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). This report will evaluate and disclose the impacts of the proposed project as well as alternatives that have the potential to meet Aurora’s needs. See descriptions of alternatives.

Through the process to date, two alternative sites in Park County have been identified for further evaluation: a site just south of the proposed project and a possible expansion of Spinney Mountain Reservoir. With landowner permission, natural resource and cultural surveys will be conducted on the alternatives this spring and summer of this year (late April through August). Additionally, crews may be collecting geotechnical data to assess construction feasibility and potential constraints. Stakeholders will have an opportunity to provide feedback during the EIS process on the project after the BLM issues a Notice of Intent (NOI) to formally begin the study, which is tentatively scheduled for 2026.

Map overview of Wild Horse Reservoir project alternatives, showing options near Spinney Mountain Reservoir and south of Hartsel. More description of each alternative is explained in the rest of the Permitting webpage copy.

Map overview of Wild Horse Reservoir project alternatives, including Wild Horse Reservoir, Wild Horse South Reservoir, and Spinney Mountain Reservoir Enlargement. Click the map to enlarge.