Key Topics

The following are responses to concerns raised by members of the public following the public meetings in spring 2023. Additional communication with the public will occur over the coming months.

Tree Preservation

Englewood will coordinate with the City of Littleton to minimize impacts to trees to the extent possible while installing the City Ditch pipeline. Trees that are required to be removed to aid construction activities, or trees that would be damaged or harmed by the construction will be mitigated in accordance with the City of Littleton’s requirements for tree and vegetation replacements.

Wildlife Access to Water

While City Ditch is used year-round to convey water to the Allen Water Treatment Plant, it is an intermittent water supply that is shut down for periods of time for maintenance or other operational reasons. It is not a consistent source of water for wildlife. Wildlife have other water sources in the area since the ditch crosses multiple creeks (Lee Gulch, Slaughterhouse Gulch, Dad Clark Gulch, and Big Dry Creek). Water will continue to be available for wildlife from those sources.

Compensation

Englewood’s proposed project is consistent with both Englewood’s existing easements for City Ditch and Colorado law, which expressly allow the owners of ditch rights-of-way to engage in maintenance and improvement activities, including lining or piping the ditch. The piping project is necessary to ensure Englewood’s ability to provide a safe and reliable municipal water supply while improving the efficiency of the ditch. The work is consistent with the previous piping of other reaches of City Ditch. These activities do not provide a basis for compensating landowners.

Preserving Historical Attributes

City of Englewood is open to creating interpretative signage along the ditch to commemorate the history of City Ditch and the role it played in providing water for our community. It may be possible to preserve or move the flumes. Englewood is still determining if open ditch will remain open or be filled in. Stakeholder input indicated there is a preference for both options.

Trespassing and Safety

Homeless issues are pervasive throughout the Metro area. Enforcement of trespassing on property near City Ditch would need to be handled through the local police enforcement departments. Englewood Utilities is not equipped nor responsible for enforcing these laws.

Construction Impacts

Construction impacts will be temporary. It is estimated that active construction will last about 6-8 months in each area of pipe installation. Englewood has selected Reynolds Construction for this project, who has significant experience in large-diameter pipeline construction, including experience in urban and high-density areas. The City and Reynolds will work together with neighbors near City Ditch to ensure there is clear and early communication prior to and during construction. Englewood will work to minimize disruption. Our contractor will work closely with residents to address issues that occur.