Golden – Builders of a proposed reservoir in Bear Creek Canyon promised county officials Wednesday that they would camouflage the massive dam’s face with staining and vegetation.
The appearance of the 100-foot-high, 500-foot-wide concrete dam has drawn the most criticism from downstream neighbors. “For us, that was the crux of the issue,” said Commissioner Kevin McCasky.
The Genesee Water & Sanitation District voted in November to sidestep the Jefferson County Planning Commission’s unanimous denial. Special districts have authority under a 20-year-old state law to reverse a county decision after going through the site-approval process.
Genesee board member Chris O’Dell told commissioners the 125-acre-foot reservoir will provide the district’s only water storage. In May 2004, the district’s voters approved an $8 million bond issue for the project.
“In Colorado, water is key,” O’Dell said.
About 1,400 households, plus retail and commercial outlets in the affluent Genesee foothills community south of Interstate 70 and north of Bear Creek, will use the water.
Bid packets will go out Friday, with construction expected to begin in a few months. The reservoir is scheduled to be completed and filled with water by the summer of 2007.
Staff writer Ann Schrader can be reached at 303-278-3217 or aschrader@denverpost.com.
