PUEBLO, Colo.—A judge refused on Thursday to lift rules imposed by the Pueblo County commissioners that Colorado Springs officials said could affect the route of a planned 46-mile water pipeline from Pueblo Reservoir to the city’s east side.
The ruling by Pueblo District Court Judge Dennis Mayes, which Colorado Springs officials were considering appealing to the Colorado Court of Appeals, was not a surprise.
“I don’t think the result in this case is anything other than what we expected, given the court we were in,” said Colorado Springs Utilities counsel David Eason.
Colorado Springs could also seek approval from the Pueblo County Commission.
Colorado Springs filed its lawsuit in November 2005, two months after the commission passed so-called 1041 regulations. The 1041 regulations, named after the House bill that created the process for them, were designed to allow counties without zoning to develop policies to guide development.
Colorado Springs officials said Pueblo County already has zoning in areas where the Southern Delivery Water System would be placed, and that the zoning allowed the construction of water facilities.
Colorado Springs Utilities officials hope the proposed pipeline can supply millions of gallons of water a day by 2012 and is awaiting federal approval.
