BERTHOUD, Colo.—A majority of northern Colorado residents support a massive reservoir and pipeline project proposed by the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District and partners, according to a recent survey.
The Northern Integrated Supply Project, with an estimated price tag topping $400 million, would draw water from the Poudre River and store it in the proposed Glade Reservoir north of Ted’s Place.
It also would draw water from the South Platte River to be stored in Galeton Reservoir, which would be built near Greeley, to be exchanged with irrigation companies.
Fifteen municipalities and water districts would fund the project.
A survey conducted last month by Denver-based polling firm Ciruli Associates for NISP participants found 63 percent of respondents in Larimer County supporting NISP and 81 percent of Weld County respondents supporting it.
Ciruli Associates polled 500 registered voters in Larimer County from Aug. 8-11. The margin of error was 4.4 percentage points. In Weld County, 300 registered voters were polled Aug. 11-14. The margin of error was 5.7 percentage points.
The Save the Poudre Coalition, which opposes Glade Reservoir, declined to comment until members could review the full survey and results.
Project advocates say NISP is needed to keep farms from drying up as water demands and the population rises.
NISP is expected to provide 40,000 acre-feet of guaranteed water a year, or enough to serve about 80,000 homes for a year.
Opponents fear the costs and effects on the Cache la Poudre River.
The survey found that 8 percent of Weld County respondents opposed NISP, while 11 percent were unsure. In Larimer County, 24 percent opposed it and about 13 percent weren’t sure, the survey found.
Earlier this month, the Fort Collins City Council voted 6-0 for a resolution opposing the project. Council members said they were concerned about the effects on the city and river.
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On the Net:
Glade Reservoir site:
Opponents’ site:
