The City of Colorado Springs and its Stormwater Enterprise were awarded two federal grants totaling $700,000 to support restoration work in the Fountain Creek Watershed.
The grants, from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, are funded by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). Both grants directly support planning for the COS Creek Plan.
The Fountain Creek Watershed marks the state’s most populated and fastest-growing watershed. Population growth and development in the watershed have increased the need to protect the water source, with portions of Colorado Springs located in the watershed increasing in population by 37% since 2000. The watershed currently provides around 15% of the City’s drinking water supply and serves as an agricultural water source for farmlands in southeastern Colorado.
“We’re thrilled that our region has received not one, but two WaterSmart grants to assess, restore and protect the aquatic ecosystems along Fountain and Monument creeks,” said Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade. “These projects are important to our COS Creek Plan, a collaborative effort between the Pikes Peak Waterways, Colorado Springs Utilities, and the City of Colorado Springs. They further our ongoing efforts to maintain and improve our natural and manmade infrastructure to keep up with the growth and enhance the vibrancy of our city.”
The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation awarded Pikes Peak Waterways $300,000 to create a water strategy for the Monument Creek corridor in partnership with the City of Colorado Springs, to improve water quality, restore damaged areas, and support wildlife. The Monument Creek Water Strategy will also work to ensure the watershed continues to benefit the surrounding communities by addressing challenges like erosion, sediment buildup, and the impacts of recent wildfires.
The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation also awarded the City of Colorado Springs $400,000 in this round of grants to restore and protect a 1.5-mile stretch of the Fountain Creek Basin from the Cimarron area downstream to Shooks Run Confluence. In partnership with Pikes Peak Waterways, the grant will help create a healthier stream system and improve recreational access for the community.
"This support for the Colorado Springs area will help one of Colorado’s most populated watersheds continue to provide clean, clear water for hardworking people in El Paso County and communities further downstream. We work closely with local partners to win important federal funding and better support Colorado communities, farms, and our water future," said Colorado Governor Jared Polis. The Office of the Governor provided grant writing assistance to help secure the $300,000 grant for the Monument Creek Water Strategy.
The work support by the grant is scheduled to start in summer 2025.