Utilities Committee
The next Utility Meeting is set for March 18.
March's meeting will be a "blended" format. Please reach out to Amanda if you are interested in attending in-person.
March's meeting will be a "blended" format. Please reach out to Amanda if you are interested in attending in-person.
The Utilities Committee meets on the third Thursday of the month at 7:30 AM.
Chair: Loren Moreland, Classic Homes
Vice-Chair: Al Watson, Development Service, Inc
Staff Liaison: Amanda DeMarco
HBA Mission: The Housing & Building Association of Colorado Springs promotes policies that allow for the production of safe and attainable housing and enhances the environment for the housing and building industry in El Paso County.
Committee Purpose: Members meet with representatives from local utilities and municipalities to participate in discussions regarding development related issues – including codes, regulations, costs, material specifications, timing, etc.
Be part of the discussions and the successes!
Chair: Loren Moreland, Classic Homes
Vice-Chair: Al Watson, Development Service, Inc
Staff Liaison: Amanda DeMarco
HBA Mission: The Housing & Building Association of Colorado Springs promotes policies that allow for the production of safe and attainable housing and enhances the environment for the housing and building industry in El Paso County.
Committee Purpose: Members meet with representatives from local utilities and municipalities to participate in discussions regarding development related issues – including codes, regulations, costs, material specifications, timing, etc.
Be part of the discussions and the successes!
Active Committee Items
Black Hills Energy - 2021 Service Lateral Fee Schedule (effective March 1, 2021)
Black Hills Energy has been installing service laterals at no costs up to 100' and at a price per foot over 100'. Per a tariff with the PUC in Rate Base Area 3, the construction allowance for a service lateral is $174 per meter. On average, BHE pays their contractors $650 per 1/2" service lateral. Based on the Tariff, BHE will contribute $174 as a construction allowance and the difference shall be paid by the customer. Fee Schedule
CSU Joint Trench Location
The sub-committee has completed their review of the City’s and CSU’s combined effort to define new underground utility cross sections. The location for the joint trench will be under sidewalk with water stop boxes remaining on house side of sidewalk. This will allow for trees in the span between sidewalk and curb.
Black Hills Energy has been installing service laterals at no costs up to 100' and at a price per foot over 100'. Per a tariff with the PUC in Rate Base Area 3, the construction allowance for a service lateral is $174 per meter. On average, BHE pays their contractors $650 per 1/2" service lateral. Based on the Tariff, BHE will contribute $174 as a construction allowance and the difference shall be paid by the customer. Fee Schedule
CSU Joint Trench Location
The sub-committee has completed their review of the City’s and CSU’s combined effort to define new underground utility cross sections. The location for the joint trench will be under sidewalk with water stop boxes remaining on house side of sidewalk. This will allow for trees in the span between sidewalk and curb.
City of Colorado Springs STORMWATER CONSTRUTION MANUAL
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Grading and Erosion Control Permit
A Grading and Erosion Control (GEC) Permit is required prior to clearing, grading, excavation, filling, and other land disturbing activities. GEC Plans and CSWMPs must be developed and approved prior to GEC Permit issuance. Requirements Any private or public construction site with construction activities disturbing one or more acres, or construction activities that are part of a larger common plan of development or sale that disturb one or more acres is required to obtain a City GEC Permit. Construction activities are defined in the definitions section in Chapter 1 of the Stormwater Construction Manual. Construction activities involving the following will also trigger the requirement for a GEC Permit:
When there is a change in ownership for a parcel covered by an active GEC Permit (e.g. single family residential lot(s) or individual commercial lot(s) within a larger development), the new owner must accept responsibility for compliance with the original GEC Permit for their parcel(s). This is accomplished by obtaining an Associate GEC Permit. Associate GEC Permit applications must be submitted to the Stormwater Enterprise for approval prior to initiation of construction activities on such parcels. Permit applications are handled through the ACA Portal |
GEC Permit Process
For additional information on how to obtain a GEC Permit or Associate GEC Permit, please reference the Stormwater Construction Manual.[SW1] A flowchart depicting the major steps in the process to obtain a GEC Permit is included below: 
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Erosion Control Example for Individual House Sites
Atypical Lot
Typical Lot Type A
Typical Lot Type B G, W/O
Atypical Lot
Typical Lot Type A
Typical Lot Type B G, W/O
GEC Permitting Fees
2020: Year In Summary
Cherokee Metro District - Water & Wastewater Infrastructure Construction Standards (December 2020)
Cherokee has transitioned from having its own set of Water and Wastewater Standards to having a document that lists exceptions to the Colorado Springs Utility (CSU) Water and Wastewater Standards. For items not listed in Cherokee’s exceptions document Cherokee will require water and wastewater infrastructure installed in the Cherokee District to conform to the CSU Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Construction Standards.
Below is a link to access Cherokee’s adopted Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Construction Standards.
https://www.cherokeemetro.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/CMD-CSU-Standards-Exceptions-002.pdf
For reference – link to CSU Water & Wastewater Infrastructure Construction Standards
https://www.csu.org/Pages/ConstructionStandards.aspx
NEW City of Colorado Springs & Colorado Springs Utilities Underground Damage Prevention Safety Program
The City has partnered with CSU to stand up a local enforcement program to oversee excavation activities and requirements. Contractors will still call for locates through the 811 program, however CSU will now be able to address complaints and infractions at a local level. A new Article 10 (Underground Damage Prevention Safety Program) of Chapter 12 (Utilities) of the Code of the City of Colorado Springs has been approved - resulting in a change to City Code.
Colorado Springs Stormwater Enterprise - Requirements for Storm Drain Video Inspections (06/18/20)
Construction has remained strong through Q2 of 2020 - adding to the backlog of storm sewer scopes. In an effort to mitigate the backlog, the City has approved the use of 3rd party inspectors/scoping. Developers can submit 3rd party scope videos using the new published criteria.
Cherokee has transitioned from having its own set of Water and Wastewater Standards to having a document that lists exceptions to the Colorado Springs Utility (CSU) Water and Wastewater Standards. For items not listed in Cherokee’s exceptions document Cherokee will require water and wastewater infrastructure installed in the Cherokee District to conform to the CSU Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Construction Standards.
Below is a link to access Cherokee’s adopted Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Construction Standards.
https://www.cherokeemetro.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/CMD-CSU-Standards-Exceptions-002.pdf
For reference – link to CSU Water & Wastewater Infrastructure Construction Standards
https://www.csu.org/Pages/ConstructionStandards.aspx
NEW City of Colorado Springs & Colorado Springs Utilities Underground Damage Prevention Safety Program
The City has partnered with CSU to stand up a local enforcement program to oversee excavation activities and requirements. Contractors will still call for locates through the 811 program, however CSU will now be able to address complaints and infractions at a local level. A new Article 10 (Underground Damage Prevention Safety Program) of Chapter 12 (Utilities) of the Code of the City of Colorado Springs has been approved - resulting in a change to City Code.
Colorado Springs Stormwater Enterprise - Requirements for Storm Drain Video Inspections (06/18/20)
Construction has remained strong through Q2 of 2020 - adding to the backlog of storm sewer scopes. In an effort to mitigate the backlog, the City has approved the use of 3rd party inspectors/scoping. Developers can submit 3rd party scope videos using the new published criteria.
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Colorado Springs Utilities - Water Wise Rules (06/02/20)
When it comes to outdoor watering and new landscapes, one change in 2020 are the City’s new water-wise rules. These rules require an establishment permit when you install new landscaping that is watered with overhead irrigation. Establishment permits for turfgrass and non-native grasses also require soil preparation with an approved soil amendment high in organic matter. This type of amendment is crucial to help retain soil moisture between watering days and ultimately saves water while helping to create a more resilient turf. The online application is available here. If you have any feedback or questions, please email ESTP@csu.org. |
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