Title
A Resolution Authorizing the Recreational Use of Rosemont Reservoir and Surrounding Property
Presenter:
Jessica K. Davis, Land Resource Manager, Colorado Springs Utilities
Travas Deal, Chief Executive Officer, Colorado Springs Utilities
Body
Summary:
Colorado Springs Utilities (“Utilities”) requests that City Council approve a resolution authorizing recreational use of Utilities-controlled Rosemont Reservoir (“Reservoir”) and the surrounding watershed areas (“Property”).
Background:
In 1973, the Broadmoor Hotel Water and Power Company sold the Rosemont water system to Utilities. As part of the transaction, Utilities received ownership of the Rosemont Reservoir and the Property. Since the early 2000’s Utilities has had a lease agreement with the State of Colorado, acting by and through the Department of Natural Resources, for the use and benefit of the Division of Parks and Wildlife and the Parks and Wildlife Commission (the “State”) to manage the Reservoir and Property for the purposes of managing the Reservoir’s fishery, allowing public fishing and wildlife viewing, and wildlife habitat management and improvement.
Utilities would like to expand the authorized public recreational uses of the Property and Reservoir to include recreational uses such as camping, contained campfires, picnicking, use of non-motorized watercraft (e.g. kayaks, paddleboards, etc.), and other similar and/or related public recreational uses, subject to proper management and implementation of best management practices by Utilities, to ensure that proper health, safety, fire protection and conservation standards are applied and upheld with respect to the recreational uses of the Property and Reservoir.
City Code section 12.4.804 provides that “City Council may allow watershed areas and reservoirs of the City to be used for public recreational purposes provided that the use is legally allowable and consistent with the maintenance of proper health, safety, fire protection and conservation standards.” Utilities requests City Council’s approval to allow for these uses.
Previous Council Action:
N/A
Financial Implications:
Utilities intends to contract with the State to implement the new recreational uses and to shift the financial obligations related to the recreational uses to the State.
City Council Appointed Board/Commission/Committee Recommendation:
Utilities Board considered this at its regular meeting on January 21, 2026.
Stakeholder Process:
N/A
Alternatives:
Approve the resolution.
Deny the resolution.
Recommended Action
Proposed Motion:
Motion to approve the proposed Resolution authorizing the recreational use of the Rosemont Reservoir and surrounding property.
Summary of Ordinance Language
N/A