
Colorado Springs Utilities has spent nearly $3.3 million so far on expenses related to the Waldo Canyon fire and says there could be an additional $4.7 million in costs in the future.
The potential future costs are for “potential watershed remediation costs for Rampart and Nichols reservoirs and Monument Creek Watershed,” Utilities spokesman Dave Grossman said in an email.
“The actual costs could end up being higher or lower depending on the final forest damage assessment (and) the extent of future heavy rains in the area. The work and costs for remediation will be incurred over several years,” he wrote.
Here is a breakdown of the fire-related expenses so far, according to Grossman’s email:
$770,610 — Emergency and protective measures: fighting the fire, suppression, assessment
$1.310,546 — Recovery efforts and support: utility service restoration and support costs
$1,209,703 — Restoration of infrastructure: electric, gas, streetlights, water distribution lines and communication infrastructure
“We are working with FEMA, state and other relief agencies and believe that most of these expenses will be covered,” Grossman said.
THANK YOU SO MUCH for being the BEST go to site during the Waldo fire!! I appreciate the updates every 10-15 minutes during the worst times of fire, since I am out of state and have family and friends close to fire.