Appendices to the Denver Regional Environmental Impact Statement for Wastewater Facilities and the Clean Water Program


                   APPENDICES
DENVER REGIONAL
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
STATEMENT FOR
WASTEWATER FACILITIES
AND THE CLEAN  WATER
PROGRAM
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY
REGION VIII.  DENVER

-------
            Appendices
              To the
          Denver Regional
   Environmental Impact  Statement
                For
      Wastewater Facilities
              and the
        Clean  Water Program
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
            Region VIII
          Denver, Colorado

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                               Contents
Appendix A
     Supplemental Information on Existing Environment

Appendix B
     Growth-Induced Impacts on the Region's Environmentally
     Sensitive Area
Appendix C
     Clean Water Plan
Appendix D
     Technical Report Summary Draft
     Clean Water Program

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                               APPENDIX A

            SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION ON EXISTING ENVIRONMENT

     Appendix A is intended to provide reviewers having special
interests and needs with supplimentary information and data which
supports many of the evaluations and value judgments made during
the preparation of Section II, THE EXISTING ENVIRONMENT.  Use of
this appendix to present supplimentary information has significantly
shortened the environmental inventory in the main body of the EIS.
The goal of this action has been to highlight the most important
and sensitive aspects of the region's environment in the EIS so
that issues surrounding the proposed projects and EPA's fund
activities can be tentatively identified early in the assessment
process.  Early identification of tentative issues is critical in
focusing the EIS so that it becomes a useful policy-making tool as
well as a decision-making tool.
                                   A-l

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                           Table of Contents

Appendix A.      Supplemental Information on
                 Existing Environment

Climate                                                        A-3
Odors                                                          A-7
Geology                                                        A-7
Soils                                                          A-15
Hydrology                                                      A-18
Water Supply                                                   A-20
Water Quality                                                  A-23
Biology                                                        A-49
Energy                                                         A-56
Outdoor Recreation Sites                                       A-58
Historical Sites                                               A-59
Scenic Sites                                                   A-66
Land Waste Treatment Sites                                     A-68
Traffic                                                        A-70
Information on Local Planning                                  A-72
  in the Denver Region
Economic Activity                                              A-74
Reuse Implementation and
  Planning in the Denver Area
Goals and objectives for Colorado's
  long-range Growth and Development
Plan Policies Adopted by Denver
  Regional Council of Governments
                                  A-2

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                               APPENDIX TABLE A-l   CLIMATE DATA SUMMARY
la
TEMPERATURES
Mean annual temperature — 11.3*C [52.3*
Annual temperature ranze — -34'C [-30*F]

Mean monthly
diurnal teaperature Jan
F]
to 40* C [105*F]
F*b
•C 1.2 1.8
IT] 34.1 35.3

No. days with
teaperature
- 0*C [32*F] 25
22
Mar Apr May Jun Jui Aug Sep Oct Kov Dec
3.6 8.8 14.7 20.8 23.6 22.9 18.4 12.1 4.7 2.6
38.5 47.8 58.4 69.4 74.5 73.2 65.1 53.7 40.5 36.6
Total
21 10 1 +* 0 0 + 5 18 24 126
Freeze threshold temperature Mean number of days between data of last

*c •
0
-2.2
-4.4
-6.7
-8.9
*F
32
28
24
20
16
spring occurrence and first fall occurrence
166
192
212
231
239
Notei The symbol + indicates a rang* between 0 and .5.
Crowing season — April through September.
PRECIPITATION
Precipitation season (692 annual preclp.) — April through September
Average annual precipitation — 31 cm [12 in]

Monthly mean
F«b
ma 6.6 16.3
(in.) 0.34 0.64
Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
20.6 36.8 65.0 25.9 37.3 30.5 19.3 24.4 14.2 10.7
0.81 1.45 2.56 1.02 1.47 1.20 0.76 0.96 0.56 0.42
                                                                                                             8

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                     APPENDIX TABLE A-l   CLIMATE. DATA SUMMARY (Continued)
                Frequency of maximum precipitation,
                            years
6-hour  total
     24-hour total
                                                       nun
           ilnj.
CM!
                 UnTT
2
5
10
25
50
100
36 to 41
46 to 51
56 to 64
71 to 76
76 to 86
86 to 97
1.4 to 1.6 ]
1.8 to 2.0 ]
2.2 to 2.5 ]
2.8 to 3.0 ]
3.0 to 3.4 )
3.4 to 3.8 ]
46 to 56
61 to 71
66 to 86
86 to 97
97 to 117
107 to 127
1.8 to 2.2 ]
2.4 to 2.8 ]
2.6 to 3.4 ]
3.4 to 3.8 ]
3.8 to 4.6 ]
4.2 to S.O ]
Snowfall Season — November through April
Average anno*! snowfall -- 145.5 cm  [57.3 in];
Monthly mean
snowfall
cm
[In. I
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
15.7 23:6 29.7 27.2 3.0 0.3
6.2 9.3 11.7 10.7 1.2 0.1
Jul Aug Sen Oct Nov Dec
T T 3.3 8.1 17.5 17.0
T T 1.3 3.2 6.9 6.7

Tnund'erstorms, mean
number of days

Note: The symbol
HUMIDm/EVAPOTRANSPIRATION



Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
0 +a + 1 6 10
+ indicates a range between 0 and .5.
Relative humidity
Percent
0 to 29
30 to 49
50 to 69
70 to 79
80 to 89
90 to 100
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov uec Annual
12 8 4 1 + 0 43


- Occurrence (percent of time)
27
28
23
10
9
4
Annual  •vapotranapiratioa rate — 610 mm [24 In]

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                           APPENDIX TABLE A-l CLIMATE DATA  SUMMARY (Continued)
        WINDS
Ln
Mean hourly
speed
o
mps
[mph]
Prevailing
direction

Jan Feb
4.3 4.5
9.6 10.1

S S

Mar
4.8
10.7

S

Apr
4.7
10.6

S

May
4.4
9.9

S

Jun
4.4
9.8

S

Jul
4.0
9.0

S

Aug
3.7
8.3

S

Sep Oct
3.7 3.8
8.3 8.5

S S

Nov
4.3
9.7

S

Dec
4.5
10.0

S
Annual
mean
4.2
9.5

S

Fastest
speed
mps
[mph]
Direction
o: mpa - meters

Jan F»b
18 22'
41 49
NW NW
per second

Mar
24
53
mr

Frequencies of wind speed
in 2 of time Jan Feb
0 - 1 raps [ 0
2 - 3 mps [ 4
4 - 5 raps [ 8
6 - 7 mps [13
8-10 mps [19
11 - 13 taps [25
14 - 16 mps [32
1? - 20 mpa [39
Z 21 mpa [
- 3 mph] 9.
- 7 mph] 25.
- 12 mph] 34.
- 18 mph] 24.
- 24 mph] 4.
- 31 mph] 1.
- 38 mph] 0.
- 46 mph] 0
2 47 mph] 0
6 9.2
6 25.1
4 33.0
2 24.1
6 5.8
4 2.4
2 0.4
+
0

Apr
23
52
SE

Mar
8.6
23.2
33.5
22.7
7.0
3.6
1.1
0.2
0

May
19
43
NW

Apr
8.0
23.5
31.4
24.3
7.9
3.9
0.7
0.2
+

Jun
21
47
S


Jul
20
44
SE


Aug
18
40
SW

Monthly percent
May Jun Jul Aug
9.1
24.8
33.4
24.2
6.3
1.6
0.4.
+
0
9.8
25.2
34.0
23.0
3.4
1.5
0.3
+
0

Sep Oct
21 18
47 40
NW SW

Sep Oct
11.6 14.3 13.1 13.4
28.2 27.6
35.4 35.6
20.5 19.3
2.6 2.9
0.8 0.7
0.1 +a
+ 0
+ 0
30.4 33.5
34.1 33.0
18.9 16.6
2.9 2.7
0.6 0.6
0.1 0.3
0 0.1
0 0

Kov
18
40
NE

Nov
10.1
26.9
33.6
23.1
4.4
1.4
0.4
+
0

Dec
23
51
NE

Dec
10.2
25.8
34.2
22.2
5.2
1.8
0.5
0.2
0
Annual
mean
24
53
NW

Annual mean
10.6
25.7

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                                                      APPENDIX  FIGURE A-1
                     NNW
                                                    NE
    NSW
                ESE
                     SSW
SSE
LEGEND
      WIND SPEED
      1.6-5.4 nips (4-12 mph)
      5.4-11.0 mps (13-24 mph)
       > 11.0 nips ( 24 mph)
                                 ANNUAL FREQUENCIES  OF WINDS
                                  OF VARIOUS VELOCITIES  AT
                             STAPLETON AIRPORT, DENVER COLORADO
                             A-6

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ODOR
     Odor control is regulated by the Air Pollution Commission of the
Colorado Department of Health through Odor Emission Regulation #2
(Reference 126).    This regulation sets forth three types of odor
limits: for residential or commerical areas, odorous substances must be
undetectable from beyond the property line of the emission source after
having been diluted with 7 volumes of odor-free air; for other areas, a
dilution of 15 volumes of odor-free air must render the odor undetectable.
A special regulation exempts agricultural and manufacturing processes,
provided the best practicable methods have been employed to control
odors.  For all odor sources, there is an upper limit which must not
be exceeded:   odors must not be detectable after having been diluted with
127 volumes of odor-free air.
     In the Denver area spring and summer months are characterized by
high temperatures and low wind conditions.which contribute to odor
control problems.  The biological processes, with their attendant odor
problems, utilized in some wastewater treatment facilities are generally
accelerated by increase in temperature.   In water bodies receiving
nutrient run off, such as treatment plant lagoons and natural streams
experiencing low-flow conditions, eutrophication and decay of algal
growths can produce unpleasant odors.  Winds of low velocity may fail
to adequately disperse and dilute odors  as they move away from an odor
source.

 GEOLOGY
      The strata of the Denver Basin dip slightly toward the east,  while
 the strata of the Front Range have a steep dip.  The two geologic  regions
 are separated by a north-northwest, south-southeast trending zone  of
 sharp, almost vertical folds on the western edge of the Denver basin at
 the base of the foothills.  Surface geology of the Denver area is  shown
 in Appendix Figure A-2.   Unique and significant geological structures
 and formations are highlighted on Map E.  These features are described
 in Appendix Table A-2.
                            A-7

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     Most  of  the  surface of the study  area  is covered by unconsolidated
 Quaternary deposits which range in thickness from 0  to 20 m  [0 to 66 ft].
 Early  in the  Quaternary, before the Wisconsin glaciation, debris from the
 Front  Range formed large deltas in the Denver Basin.  The deltas included
 layers of  silt, sand and gravel as well as  some volcanic ash.  The pre-
 Wisconsin  Quaternary deposits are designated as Qsi  on the geologic map
 presented  on  Appendix Figure  .  The water  yield of  these deposits is
 small  and  generally of poor quality.
     The entire study area is underlain by  the Fox Hills Sandstone, a
 marine deposit of sandstone and shale  laid  down during the Upper Cretaceous.
 Calcarious  material is found throughout the formation.  The boundary
 between the Fox Hills Sandstone and the Laramie Formation is not sharp;
 it  grades  from the marine sediments of the  Fox Hills Sandstone to the
 brackish and  freshwater deposits of the Laramie.  The Laramie Formation
 is  characterized  by interbedded layers of shale, sandstone, limestone
 and coal.   The Fox Hills Sandstone and the  Laramie Formation serve as a
 high-yield aquifer.  The Laramie is unconformably covered by unconsolidated
 Quaternary deposits in the Weld County area, and farther south, in Adams
 and Arapahoe  counties, by intertongued deposits of Dawson Arkose, Arapa-
 hoe Sandstone and Denver Formation.  (References 819, 820,  821,  973,  974
and 975.)
                              A-8

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APPENDIX FIGURE  A-?.  SURFACfAL GEOLOGY
                               GEOLOGIC MAP

                      * OF AREAS IN THE VICINITY OF

                           METROPOLITAN DENVER

                         FOR EXPLANATION OF SYMBOLS
                         SEE THE FOLLOWING 2 PAGES

                         SOURCE: GENERALIZED SURFICIAL GEOLOGIC MAP
                               OF THE DENVER AREA,COLORADO

                 A-9

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APPENDIX FIGURE A-2 (Continued)

EXPLANATION
Loeu, rolian aand. collurium
undifferentiated
Silt **t taut itpout* 0-J«
rf ««d M*MM •* muck « /•
JW rtidL &r«rafrrf •«•<' <«( g reivf my
Post-Finer Creek alluvium. Piney Creek
Alluvium. pre-Piney Creek alluvion,
Broadway and Louviers Alhmama
Su4. gnrtl. tilt. **d eta*. Dtpotili rug*
fnm »-fOJert tkitlc. Stlnniti t**f mmf
frarelfwWw muck •* 1.000 gfm to "»"•-
CbitiaJ tnfi'ly eftnttr gtntnUf feat
Slotnm. Verdoa, and Rocky Flat*
Alluvium*
gaUM-tnr* tilt, d*r. till. MM!. .
Irun. ««rf lam. Ctant grant f»t mmt
•mf rolrtxir •«* ttitriit kifli *rnnMr
mm«f>.
WH /<«/(». rMdt J to j'ff* to mill
jrirrr Mfrroft »ifr. raaf. n< nrtwurau «*«lt
mrtnmmn. f*it rmttai* tkitkmatfnm
»n to lM»S*t. YitUt Ita tU» K ifm
It rrll* i* urnrf o/ f*c win. Uf M *•£* at
liOefm it wfAcMr fart. Jtmffir Mt>r
mtaiu kigt M«e>(ratfww «^ iimtftt
. in*.
Lower pan of Dawson Formation. Arap-
aboe Formation, and low* part of
Denver Formation
Wkiu to rillfr frtatit M*4Mmc m*d CH-
fltmrratt imltrttdiij tcillt fr*g. fnr*.
*mi nrd Omit t*i cfo|r«l*M. Coftaia
mU*riml mm* mn4fl*r mtdnitie tttritmm.
Gf*tl»m«ml* Mn tkMvm in ttfptr fart,
m*4 an Ikittrr »n. V*il n*f*
from yn to Livifitl Ikitt. Yirldt to rrlU
|1
Vohau&nckc
,* JMt JfM
Jbbtm O-*.
>b» f«j0»
«»
NW
ff

1
Upper part of Laramie Forawtte
lft-fnt tilil 'Me. tki* milt* •*•
limatfur. «W rtai CM/ IHrtnt i*
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APPENDIX FIGURE A-2 (Continued)
Lower put of Laramie Formation ud
PozHilEi Sandstone
m*4itt*t ISO-It JMt.
frmJinf iitlt fixrr fnittt
BtiVMM mmttlm infrrMM «tt
U0-JOO Jfa«. TIM
«MrtMM MD^HfOM. «(MM«.
rtn mmttftmmUi »«M 100 jpm ••< a
ia* «c*« JM »p«t. At pUett rater
Herre Side. Nlobrara Famutwn,
and Beaton Shale
, uxl Mui-tJkafe. Kurfyttalf, ••<
tkim Kmntfft: ttmt tillf tuxittt**. tn-
mJHoiai. dtatty ««rt c*tf luwtlm*.
(bite B^r Mil 3.000 fit! in Duitr fiuia.
Fimctmnt wu> i'« <* fttil Ftrmatiwu;
Triut*ic(>)**4Ptrmia* tyJti'w Formalist
UMfmtk Ptrmian ijwu &mdito« r/00
JMK «W Ltierr Ptrmia* a»d Ufptr *md
UUO* fV»ur(nuia« f««(ai. /Vra.
tin (l&tfittl. Lfom Snufotow. «fa>«
H ififpfc. trurttlly fitUt i to JO fpn. aul
•« mark •> to gpm to rrij» war txtcrop
uMtoi* /1»rmafi«« tatiq mtiltm-
ritUl toiipmttictUi. Wtttr
in aattirt inn *»tfliariti
U
z«
3*
XT
go
So
pCr
fpunui and meUnaorphie rocks
ondifferentiated
CrtwCc (wut. »c»i»(. fiuirfii'te. ptgrnttiU.
1**rtt mw. iiitruirr \g*tm net*. YitU
tttStfmtfttieralli good qualiti eater
to MO* (*>t hy frmttmm tr
11
Contact
?autt
Geological map of areas in the vicinity of Metropolitan Denver (cont'd)
A-ll
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APPENDIX Table A-2 GEOLOGICAL STRUCTURES AND FORMATIONS IN THE DENVER AREA3
Geologic name, nap symbol3 and description
Geologic name, map symbol3 and description"
THE FLATIRONS (2) Natural, Scenic
The upraised Fountain Formation dips steeply to the east here.

DEVILS THUMB (3) Natural, Scenic
This resistant sandstone outcrop of the Fountain Formation lies
immediately to the north of the Hoosier Fault which trends north-
west along Shadow Canyon.

MARSHALL MESA (4) Natural
This sandstone shelf on the Laramie and Fox Hills Formations is
the site of an unusual plant community.

ROCKY FLATS (6) Natural
Rocky Flats, a remnant of a high-level pediment, takes its name
from a thick fanshaped deposit of coarse gravel that has its apex
near the mouth of Coal Creek Canyon. Rocky Flats is similar to
gravel-capped bedrock erosion surfaces elsewhere along the South
Platte and Arkansas drainages near the foothills.

COAL CREEK CANYON (7) Natural
Coal Creek is named for coal-bearing rocks which it crosses east
of the mountains.

RALSTON BUTTES (8) Natural, Scenic
Ralston Buttes are eroded from upturned beds of the Fountain
Formation. A large fault zone along Ralston Creek helped guide.
the dissection.

LARAMIE FORMATION (9) Natural

As the Rocky Mountains were uplifted, normally horizontal strata
were tilted, folded, and fractured. Here sandstones of the nearly
vertical Laramie Formation form an imposing hogback near Leyden
Gulch. The Laramie Formation has been exploited for its com-
merical clay deposits and subbituminous coal.

NORTH TABLE MOUNTAIN (15) Natural, Scenic
SOUTH TABLE MOUNTAIN (15) Natural, Scenic

These flat-topped mountains are capped by remnants of basaltic
lava flows that probably originated from a volcanic vent near
Ralston Reservoir during Tertiary time. The slopes of both moun-
tains are littered with landslide debris, and some landslides
have affected irrigation ditches, railroads, and highways.

CLEAR CREEK CANYON (24) Natural, Historic

Clear Creek has cut a narrow canyon through hard Precambrian
rocks between Idaho Springs and Golden.

FOLIATIONS (28) Natural

Foliation and gneissic banding are widely evident in the Pre-
cambrian gneisses of the Idaho Springs Formation, especially in
Mount Vernon Canyon in the deep roadcuts of Interstate Highway
70 and its frontage road.

MOUNT VERNON CREEK WIND GAP (29) Natural
Ancient Mount Vernon Creek once flowed across the Hogback at this
point.

DAKOTA HOGBACK (59) Natural

Large hogback parallel to mountain front
Fossilized leaves, marine fish scales, dinosaur tracks, and rip-
ple marks have baen found in the sandstones and shales of the
Dakota Sandstone on the eastern slope of the Hogback. On the
western side, dinosaur bones have been found in the silts'tone and
sandstone beds of the underlying Morrison Formation.

RED ROCKS PARK (60) Natural, Historic, Scenic

World-famous Red Rocks Park is eroded from eastward-dipping beds
of the Fountain Formation, tilted by the uplift of the Rocky
Mountains.

DANIELS PARK AREA (69) Natural, Scenic
Here the highly dissected Castle Rock Conglomerate is underlain
by ash flow tuffs and by the Dawson Arkose.
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APPENDIX Table A-2 (Continued) GEOLOGICAL STRUCTURES AND FORMATIONS IN THE DENVER AREAa

Geologic name, map symbola and description

CASTLE ROCK (73) Natural
Castle Rock is a conspicuous landmark, above the town that bears its
name.

NORTH FORK OF THE SOUTH PLATTE RIVER (80) Natural, Historic
Buffalo Creek to South Platte
Between Buffalo Creek and South Platte, the North Fork of the South
Platte River flows across granite of .the Pikes Peak batholith. Ex-
foliation of the granite forms picturesque terrain that includes
Dome Rock, Chair Rocks, and Cathedral Spires.
ror location see Map G.
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Geological Hazard Areas
The most important potential problem related to geologic structures
and formations in the Denver area is the shrink-swell characteristics of
bentonitic clays found in the Denver-Arapahoe and other formations under-
lying most of the soils in the area. Soils in the foothills west of
Denver have a particularly high shrink-swell potential which places
severe natural restrictions on urban development. In other parts of the
study area this potential varies from moderate to low.
Shrink-swell potential is an important environmental consideration
in determining the suitability of land for urban development because
swelling clays provide very poor foundations and they can cause problems
such as slippage in steep areas and differential settling. In the
steep, western foothills where swelling clay problems are most severe,
construction activities need special planning which includes intensive
soil testing on each development site. Another, less widespread, geologic
hazard, land sliding, is encountered in areas having slopes greater than
25 percent which are supported by clay substrata (see Map C). These areas
are found in the same western foothills areas having severe shrink-swell
problems discussed above.
Other geologically-related hazards are posed in areas where sand,
gravel, clay, stone and coal have been mined in the past. Subsidance and
slope instability in the vicinities of the old mining sites are the most
likely problems to be experienced. The sites are predominantly located
along the northern, western and southern peripheries of the metropolitan
area (References 605, 606 and 607).
Finally, faults shown on Map C represent a potential geologic
hazard of very low significance due to the consideration that historic
seismic activity in the region has been minimal.
A-14
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APPENDIX TABLE A-3

APPROXIMATE ACREAGE AND PROPORTIONATE EXTENT OF
PRII^E AGRICULTURAL SOILS IN THE DENVER REGION
Soil Name
% slope
Percent of Total
Acreage County Acreage
Adams County
Adena loam
Adena loam
Adena-Colby Association
Ascalon loamy sand
Ascalon loamy sand
Ascalon sandy loam
Ascalon sandy loam
Ascalon-Platner Association
Ascalon-Vona sandy loams
Dacona loam
Dacona loam
Loamy alluvial land, moderately wet
Nunn loam
Nunn loam
Nunn clay loam
Nunn clay loam
Platner loam
Platner loam
Renohill loam
Satanta loam
Satanta loam
Stoneham loam
Terry fine sandy loam
Truckton loamy sand
Truckton sandy loam
Truckton sandy loam
Dim loam
Dim loam
Vona loamy sand
Vona sandy loam
Vona sandy loam
Vona sandy loam
Weld loam

Total

0.3
3-5
3-5
0-3
3-5
1-3
3-5
0-5
1-5
0-1
1-3
0-3
0-1
1-3
0-1
1-3
0-3
3-5
1-3
0-1
1-3
0-3
0-3
0-3
1-3
3-5
1-3
3-5
0-3
0-1
1-3
3-5
1-3

18,600
2,400
67,700
700
1,100
43,300
17,300
7,700
30,900
3,100
400
12,400
3,500
12,200
3,200
5,100
39,800
17,100
700
1,100
400
1,300
800
10,500
14,000
2,800
3,900
11,400
4,300
4,000
3,400
1,400
103,500
450,000

2.4
.3
8.1

.1
5.4
2.2
1.0
4.0
.4
*
1.5
.4
1.6
.4
.6
5.0
2.1
.1
.1
*
.2
.1
1.2
1.6
.3
".4
1.4
.5
.5
.4
.2
13.0
55.6

* Less than .05 percent.

Source: DRCOG, Reference 252
A-15
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% Slope Acreage
Percent of Total
County Acreage
Arapahoe County
Adena-Colby fine sandy loams
Adena-Colby silt loams
Baca loam
Bijou sandy loam
Bijou sandy loam, wet
Bresser loamy sand, terrace
Bresser sandy loam, terrace
Bresser loam, gravelly subsoil variant
Bresser-Truckton sandy loams
Buick loam
Edgewater loam
Fondis silt loam
Fondis silt loam
Fondis-Colby silt loams
Fort Collins loam
Nunn loam
Nunn-Bresser-Ascalon complex
Weld fine sandy loam
Weld silt loam
Weld silt loam
1-5
1-5
3-5
0-3
0-3
0-3
0-3
1-3
3-5
3-5
0-3
1-3
3-5
3-5
0-3
0-3
0-3
1-5
0-3
3-5
1,780
30,750
920
3,330
2,000
490
4,280
914
31,350
7,020
1,202
21,393
12,620
9,450
1,440
26,888
54,390
760
16,670
2,150
0.3
5.9
.2
.6
.4
.1
.8
.2
6.0
1.4
.2
4.1
2.4
1.8
.3
5.2
4
.1
3.2
.4
10
Total
229,797
44.0
Boulder County
Ascalon sandy loam
Ascalon sandy loam
Ascalon sandy loam
Ascalon-Otero complex
Ascalon-Otero complex
Calkins sandy loam
Calkins sandy loam
Colby silty clay loam
Colby silty clay loam
Colby silty clay loam, wet
Hargreave fine sandy loam
Loveland soils
Manter sandy loam
Manter sandy loam
Manvel loam
McClave clay loam
Nunn sandy clay loam
0-1
1-3
3-5
0-3
3-5
0-1
1-3
1-3
3-5
0-3
1-3
0-1
0-1
1-3
1-3
0-1
0-1
1,300
11,000
4,800
1,200
2,600
1,600
1,700
,300
,200
600
1,100
4,500
400
2,100
2,100
2,300
1,700
4,
2,5
0.5
4.5
2.0
.5
1.0
.7
.7
1.8
.9
.2
.5
1.9
.2
.9
.9
1.0
.7
A-16
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Percent of Total
Soil Name % Slope Acreage County Acreage
Nunn sandy clay loam 1-3 3,400 1.4
Nunn clay loam 0-1 6,800 2.8
Nunn clay loam 1-3 15,300 6.3
Nunn clay loam 3-5 5,300 2.2
Nunn-Kim complex 0-3 2,600 1.0
Valmont clay loam 1-3 5,200 2.1
Valmont clay loam 3-5 1,200 .5
Weld loamy sand 1-4 220 .1
Weld fine sandy loam 1-3 1,400 .6
Weld loam 0-1 500 .2
Weld loam 1-3 3,400 1.4
Weld-Colby complex 0-3 1,900 .8
Weld-Colby complex 3-5 -500 .2_

Total 93,220 38.5
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HYDROLOGY
The study area is within the South Platte River drainage hasin.
Principal tributaries to the South Platte in the area include Plum
Creek, Bear Creek, Clear Creek, Cherry Creek, Sand Creek, Big Dry
Creek, Coal Creek, and a tributary of Boulder Creek which flows into the
St. Vrain Creek and into the South Platte River north of the study area,
drain the northwest portion of the area.
The South Platte River rises in the mountains to the west near
the continental divide and has a drainage area approximately 4,713
square miles above the Henderson gage north of Denver. The river is
characteristic of snow melt streams; approximately 75% of the annual
flow occurs during the spring and early part of the summer months, the
remaining 25% of the flow occur during the fall and the winter months.
The annual variations of stream discharges are directly related to the
snow pack accumulated during the previous winter.
The tributaries of Bear Creek, Clear Creek, Boulder Creek and
Coal Creek rise in the western mountains and have the characteristics
of a snow melt stream. Cherry Creek, Sand Creek, Big Dry Creek and
Plum Creek rise on the plains east of the mountains and join the South
Platte River in the vicinity of Denver. The flows in these streams are
characteristic of streams that rise on the high plains and respond
vigorously to frontal storm and thunderstorm type events.
Natural stream flows generally reach a peak during May or June due
to snow melt in the mountains while the natural low flow period is
usually in January or February. Low flows on some of the tributaries,
however, can be caused by irrigation diversions during August and
September.
The historic average daily discharge of the South Platte River,
measured at the Henderson gage is 366 cfs. The average daily flows
range from 4.4 cfs. during the latter part of the summer months to as
much as 110,000 cfs recorded at the Littleton gage south of Denver
during a severe flooding situation. Generally, the peak flows re-
corded during the snow melt period can be as much as 5,000 cfs. Two
A-18
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recent floods on the South Platte River occurred duirng June 1965 and
May 1973. The June 1965 flood had a recorded peak discharge of 110,000
cfs and was attributed to a series of severe thunderstorm cells in the
headwaters of Plum Creek with minor runoff contribution from the other
tributaries. The flood on the South Platte River in May 1973 was
a combination of a broad, frontal type storm and a rapid snow melt.
The peak discharge was measured at 33,000 cfs.
The South Platte River flows over many different geologic units.
The river rises in the precambriam and granite hard rock mountains
to the west near the continental divide. Glaciers that laid down
extensive deposits of clay and sand and gravel modified the stream
valleys and the flow regime of the South Platte River in the mountains.
The sand and gravel deposits contain a groundwater reservoir that sup-
ports a base flow in the South Platte River. As the river and its tribu-
taries flow from the mountains and onto the plains, the geologic units
change from the hard rocks to sandstone and shale, and stream and terrace
alluvium. As the streams flow from the mountains, water percolates
through the stream bed and recharges the sandstone aquifers that comprise
the Denver basin groundwater system. Further onto the plains area, the
streams stop losing water to the sandstone aquifers and receive ground-
water discharge from shallow groundwater aquifers. Much of the flow
in the river and its tributaries during the latter part of the summer
months is a result of groundwater discharge from the shallow ground-
water aquifers.
Flow in the South Platte River and it's tributaries are heavily
regulated by diversions for irrigation, transmountain diversions into
the basin, and by numerous reservoirs that store water for irrigation
and flood control.
Flows in Plum Creek and the South Platte River south of Littleton,
are controlled by the recently completed Chatfield Dam. The Cherry
Creek dam divides the upper and lower portions of the Cherry Creek
basin. Flows in Cherry Creek below the dam are sometimes comprised
entirely of urban runoff. The Bear Creek Lake dam under construction
A-19
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on Bear Creek near Morrison is expected to control the flows on Bear
Creek sometime after mid-1977.
At times, the flow in Clear Creek below Golden is primarily from
sewage treatment plant effluent. During the summer months, parts of the
stream can be dry due to irrigation diversions. Sand Creek is frequent-
ly an intermittent stream with periods of no flow. Coal Creek and
Boulder Creek, with the exception of where Boulder Creek passes through
the town of Boulder, cross primarily agricultural lands.
Standley Lake northwest of Denver controls the upper portion of
Big Dry Creek. Normal flows in this tributary are primarily irriga-
tion and irrigation return flows in addition to urban runoff. The lower
reaches of the stream pass through predominantly irrigated agricultural
lands.
The center of the study area in Denver is heavily urbanized
while the perimeter regions around the urban area are agricultural or
range land, a significant portion being primarily cropland. Two
types of runoff may occur; urbanized runoff from streets and other
covered area and agricultural runoff.
Past urbanization has severely constricted some of the drainage-
ways to the point where structural measures are necessary to safely
pass the 100-year flood without substantial property damage. In recent
years, an increase in flood damage awareness and proper drainage plan-
ning is helping to keep the remaining drainageways free from development.
Uncontrolled- urbanization increases runoff and the flood damage
potential to downstream development. The Urban Drainage and Flood
Control District, which covers essetnially the entire planning area,
has an increasingly active planning effort to solve or prevent drainage
problems. Some of the municipalities and counties within the area have
restrictions limiting the peak rate of runoff from developing lands to
the historic rate. The basin or region wide effect of requiring in-
dividual developments to provide detention to meet historic peak
runoff requirements is yet to be determined for the study area. The
aggregate effect may be higher peak rates of runoff for downstream
A-20
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reaches because detained hydrographs from individual sub basins are
long and flat and are more likely to become additive. Problems are
encountered with supervision of construction, responsibility for
maintenance and eventual elimination of the controlling mechanisms
by third parties. For these reasons, present major drainage planning
is based on future basin development and considers that detention
requirements will not be effective.
WATER SUPPLY
Water for the study area comes from three major sources, the
natural flow of the South Platte River and its tributaries, trans-
mountain diversions and groundwater.
The South Platte River and its tributaries are the major
source of natural surface supply to the study area. Monthly flows
in the South Platte system vary greatly and are dependent upon the
weather. The most significant factor on surface water flows is
the rate of snow melt and spring rain which contribute the greatest
portion of the total flow. The natural flow of the South Platte
River, however, is insufficient to meet the total demand of munici-
pal, industrial and agricultural uses. Augmentation to the basin
from transmountain diversion project has been necessary to meet the
growing demand.
The source of transmountain diversion water is the upper regions
of the Colorado River basin. The primary transmountain diversion
projects are the Moffat Tunnel System which diverts a present estimated
annual yield of 60,000 acre feet through the Moffat Tunnel from the
Fraser River; the Blue River system diverting into the basin through
Dillon Reservoir and the Roberts Tunnel with a present annual inflow
of 125,000 acre feet; and the Homestake Project which presently di-
verts 12,000 acre feet from the upper Colorado basin into the Arkansas
River for transport to a point where it is pumped into the South Platte
River near Eleven Mile Reservoir for use by the City of Aurora (2).
The City of Englewood has developed a transmountain diversion system
A-21
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in the Ranch Creek area north of the Moffat Tunnel System of Denver
which is carried through Denver's system with an interagency exchange
between Denver and Englewood. A small portion of the northern part of
the study area receives water from the Colorado-Big Thompson project
through the Alva B. Adams tunnel owned by the Northern Colorado Water
Conservancy District. Although primarily constructed for supplemental
agricultural water, a number of towns in the northern part of the
state have acquired and used this water in their municipal systems. The
contribution of water to the study area is small with most of the service
area north of the metropolitan Denver region.
The historic average annual amount of transbasin water into the
study area is approximately 87,600 acre feet (3). This compared with
a flow in the South Platte River at Henderson in the northern part of
the study area of 251,400 acre feet per year. In a dry year, such as
1954, the South Platte flow of Henderson was 75,460 acre feet. 1954
was one of the lowest years of record in the South Platte basin above
Henderson.
The primary use of transmountain water is for municipal and in-
dustrial purposes in the study area. Under the Colorado water law
an importer of transmountain water has the right to successive use of
the water, whereas, water originating in the basin of use can only
be used once. There is at present some successive use of transmountain
water by several area agencies including Denver and Aurora. Once
water is discharged into the stream system, it is available for di-
version by others downstream.
Groundwater is another source of water although the quantity when
measured against the requirements of the area is small. According to
estimates, approximately 19,000 acre feet can be drawn from groundwater
by existing wells which is about 5% of the total demand. Groundwater
sources include both shallow groundwater from the sand and gravel
acquifers and deep groundwater from the bed rock of a confined acquifer.
The use of groundwater has historically satisfied the needs of small
suppliers and those not located near an available surface water source.
A-22
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Regional development pressure will result in more urban com-
petition for irrigation water. Perhaps more direct reuse will also
result. There will be greater pressure for more importation of west
slope water and for its subsequent reuse.
A-22a
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WATER QUALITY

Introduction
The purpose of this portion of the appendix is to discuss existing
water quality within the study area and the interrelationships between
stream basin characteristics, existing water quality, desired water
quality and the probable causes for present discrepancies between exist-
ing and desired water quality. The organization of the remainder of
this section is: (1) a brief description of the various stream basins
within the study area, (2) presentation of the desired water quality
goals for the basins, (3) a review of the existing water quality, by
basin, and (4) discussion of the discrepancies noted, with suggested
reasons for these discrepancies.

Basin Characteristics
The general water resource characteristics of the study area, in-
cluding the major tributaries to the South Platte, water supply or flood
reservoirs, and the hydrology and water supply, have been described ear-
lier. Following are discussions of the characteristics of the major ba-
sins within the study area which bear on water quality considerations.
(See Map E for stream locations.)

Cherry Creek Basin
This basin, with a drainage area of 409 square miles, extends from
the southeast portion of the study area northwest to the central portion
of the Denver Metropolitan area.
Above Cherry Creek Dam and Reservoir, the basin is largely undevel-
oped, consisting mainly of dispersed homes and farms, with minor concen-
trations of residential and industrial areas. Cherry Creek Reservoir is
a major flood control project, providing recreational opportunities for
the study area population. Discharge from the reservoir occurs only dur-
ing periods of high pool elevation as a result of storm water flows re-
ceived from its two main tributaries, Cherry Creek and Cottonwood Creek.
Otherwise, there are prolonged periods when no flow is discharged from
the reservoir to the lower portion of Cherry Greek (Reference 229).
A-23
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The lower portion of Cherry Creek is principally within the City
and County of Denver and traverses areas of industrial development.
Crossing the creek just below the reservoir is the Highline Canal, a
major irrigation canal diverting water from the South Platte and serving
the eastern and northeastern portions of the study area. City Ditch, an
irrigation canal, crosses Cherry Creek just prior to its confluence with
the South Platte. This lower portion of Cherry Creek also passes through
the city of Glendale, a small municipality surrounded by the City and
County of Denver. Old sanitary landfills which have been converted to
parks or shopping centers are situated adjacent to much of the lower
portion of Cherry Creek (Reference 229).
The climate of the basin is basically semiarid, with intermittent
rainfall and seasonal storms. The upper portion of Cherry Creek has a
wide stream bed and shallow waters (Reference 259). The lower portion
has been channelized in places, particularly in the section from the
Denver Country Club to the creek's confluence with the South Platte
(Reference 229). Stream bank vegetation is sparse; banks have been un-
dercut; and the stream bed has become heavily silted (Reference 259).
The lower portion of Cherry Creek, passing through a rapidly urban-
izing area, has the potential for experiencing nonpoint-source pollution
from urban washoff, abandoned landfills and several sand and gravel pit
operations. Point sources of pollution are principally effluent from the
City of Glendale*s sewage treatment plant and overflows from the Highline
Canal (Reference 229).
The upper portion of the basin likely experiences nonpoint-source
pollution from surface runoff from nonurban or agricultural land (Refer-
ence 229).
Sand Creek Basin
The Sand Creek basin consists of Sand Creek and its major tribu-
taries: Toll Gate Creek, East and West Toll Gate creeks, Murphy Creek
and Coal Creek. Sand Creek has a drainage area of approximately 183
square miles, draining the plains area to the east and south of the Denver
Metropolitan area (Reference 259).
A-24
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The upper portion of the basin, from the creek's source to the town
of Aurora, is mostly undeveloped, passing through primarily agricultural
land. Entering from the Cherry Creek Basin, the Highline Canal crosses
West Toll Gate Creek, crossing again just below the confluence of East
and West Toll Gate creeks. The upper portion still has a relatively un-
disturbed stream channel with good bank vegetation; however, the bank
vegetation becomes less abundant on approaching Aurora. The stream bed
near Aurora has been extensively channelized, and because the upper
drainage area is mostly in the plains, with relatively low annual rain-
fall, streamflow is intermittent (Reference 259).
The lower portion of Sand.Creek, below Aurora to the confluence
with the South Platte, has been extensively channelized. Stream bank
vegetation has been removed, and siltation from bank erosion is occur-
ring. The area between Aurora and South Platte is experiencing rapid
growth, with heavy industrial development taking place (Reference 229).
Flows from point sources located in the lower portion are the ef-
fluents from the Aurora and Fitzsimmons sewage treatment plants and
treated industrial waste from the Refinery Corporation. In addition,
the Burlington Ditch, another irrigation canal diverting water from the
South Platte, crosses Sand Creek near its confluence with the South
Platte and periodically contributes leakage flows to the lower portion
of Sand Creek.
Agricultural runoff and some minor irrigation return flows contrib-
ute to the pollutant loads in the upper portion of Sand Creek, particu-
larly during periods of heavy rainfall (Reference 229).
Bear Creek Basin
The Bear Creek basin, located west of the Denver Metropolitan area,
consists of the area drained by Bear Creek and its major tributaries:
Turkey Creek and Troublesome Creek. Bear Creek, with a drainage area of
260 square miles, flows from the Rocky Mountains to Morrison and then
northeastward to its confluence with the South Platte (Reference 259).
The upper portion of Bear Creek, in the mountainous area, often
A-25
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experiences high rainfall, with resultant potential for flash flooding
downstream. The stream bed in this portion is comprised of rock and
gravel substrate and, with its steep banks and attendant vegetation
cover, provides one of the better cold water fisheries in the study
area. Small communities such as Evergreen and Kittredge are located in
the upper portion (Reference 259).
The lower portion of Bear Creek, from Morrison to the confluence
with the South Platte, has been silted because of increasing land devel-
opment and resultant runoff. The proposed Carbon Dam and Reservoir is
to be located in this portion. Presently, the Denver Water Board oper-
ates a large water treatment plant (Marston) in the lower portion of the
creek. This plant provides approximately one-half of the potable water
supply for the City of Denver. Raw water storage for the plant is pro-
vided in Marston Lake. There are also numerous diversion ditches in the
lower portion, utilizing flows from Bear Creek and Turkey Creek to fur-
nish water for Marston Lake and other water reservoirs as well as irri-
gation water both in and outside of Bear Creek Basin. The major diver-
sion ditches are the Bergen, Independent Highline, Spickerman Middle,
Churn, Cybler, Hindry, Lewis and Strouse, R. Lewis, Warrior, Ward,
Arnett-Harriman, Hodgson, Pioneer Union and McBroom ditches (Reference
229).
The upper portion of Bear Creek presently has no major point sources
of pollution. However, acid mine drainage and tunnel discharges, in ad-
dition to some nonurban agricultural runoff, contribute to the nonpoint-
source potential (Reference 229).
The lower portion of the creek has as its major point source the ef-
fluent from the sewage treatment plant at Morrison. Nonpoint sources of
pollution are principally urban runoff, particularly in the area south of
Lakewood and just prior to Bear Creek's confluence with the South Platte,
and agricultural runoff above Marston Lake. Irrigation return flows also
occur, although to a lesser extent than for other nonpoint sources, pri-
marily because of the conversion of irrigated lands into urban develop-
ment and the transfer of irrigation water rights to other areas such as
municipal water supply (Reference 229).

A-26
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Clear Creek Basin—
The Clear Creek basin, located northwest of the Denver Metropolitan
area, extends westward past the city of Golden and in addition to Clear
Creek includes Ralston, Leyden, Van Bibber and Little Dry creeks.
Clear Creek has a drainage area of 247 square miles. Its headwa-
ters originate in the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, and the creek
flows eastward to its confluence with the South Platte. The mountainous
reaches of Clear Creek often experience periods of high rainfall, with
a consequent potential for flash flooding throughout the basin (Refer-
ence 259).
The upper portion of the basin, extending from the Front Range to
the Farmers Highline Canal just below the city of Golden, contains a
great deal of undeveloped land, and stream bank vegetation is still abun-
dant. There are also numerous diversion ditches providing water for do-
mestic water supply, brewery and irrigation uses, both in and out of the
Clear Creek basin. The major ditches are the Church, Agricultural,
Croke, Farmers Highline, Lee Stewart and Eskins, Rock Mountain, Wanne-
maker, Slough, Cort Graves and Hughes, Ouelette, Reno and Juchem (Refer-
ence 229).
The Denver Water Board owns and operates the Moffat water treatment
plant in the upper portion of Clear Creek Basin, which supplies about 40
percent of the Board's total water supply. The raw water supply is from
Ralston Reservoir, at the head of Ralston Creek. This reservoir in turn
is supplied by the Moffat Tunnel/Boulder Creek/South Boulder Creek Diver-
sion Canal system (Reference 229).
The lowem portion of the Clear Creek basin is heavily developed,
with the cities of Arvada, Crestview, Wheatridge and Clear Creek Valley
being major residential and industrial growth areas. Urban development
and agricultural uses have reduced stream bank vegetation and changed
drainage patterns. Agricultural diversion ditches, principally the
Swadley Logan, Manhart, Reithman, Heller, Burlington, Boyles, Fisher,
Kershaw, Clear Creek and Colorado Agriculture ditches, supply irrigation
waters used in this portion of the basin.
A-27
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The upper portion of the basin has experienced mining activities
resulting in sedimentation and acid runoff from mine tailings. The ma-
jor point sources of pollution in this portion are the effluents from
the Coors wastewater treatment plant and cooling waters. Agricultural
withdrawals through the Farmers Highline Canal have been substantial, at
times reducing stream flows in the upper portion essentially to zero.
Nonpoint sources of pollution, in addition to the acid mine wastes noted,
are from nonurban agricultural runoff, sand and gravel operations, and
sanitary landfills (Reference 229).
The lower portion experiences point-source pollution primarily from
the Clear Creek Valley, Wheatridge, Arvada and Crestview sewage treatment
plants. Nonpoint sources are principally urban and agricultural runoff
and some irrigation return flows (Reference 229).
South Platte River Basin—
The South Platte River basin includes the main stem of the South
Platte River, from a point above Chatfield Reservoir through the metro-
politan area of Denver and northeastward to the Weld County line. It
consists of major portions of the Upper South Platte, Plum Creek, South
Metro, Lakewood and Lower South Platte basins, with a total drainage
area of approximately 581 square miles (Reference 259).
The headwaters of the South Platte River originate in the steep
foothills of the Rocky Mountains; the upper portions of the river, to
Chatfield Reservoir, have experienced little urban development. Upstream
from Chatfield Reservoir are two major diversions: the Denver Municipal
Aqueduct, conveying water for treatment to the Kassler and Marston water
treatment plants; and the Highline Canal, providing irrigation water to
the Cherry, Sand and lower South Platte basins. The average rainfall in
the mountain areas is considerably higher than in the plains area and
results in periodic flash flooding in the upper reaches.
The South Platte has been divided into two segments for the purpose
of stream classification. The upper segment extends from the river's
source to Exposition Avenue, and the lower segment, from Exposition Ave-
nue to the Nebraska State line (Reference 229).
A-28
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The upper portion includes Chatfield Reservoir, a flood control
reservoir, and the rapidly growing towns of Littleton and Englewood,
which serve as the southern boundary of the Denver Metropolitan area.
Bear Creek basin flows also enter the South Platte in this upper por-
tion. Chatfield Reservoir releases low-temperature, high-quality waters
to the South Platte; however, below the reservoir, the increasing urban
development has reduced stream bank vegetation, has begun to silt the
river as a result of urban runoff, and has changed the temperature and
flow regimes of this portion of the river (Reference 229).
The lower porton of the South Platte passes through the City and
County of Denver, flowing northward past the city of Thornton, through
South Adams County and the city of Brighton, to Weld County and the
Nebraska State line. The City and County of Denver is heavily developed
residentially, commercially and industrially, and the city of Thornton,
South Adams County and Rocky Mountain Arsenal,areas are developing in a
like manner. Beyond the arsenal, the bas-n is still principally devoted
to agriculture. Flows from the Clear Creek, Sand Creek and Cherry Creek
basins also enter the South Platte in its lower portion. Sedimentation,
urban runoff and the reduction of stream bank vegetation have eliminated
stream pool areas, resulting in a more braided stream with less defini-
tion of channel.
Besides the municipal aqueduct and the Highline Canal mentioned pre-
irrigation water for the South Platte River Basin. Major diversions in
the lower portion are the City, Farmers/Gardners, Burlington (which also
receives effluent from the Denver Metro sewage treatment plant), Fulton
and Brantner ditches, all providing irrigation or industrial waters to
the South Platte Basin (Reference 229).
The upper portion's major point sources of pollution are the sewage
treatment plant effluents from Littleton and Englewood and cooling water
return flow from the Arapahoe steam power plant owned by the Public Ser-
vice Commission (PSC). Nonpoint pollution sources, principally below
Chatfield Reservoir, stem from urban development in the Littleton/Engle-
wood area (Reference 229).
A-29
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The lower portion's point sources are the effluents from the South
Lakewood, Metro, South Adams and Brighton sewage treatment plants; cool-
ing water return flows from the PSC Zuni and Cherokee power plants; and
industrial waste from Gates Rubber. Nonpoint sources are urban runoff,
particularly in the City and County of Denver area; agricultural runoff
downstream of 84th Avenue to Brighton; and various storm sewer overflows
(Reference 229).
Big Dry Creek Basin—
Big Dry Creek, located north of the Denver Metropolitan area, has
a drainage area of approximately 111 square miles, with a fairly uniform,
semiarid climate and evenly distributed rainfall (Reference 259).
The upper portion, from the headwaters originating in the foothills
of the Rocky Mountains to Standley Reservoir, has been suitable for cold
water fishery and presently is not heavily developed. The lower portion,
from Standley Reservoir to the creek's confluence with the South Platte,
has constricted stream channels, low average flows resulting from
low releases from Standley Reservoir, and stream bank vegetation has
been removed (Reference 259).
The upper portion of the creek presently does not receive pollutants
from any major point sources, and nonpoint sources are principally non-
urban and agricultural runoff. There are no major agricultural diver-
sions in this portion, irrigation waters being supplied principally from
diversions in> the Clear Creek basin (Reference 229).
Below Standley Reservoir, the lower portion of the creek has two
point sources of pollution: sewage treatment plant effluents from West-
minster and Brcornfield. This portion receives nonpoint-source pollution
from agricultural runoff and has several major irrigation ditches such
as the German, Bull and Thompson ditches (Reference 229).
Coal Creek Basin—
Coal Creek runs northeastward from the Rocky Mountain foothills to
its confluence with Boulder Creek and has a drainage area of 65 square
miles. The basin has two portions: the upper, from the headwaters to
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the Route 93 bridge; and the lower, from the bridge to the confluence
with Boulder Creek. The basin is characterized by a semiarid climate
with low, intermittent rainfall and seasonal storms, particularly in
the upper portion (Reference 259).
The upper portion, with abundant stream bank vegetation and a rocky
bottom, has been a natural trout fishery. Although there are no major
point sources of pollution in this portion, coal mining has created some
nonpoint-source pollution from acid mine drainage (Reference 259).
The lower portion experiences lower flows than the upper portion,
and sedimentation from agricultural nonpoint-source runoff has further
degraded the stream. Point-sourceflows are the sewage treatment plant
effluents from Lafayette, Louisville and Erien (Reference 139).
Boulder Creek Basin—
The Boulder Creek basin is located in the northwest portion of the
study area and has approximately 366 square miles of drainage area. Its
major tributaries are South Boulder Creek, entering just east of Boulder,
and Coal Creek. There are two major portions: the upper, from the head-
waters to Highway 119; and the lower, from Highwa- 119 to the creek's
confluence with St. Vrain Creek (Reference 259).
The upper portion, to the west of Boulder, has a stable stream bed,
has abundant stream bank vegetation and supports a cold water fishery.
Development has not been significant, thus reducing the potential for
nonpoint-source pollution (Reference 259).
The lower portion of the basin is characterized by the urban area
of Boulder; the Barber Reservoir, a water supply source; and agricultural
activities farther downstream. Streamflow fluctuates significantly be-
cause of dam releases; the stream bed is sandy, rather than rocky as in
the upper portion; stream bank vegetation is diminished; and irrigation
diversions further reduce natural streamflow (Reference 259).
The upper portion presently has no major point-source pollution in-
puts, nor are nonpoint sources a major pollution factor.
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The basin's lower portion has point-source pollution inputs from
the Boulder/White Rocks sewage treatment plant. Nonpoint sources are
agricultural runoff, several sand and gravel operations between 55th
Street and 75th Street, and irrigation ditch seepage. Major diversion
ditches in this portion are the South Boulder Diversion, South Boulder
Canyon, Community, Davidson, Marshallville and Lower Boulder ditches
(Reference 229).
Desired Water Quality
During the 208 planning study, various water uses were considered
and evaluated for the study area. Four broad* areas of desirable use
were identified: agriculture (irrigation and livestock watering), rec-
reation (primary and secondary contact), maintenance of aquatic life
(cold- and warm-water fisheries and stream or lake aesthetics) and do-
mestic raw water supply.
Stream classifications and the requisite stream quality parameter
values for these uses are indicated in Table II-A. The values shown are
those used during the initial phases of the 208 Study; they will be uti-
lized in this report both as being consistent with the available data
base and as representing the latest available information. Table II-B6
indicates the classification, by reach, of the streams within the study
area.
It should be noted that recently (7 December 1976) the State has
considered revisions in the classification system and quality parameter
values to take into account seasonal uses. The suggested changes that
represent major departures from the information presented in Table II-A
are as follows (Reference 259):
(1) dissolved oxygen for cold water fisheries would be raised from
6.0 to 7.0 mg/1; temperature values for cold-water fisheries
would be a maximum of 20°C with 3° change; and values for warm-
water fisheries, 30°C maximum with 3°C change;
(2) pollution indicators (NHg + NHi/, BOD5, N03 and total P) were
noted; values were suggested for these indicators which, al-
A-32
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though not to be construed as stream standards, would point
out limits beyond which environmental degradation can be ex-
pected to occur;
(3) the values for the pollution indicators in (2), above, are
5.0 mg/1 for NH3+ + NHi,; 5.0 mg/1 for BOD5; 4.0 mg/1 for N03
(as N); and for total phosphorus (as P): 0.025 mg/1 for lakes
and 0.1 mg/1 for streams;
(4) values for total dissolved solids will not be mandatory but
will be established by the Colorado Water Quality Control Com-
mission on a case-by-case basis.
Table II-C presents historical and present uses; present State stream
classification; and the latest suggested use potential and classifica-
tion of the major streams in the study area. It should be recognized
that the use potential represents goals for the study area consistent
with the "fishable and swimmable waters" by 1983 and "zero" discharge
by 1985 as mandated by the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amend-
ments of 1972.
Existing Water Quality
Data Sources—
The year 1972 was taken as representing the base year for flows and
water quality. Flow records of the U.S. Geological Survey were examined
for the following stations:
(1) in the Bear Creek basin: Morrison and Sheridan;
(2) in the Cherry Creek basin: at the confluence with the South
Platte;
(3) in the Clear Creek basin: Golden and near the mouth at Derby;
(4) in the South Platte basin: Waterton, Littleton, in Denver,
and Henderson.
Stream quality data were extracted from input data files of the 208 plan-
ning program's Hydrocomp model for the South Platte at Blakeland; Bear
Creek at Morrison; Cherry Creek at Franktown and the Reservoir; and Clear

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Creek at Golden. Similarly, data files were extracted and reviewed for

diversion and point-source flows and for quality data. Finally, the

Hydrocomp model outputs for maximum-minimum water quality data were re-

viewed for the South Platte at 38th Avenue (Reach 11) and Henderson

(Reach 15); Bear Creek at its mouth near Sheridan (Reach 7); Cherry

Creek at its mouth near 16th Avenue (Reach 7); Sand Creek at its mouth

near Commerce City (Reach 12); and Clear Creek at its mouth near Derby

(Reach 13). Additional water quality data were obtained from References

228, 259 and 209.

Table II-D indicates the wastewater treatment facilities that were

investigated for their impact upon stream water quality. The first 14

were input into the Hydrocomp model, whereas the remaining six were eval-

uated on the basis of best available information.

Industrial facilities which were input into the Hydrocomp model in-

clude the Refinery Corporation on Sand Creek; Coors cooling waters on

Clear Creek; and Gates Rubber and PSC Zuni, Arapaho and Cherokee power

plants on the South Platte.

The following subsections present the existing water quality of the
study area by basin. The water quality of the study area can be classi-

fied by seasonal flow characteristics, as follows:

November through March—winter season. Water quality during
this period basically reflects a mixture of point sources,
ground water and occasional additions of urban snowmelt flows.
The water quality problems that occur during this period are
due to concentrated urban pollutants in runoff and low tempera-
tures suppressing natural stream cleansing mechanisms. Bac-
teria, BOD, oil and grease are high and DO is low.

April through June—spring season. High and flood runoff flows
from snowmelt and frequent rainstorms maintain good water qual-
ity since most runoff source areas are in natural terrain. Suf-
ficient flow permits flushing and dilution of point water pol-
lution sources and nonpoint urban contaminants in spite of
heavy irrigation withdrawals.

July through October—summer/fall season. Water users divert
all available flow. Water quality is influenced by point
sources, irrigation return flows and irrigation ditch seepage
return and leaks since these comprise the majority of the flow.
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Minor local thunderstorm (covering areas up to a few square
miles) runoff of highly contaminated urban surface pollutants
is usually captured by irrigation ditches. Larger runoff
events and those below diversion points cause temporarily high
BOD, bacteria and suspended solid loads to streams. High nu-
trient levels and high water temperatures cause algal growth
and extreme diurnal fluctuations in water quality. This period
of year generally has the worst water quality conditions.
(Reference 228)
Bear Creek Basin—
Flows at Morrison averaged approximately 20 cubic feet per second
(cfs) during the winter season; 50 cfs in the spring season, with flows
peaking in June near 125 cfs; and approximately 37 cfs in the summer/fall
season, with occasional peaks reaching 50 cfs as a result of thunderstorm
events. Diversions occurred only during the spring and summer/fall sea-
sons, averaging approximately 36 cfs in the spring and 29 cfs in the sum-
mer/fall.
At Morrison, the temperature nearly equalled, or exceeded, the 15°C
limit during the late spring and early summer (June-September). Dissolved
oxygen levels ranged from a low of 8 mg/1 in June, climbing steadily in
the fall, to a winter level between 11 and 15 mg/1. BOD5 showed a fairly
constant level of approximately 3 mg/1 throughout the year. Total dis-
solved solids were relatively low, showing a downward trend in the spring
to about 85 mg/1, and were approximately 90 mg/1 the remainder of the
year. Ammonia and nitrate levels were constant at 0.13 and 0.31 mg/1,
respectively. However, phosphate levels were higher than the desired
level of 0.05 mg/1, being constant at 0.23 mg/1. Also, coliform and coli-
strep were consistently higher than suggested limits for urban irrigation.
Coliforms were at the limit of 200/100 ml during the summer/fall and win-
ter seasons and reached a peak (in April) in the summer of 1,500/100 ml.
Colistrep averaged 300/100 ml during the summer/fall and winter months
and reached a peak (in June) of 1,000/100 ml in the summer.
Bear Creek at its mouth showed the same general trends for tempera-
ture and dissolved oxygen as were exhibited in the upstream portions.
Temperatures ranged from 3°C to 17°C in the winter, from 17°C to 25°C in
A-35
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the spring, and from 28°C down to 14°C in the summer /fall. There was no
instance in which temperature exceeded the desired limit of 30°C. Dis-
solved oxygen levels for the same periods were 10.5 to 12 mg/1, 11.0 to
8.5 mg/1 and 8.5 to 10 mg/1, respectively.
At the mouth, BODs exhibited numerous short-duration peaks, spread
fairly uniformly throughout the year, with average base levels of around
4.0 mg/1. The peaks, however, were substantial in terms of magnitude,
ranging from 19 to 42 mg/1. Ammonia and nitrates also showed numerous
peaks throughout the year, corresponding closely in time to the BODs
peaks. Base levels for ammonia and nitrates averaged approximately 0.2
and 1.0 mg/1, respectively, with peaks ranging from 0.3 to 1.8 mg/1 and
2 to 6 mg/1, respectively. Phosphates showed considerably fewer peaks;
however, those occurring did correspond in time with those for BODs, ^H3
and N03. The base level of POi, averaged 0.3 mg/1 during the entire year.
Those peaks thit did occur (three in the spring, one in the summer/fall
and one in the winter) ranged from 0.7 to 2.3 mg/1. TDS level fluctua-
tions corresponded more closely with NH3 than the other parameters dis-
cussed above. Base levels averaged approximately 220 mg/1, with peaks
ranging from 1,100 to 3,800 mg/1.
Coliform and colistrep values were consistently higher than sug-
gested values. They again followed the general time pattern of NH3 and
TDS, with base levels of approximately 300 and 700/100 ml, respectively.
However, both exhibited sustained high levels in the winter months of
November and December. Peak values for coliform and colistrep ranged
from 1,000 to 12,500/100 ml and 1,000 to 154,000/100 ml, respectively.
Cherry Creek Basin —
There are no available streamf low records for Cherry Creek above
Cherry Creek Reservoir. At the mouth, flows averaged approximately 12.5
cfs during the winter, 17.5 cfs during the spring and 15 cfs during the
summer/fall season. Flow peaks were noted in April (30 and 85 cfs); May
(35 cfs); June (90 and 50 cfs); August (30, 33 and 83 cfs); September
C63 cfs); and November (45 cfs).
A-36
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Water quality above the reservoir at Franktown showed temperatures
ranging from 1°C to 4°C in the winter; 5°C to 16°C in the spring; and
30°C down to 10°C in the summer/fall. Dissolved oxygen during the same
seasons ranged from 12 to 14 mg/1; 11 down to 9 mg/1; and 9 to 11 mg/1,
respectively. BODs levels were 2 mg/1 during the winter, 1.3 mg/1 during
the spring and 3 mg/1 during the summer/fall. TDS levels were constant
at 250 mg/1 during the summer/fall and winter seasons, dropping to about
75 mg/1 during the spring. None of these parameters approached the sug-
gested limits for the stream classification assigned to upper Cherry
Creek.
Ammonia and nitrates showed a trend upward from winter values during
the spring and summer/fall. Winter, spring and summer/fall values for
MS were 0.01, 0.02, and from 0.07 to 0.10 mg/1, respectively, while NOs
levels for the same periods were approximately 0.11, 0.15 and 0.18 mg/1,
respectively. Phosphates showed the same general tendency to increase
during late spring and summer/fall, ranging from 0.01 mg/1 in winter to
0.06 mg/1 in the late spring, then falling off to 0.03 mg/1 by the end
of the fall. Both NH3 and NC<3 were well below the suggested limits for
upper Cherry Creek; however, from June through October (late spring
through the fall), POit exceeded limits suggested for lake aesthetics
(0.025 mg/1). Phosphate levels never approached the levels suggested for
raw water supply (0.1 mg/1). No coliform or colistrep data are available
for the upper portion of Cherry Creek.
In addition to flows released from the reservoir, Cherry Creek water
quantity below the reservoir was augmented by inflows from the City Ditch
and the Highline Canal. From April through October, the City Ditch con-
tributed 3 cfs, whereas during the spring (April through June) and in mid-
summer (August) the Highline Canal contributed an average of approximately
1.5 cfs, with short-duration peaks up to 3 cfs.
The lower portion of Cherry Creek (below the reservoir) showed win-
ter temperatures of 2°C to 18°C, spring values of 16°C to 25°C and sum-
mer/fall values of 26°C down to 15°C. Dissolved oxygen levels during the
same time periods were 8.5 to 12 mg/1, 6.5 to 9.5 mg/1 and 6 to 10 mg/1,
A-37
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respectively. TDS levels, again for the same time periods, averaged ap-
proximately 480, 650 and 725 mg/1, respectively. However, in each month
of the year, there were numerous peak values, ranging from 1,100 to 7,100
mg/1. BODs had a base value of approximately 3 mg/1 but showed numerous
high peaks, corresponding in time with TDS peaks and ranging mostly from
12 to 45 mg/1 with some as high as 80 mg/1. The TDS values on an aver-
age were within suggested limits for urban irrigation, while dissolved
oxgyen was always above the suggested 5 mg/1 level.
Ammonia, nitrates and phosphates, showing the same time correlation
in their peaks with BOD5 and TDS but having fewer peaks, showed slightly
higher base values in winter than in the spring and summer/fall seasons.
Base values for ammonia in the winter were approximately 1.0 mg/1, while
in the spring and summer/fall they dropped to approximately 0.6 mg/1,
with peak values during the same time periods ranging from 2.5 to 3.5
mg/1 and 1.9 to 4.2 mg/1. Nitrates showed the same trend: winter base
values of approximately 3.0 mg/1 dropped to 2.0 mg/1 in the spring and
summer/fall. Peak values ranged from 4 to 5 mg/1 in the winter and from
3 to 5.5 mg/1 in the spring and summer/fall. Winter phosphate levels
averaged about 4 mg/1, with peaks ranging from 4.5 to 7 mg/1, while
spring and summer/fall values averaged 2.5 mg/1, with peaks ranging from
4.5 to 6 mg/1. Phosphate levels were consistently appreciably higher
than the suggested 0.5 mg/1 level, whereas ammonia and nitrate were lower
than their limits of 4 and 10 mg/1, respectively.
Coliform and colistrep exhibited the same peaking times as the pre-
viously mentioned parameters. However, unlike colistrep, coliforms
showed higher base levels in spring and summer/fall than in winter. The
winter base level for coliform was approximately 650/100 ml, with peaks
ranging from 1,000 to 26,000/100„ml, whereas for the spring and summer/
fall the base level was approximately 800/100 ml, with peaks ranging from
1,000 to 23,000/100 ml. Colistrep winter base values were 1,800/100 ml,
with peaks ranging from 8,100 to 204,000/100 ml. The base level for the
spring and summer/fall seasons was approximately 1,000/100 ml. Coliform
levels, on the average base level, would be meeting suggested levels
(1,000/100 ml for secondary contact) consistently only in the winter,

A-38
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whereas colistrep was extremely far above its suggested limit of 20/100
ml.
Sand Creek Basin —
Sand Creek flows are intermittent during the winter and at certain
times of the year are nonexistent, particularly in the upper portion.
Sewage flows from the Aurora and Fitzsimmons treatment plants and Metro
flows from the Burlington ditch contribute to the lower portion's base
flow of approximately 5 to 10 cfs.
Water quality at the mouth shows the influence of these sources.
Winter temperatures ranged from 6°C to 15 °C, spring from 15 °C to 25 °C and
summer/fall from 26°C down to 15 °C. Dissolved oxygen winter values were
constant at 12. mg/1, spring from 11 down to 8.5 mg/1 and summer/fall from
8.5 to 10 mg/1. Both temperature and dissolved oxygen were within their
suggested limits. TDS winter values were approximately 900 mg/1; spring
values, 1,500 mg/1; and summer /fall values, 1,200 mg/1. These values ex-
ceeded, on the average, suggested levels for urban irrigation.
and the nutrient ammonia (NHs) indicate somewhat lower levels
in early summer/fall than during other periods. Winter values for BODs
showed a base level of 9 mg/1, with peaks ranging from 14 to 43 mg/1;
spring base levels of 10 mg/1, with peaks of 12 to 38 mg/1; and summer/
fall base levels of 6 mg/1, with peaks of 14 to 35 mg/1. Likewise, NH3
showed winter base levels of approximately 5 mg/1 ranging up to 7 mg/1;
spring base levels of 5 mg/1, with a range of 1 to 6 mg/1; and summer
base levels of 3 mg/1, ranging up to 6.5 mg/1 in late fall (October).
Nitrate winter levels were 3 mg/1, trending upward in spring and summer/
fall to about 3.5 mg/1. There were noticeable drops in N03 levels in
June and again in August to about 1.5 to 2 mg/1. Otherwise, the seasonal
base levels mentioned earlier were relatively constant. Phosphate showed
a fairly constant base level of 3.5 mg/1 for all seasons but dropped no-
ticeably in June and again in August to around 2 mg/1. Two high peak
values were noted: one in early September, to 8.5 mg/1, and another in
late December, to 4.5 mg/1. It should also be noted that BODs and NHa
showed numerous peaks throughout the year, whereas NOs and POit values
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values were relatively constant, with the exceptions noted. Only NC>3
was consistently below its suggested limit, while PO^ was consistently
much higher than its suggested level. Ammonia was below its suggested
level of 4 mg/1 only during the summer (June-August).
Coliform and colistrep levels varied widely throughout the year but
showed average values of approximately 2,500 and 4,000/100 ml, respec-
tively. Coliforms ranged from 360 to 19,000/100 ml, while colistrep
ranged from 1,000 to 123,000/100 ml.
Clear Creek Basin —
Clear Creek flows at Golden averaged 50 cf s during -the winter, with
high flows from snowmelt runoff occurring in late spring (early spring
flows ranged from 75 cfs in April to 600 cfs in May).
June flows peaked in early June at 1,300 cfs and dropped to 500 cfs
by the end of the month. Flows continued to drop in early summer (July)
to 125 cfs and then stayed at that level through the summer. Fall saw a
drop from mid-September through October to 60 cfs.
Temperature during the winter ranged from 0°C to 10°C; in spring
from 5°C to 13°C; and in summer /fall from 13°C down to 9°C, peaking in
August at 20°C. Dissolved oxygen ranged during the same seasons from 6
to 15 mg/1; 6 to 8 mg/1; and 9 to 12 mg/1, respectively. TDS levels were
constant at 200 mg/1 except for peaks of 500 mg/1 in early June and early
December.
levels were constant at 2 mg/1 except for peaks of 5 mg/1 in
late April and in late October and of 3 mg/1 in May and November. Nutri-
ents (NHs, NOs and POt*) were constant at 0.23, 0.4 and 0.2 mg/1, respec-
tively. Phosphate was the only parameter which did not meet its suggested
limit.
Coliform levels were fairly constant throughout the year at 204/100
ml with the exception of higher levels (400 to 600/100 ml) in the latter
portions of the months of April, May, October and November and lower lev-
els 0-0 to 90/100 ml) in the early portions of the same months. Coli-
strep levels were fairly constant at 300/100 ml except for low levels
A-40
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C30/100 ml) in early May and November. Coliform levels marginally met
the suggested limit (200/100 ml) for primary-contact recreation, while
colistrep was significantly higher than its suggested limit of 20/100 ml.
Below Golden, the major diversions discussed earlier removed an
average of 50 cfs of winter flow, 270 cfs in the spring and 211 cfs in
the summer/fall season. Obviously, since these are the averages of
monthly average diversion flows, the monthly flow variations were size-
able, and the flows were diverted only when there were flows within the
basin to divert.
Flows at the mouth of Clear Creek showed the influence of the diver-
sions mentioned above. Winter flows averaged approximately 40 cfs but
showed a peak flow in early November of 150 cfs. Early spring flows
(April and May), although averaging 50 cfs, showed peaks in late April
and May of about 150 cfs. June flows peaked at 850 cfs aud ranged from
275 cfs at the beginning of the month to 100 cfs at the end of the month.
Summer/fall flows averaged approximately 20 cfs, with peak flows in late
August and early September up to about 175 cfs.
Stream temperature at the mouth rose consistently from a winter
level of 5°C to 15°C, to 20°C in the spring; and to 25°C in summer/fall.
Dissolved oxygen was at a high of 12 mg/1 during the winter, falling in
the spring to 8.5 mg/1 and staying at that level during the summer before
rising again during the fall to 12 mg/1. TDS levels remained relatively
constant at 400 mg/1 except for winter peaks in early February, late
March and late December of 3,000, 4,000 and 2,400 mg/1, respectively.
Both temperature and dissolved oxygen consistently met their suggested
limits, as did TDS, except for the peak values noted.
BOD 5 and nutrients (NHs, NOs and PO^) showed definite and pronounced
trends of higher levels with more peaks in late winter, and lower levels
in late spring and summer/fall with fewer, less pronounced peaks. BODs
winter base levels ranged from 16 to 23 mg/1, with peaks ranging from 31
to 50 mg/1. Spring base levels fell from 12 to 4 mg/1, with only one
peak, of 15 mg/1, whereas summer/fall base levels were from 4 to 8 mg/1,
with early summer peaks of 12 mg/1. Ammonia showed winter base levels
A-41
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from 2.5 to 4 mg/1, with, late winter peaks, ranging from 7 to 11 mg/1.
Spring levels dropped from 4 to 0.5 mg/1, rising slightly to 1 mg/1 for
a summer base level, with, no peak values. Nitrate winter levels were
approximately 2.5 to 4 mg/1 in early spring, falling to 1 mg/1 by the be-
ginning of summer. Early summer values were 1 mg/1 and rose steadily to
2 mg/1 by November (early winter). Phosphate levels fluctuated signifi-
cantly, base levels ranging from 2.5 to 3.3 mg/1 in winter, with peaks
in December and March of 5 and 4.8 mg/1, respectively. Spring levels
fell from 3 to 1 mg/1, while summer/fall levels ranged from 0 to 2 mg/1.
Ammonia and nitrate levels were within suggested limits, while phosphate
was significantly higher than its limit.
Coliform and colistrep levels fluctuated significantly, with base
levels of 800 and 300/100 ml, respectively. Numerous peaks throughout
the year occurred for both parameters, with coliform peaks as high as
25,000/100 ml (March) and colistrep peaks as high as 200,000/100 ml
(March).
South Platte River Basin—
Flows upstream from Chatfield Reservoir showed a winter range of ap-
proximately 25 cfs. Spring and early summer flows showed wide variations
in flow, with numerous peaks. Srping flows ranged from average monthly
flows in April, May and June of 75, 150 and 300 cfs, respectively, with
peak flows in the same months of 250, 300 and 575. Early summer flows
(July and August) showed average monthly flows of 250 and 175 cfs, with
peaks of 400 and 350 cfs. Late summer and fall flows remained fairly con-
stant at 50 cfs.
Below Chatfield Reservoir at Littleton, the flow pattern was the same
but with higher monthly average and peak flows. Winter flows were approxi-
mately 50 cfs, with spring (April, May and June) monthly averages of 100,
175 and 325 cfs, respectively. Peak flows were 180, 325 and 730 cfs.
Early summer (July and August) average flows were 250 and 175 cfs, with
peaks of 400 and 350 cfs, respectively. Late summer and fall flows were
fairly constant at 50 cfs.
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Water quality levels at Blakeland (just above Littleton) showed
high-quality water being released from the. reservoir. Temperature ranged
in the winter from 2°C to 12°C; in the spring from 14°C to 18°C; and in
summer/fall from 18°C up to 20°C and back down to 12°C. Dissolved oxygen
ranged during the same seasons from 9 to 10 mg/1; from 8 down to 6 mg/1;
and from 6 back to 8 mg/1. IDS and BODs levels were constant at 250 and
5 mg/1. All of these parameters were within their suggested limits ex-
cept during the summer, when temperature exceeded its limit of 15°C dur-
ing June through September.
Ammonia, nitrate and phosphate levels were 0.01, 0.03 and 0.05 mg/1,
respectively, all equal to or less than their suggested limits.
Coliform levels were less than 40/100 ml throughout the year, less
than the suggested limit of 200/100 ml. However, colistrep, although
never higher than 45/100 ml, was only below its suggested limit of 20/
100 ml during late April and October.
From Blakeland to 38th Avenue in Denver (Reach 11), diversion flows
averaged 47 cfs during the spring, 51 cfs during summer/fall and 25 cfs
during the winter.
Winter temperature at 38th Avenue ranged from 4°C to 15°C; in spring,
from 15°C to 24°C; and in summer/fall, from 26°C back down to 15°C. Dis-
solved oxygen during the same seasons ranged from 10 to 12 mg/1; 10 to
7.5 mg/1; and 7.5 to 9 mg/1. IDS base levels, again during these seasons,
were 500, 60Q and 700 mg/1, with peak values of 4,500, 5,000 and 4,600
mg/1, respectively. IDS levels showed extreme, pronounced peaks, partic-
ularly in the winter and early spring, with two peaks in the summer/fall,
one in August and the other in October.
levels did not showed pronounced peaks at any time during the
year. Winter levels ranged from 11 to 17 mg/1, whereas spring and sum-
mer/fall levels ranged from 18 down to 7 mg/1 and from T back up to 14
mg/1. Ammonia, nitrate and phosphate levels all showed a tendency to de-
crease in late spring and early summer from previous winter levels. Win-
ter, spring and summer/fall levels for NH3 were 3 mg/1; 3 mg/1 down to
1 mg/1; and 1 mg/1 back up to 3 mg/1, respectively. Likewise, N03 levels
A-43
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were 1.3 to 1.8 mg/1; 1.8 down to 1 mg/1; and 1 back up to 2.5 mg/1.
There were several NOs peaks throughout the year, particularly in the
late spring-early summer months, ranging from 2.5 to 4 mg/1. Phosphate
base levels in winter, spring and summer/fall were 2, 1 and 1.5 mg/1,
respectively, with peaks ranging from 1.5 to 4 mg/1.
Coliform base levels approximated 600/100 ml throughout the year,
with numerous peaks ranging from 5,000 to 21,000/100 ml. Colistrep base
levels increased from winter to spring and summer/fall (20,000 to 35,000/
100 ml). Although less numerous than coliform, peaks for colistrep
ranged from 55,000 to 160,000/100 ml.
Diversion flows below 38th Avenue to Henderson averaged 80 cfs dur-
ing the winter, 260 cfs in the spring and 180 cfs in the summer/fall.
Henderson was the limit of the Hydrocomp model for the South Platte Main
Stem (Reach 11).
Temperatures in the South Platte at Henderson ranged from 5°C to
16°C during the winter; from 18°C to 23°C during the spring; and from
24°C back to 16°C in summer/fall. Dissolved oxygen during the same sea-
sons ranged from 9.5 to 11 mg/1; 9 to 7.5 mg/1; and 7 to 8.5 mg/1. TDS
showed a base level of approximately 700 mg/1 throughout the year, with
several peaks corresponding to those in Reach 11 and ranging from 1,800
to 4,000 mg/1.
BOD5 showed a more pronounced trend to reduced levels during the
spring and early summer than in Reach 11. Winter levels ranged from 25
to 35 mg/1, while spring and summer/fall levels ranged from 20 down to
10 mg/1 and 10 up again to 25 mg/1, respectively. This more pronounced
trend, in comparison with Reach 11, was also true for NHa and fO^ but
not for NC>3. Ammonia winter levels were about 10 mg/1, while spring lev-
els ranged from 12.5 down to 4 mg/1, and summer/fall levels increased
from 6 to 11.5 mg/1. Nitrate levels ranged in the winter from 1.5 to 2.3
mg/1; in the spring from 2.7 down to 1 mg/1; and in summer/fall from 1.7
up to 2.5 mg/1. Phosphate range during the same seasons was from 4.5 to
6 mg/1; from 6 down to 1 mg/1; and from 3 up to 6 mg/1. Neither ammonia
nor phosphate was within or less than its suggested limit.
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Coliform levels had a base level throughout the year of approxi-
mately 1,000/100 ml, with numerous peaks ranging from 1,700 to 16,000/
100 ml. Colistrep had a base level of 2,500/100 ml, with peaks ranging
from 25,000 to 125,000/100 ml. Colistrep was extremely far above its
suggested limit, while coliform, although meeting the 1,000/100 ml sug-
gested limit on a base level, had numerous periods throughout the year
that were far above that limit.
The information on existing water quality for the basins presented
previously is summarized in Table II-E.
Big Dry, Coal and Boulder Creek Basins—
There are no significant existing data for these basins available
for assessment of seasonal variations in water quality, nor are there
sizeable amounts of data for assessment of nonpoint- or point-source
water quality.
Water quality for Boulddr Creek at its mouth (confluence with St.
Vrain Creek) indicated an arithmetic mean of samples taken 7 to 12 Sep-
tember 1971 for BOD5 of 2.8 mg/1, total dissolved solids of 955 mg/1,
fecal coliform of 1,080 MPN/100 ml and fecal streptococcus of 14,500 MPN/
100 ml (Reference 209). It has also been noted that below the Boulder/
White Rocks treatment plant chlorine and ammonia residuals preclude the
migration farther upstream of sensitive fish species; fecal coliform and
fecal streptococcus counts increase from upstream levels; and dissolved
oxygen falls to a range of 6 to 8 mg/1 from upstream levels of 9 to 13
mg/1 (Reference 259). The headwaters of Boulder Creek were noted to have
high levels of dissolved oxygen and temperatures from November through
March of 5°C (Reference 259). It has also been noted that phosphate lev-
els are apparently higher than suggested levels for stream aesthetics
(0.05 mg/1) (Reference 228).
Coal Creek, in the upper portion of its basin, has low temperatures
and dissolved oxygen levels sufficient to support a put-and-take trout
fishery (Reference 259). The lower portion's water quality is degraded,
because of discharges from the Erie, Lafayette and Louisville municipal
treatment plants and the extraction of coal, and shows levels of fecal
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coliform and fecal streptococcus greater than 200 MPN/100 ml (Reference
228).
Water quality in the upper portion of Big Dry Creek basin is pres-
ently unaffected by point sources of pollution and has been suitable for
use as a cold water fishery (Reference 259). It appears that levels of
phosphate and total nitrogen are lower than suggested levels for stream
aesthetics (Reference 228). In thx lower portion, water quality is im-
pacted by low releases from Standley Reservoir and point-source inflows
from the Westminster and Broomfield municipal wastewater treatment plants.
Coliform levels periodically exceed suggested levels for urban irrigation
and secondary-contact recreation.
Water Quality Problems
This section will discuss the general and specific basin water qual-
ity problems for basins in the study area and will present an assessment
of the relative significance of point versus nonpoint sources and their
contribution to water quality problems.
Basin Water Quality Trends—
At the upstream portions of the South Platte (Blakeland), Bear
(Morrison) and Clear (Golden) basins, suggested levels for fecal coli-
form are met only in the summer/fall and winter seasons. Otherwise, both
fecal coliform and fecal streptococcus limits are exceeded throughout the
basins for primary and secondary recreation and for urban irrigation.
In the Sand and Clear Creek basins, as well as in the South Platte
River Basin from Littleton to Henderson, ammonia concentrations (in con-
junction with pH and temperature) are on the average at potentially toxic
levels throughout the year, particularly in the South Platte. Ammonia
appears at toxic levels in the Cherry Creek basin only during the spring.
Phosphate levels are exceeded in all basins throughout the year, particu-
larly below the headwaters.
With the exception of ammonia and phosphate, overall water quality
is better during the winter, declining in quality through the spring to
the summer/fall season. Ammonia and phosphate levels appear to be at
A-46
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their worst during the spring season.
With the exception of Sand Creek, levels for total dissolved solids
are at or below suggested specific water uses. Although there does not
appear to be any noticeable seasonal trend, there is a definite and pro-
nounced tendency for TDS levels to increase significantly from upstream
to downstream within each basin.
Temperature and dissolved oxygen appear to be adequate for their re-
spective suggested levels for all basins throughout the year. Tempera-
ture effects upon dissolved oxygen appear more pronounced in the basins
tributary to the South Platte than in the South Platte itself. BOD 5
shows definite tendencies to increase from upstream to downstream in all
basins, with levels generally higher in the winter than in other seasons,
particularly in the South Platte.
Point- and Nonpoint-Source Contributions—
Major point sources were identified by basin in Table II-D, pre-
sented earlier. On the whole, the municipal treatment plants do not ap-
pear to have a significant impact upon dissolved oxygen, total dissolved
solids, fecal coliforms or fecal streptococci. However, the Englewood,
Littleton, South Lakewood and Metro sewage treatment plants discharge to
the South Platte River and are contributing BOD5, ammonia and phosphate
loads which are likely to be substantial in terms of their impact upon
water quality. BOD5 values range from 20 to 90 mg/1, averaging approxi-
mately 35 mg/1; ammonia levels are approximately 15 mg/1; and phosphates
range from 8 to*10 mg/1.
The Glendale plant on Cherry Creek contributes significantly to the
base flow of the creek. However, effluent ammonia and BOD5 levels are
relatively low C5 and 12 mg/1, respectively), but TDS, POit and fecal coli-
forms in the effluent are apparently contributing to water quality prob-
lems at the mouth (the effluent levels are 1,070 mg/1, 18 mg/1 and 1,340
MPN/100 ml, respectively).
Levels of TDS (approximately 900 mg/1), ammonia (10 mg/1) and phos-
phate (8 mg/1) from the Aurora sewage treatment effluent disposed to Sand
A-47
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Creek is contributing to that creek*s water quality problems. In addi-r
tion, effluent dissolved oxygen levels of approximately 4.6 mg/1 are
impairing stream water quality.
Ammonia and phosphate levels for the municipal effluents going to
Clear Creek, with the exception of Coors, are approximately 12 and 8
mg/1, respectively. The Coors wastewater effluent is high in BODs, par-
ticularly during the late spring and summer seasons, ranging from 95 to
135 mg/1.
To Indicate the general, estimated contribution of point- versus
nonpoint-source loads to the South Platte and the major tributaries
within the study area, Table II-F was developed, utilizing information
from the input files of the Hydrocomp model for the year 1972 and also
Reference 260. For the study area as a whole, existing conditions indi-
cate that point sources are significant in terms of BOD5, ammonia and
phosphate. However, the significant impacts are noticeable principally
for Clear Creek, where the Coors wastewater treatment plant is by far
the largest loading source; the South Metro portion of the South Platte
Basin, where Englewood is the most significant point source; and the
lower South Platte, where the Metro plant is by far the most significant
point source. It might be noted that if these three plants were .to aver-
age 30 mg/1 BODs in their effluents, rather than their existing levels,
BODs point-source loading in Clear Creek would be reduced to 2,210 pounds
per day; South Metro point-source loads, to 3,400 pounds per day; and the
lower South. Platte, to 27,100 pounds per day. Thus it appears that at-
taining secondary treatment for these major contributors of BODs loads
would have a significant positive influence only in the Clear Creek ba-
sin. Also, it is likely that reductions in point-source loadings for
ammonia and phosphates would occur only with treatment levels signifi-
cantly higher than those presently practiced. Point-source loadings for
total dissolved solids are only approximately 25 percent of the total
loads within the study area, and are significant only in the lower South
Platte. It is therefore unlikely that the improvement in TDS removals
for point sources will have any noticeable impact within the study area.
Table II-F also indicates that nonpoint sources of fecal coliform and
A-48
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BIOLOGY
The Metropolitan Denver region is part of the high plains area that
extends from the Great Plains to the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.
The elevation of the study area ranges from 1,394 m [4,600 ft] to 2,424 m
[8,000 ft], placing it within the Upper Sonoran life zone 1,061 m [3,500 ft]
to 1,667 m [5,500 ft] and the transition life zone 1,667 m [5,500 ft] to
2,424 m [8,000 ft] (Reference 24). The growth and distribution of vege-
tation is largely dependent upon climate, relief, substrata, fire and the
occurence of human activities such as grazing and agriculture. With an
average annual precipitation rate of only 30 to 40 cm [12 to 16 in], water
availability is the chief limiting factor leading to the low growth of
grasses and forbs on the plains.
Biotic Communities
Prior to settlement, the plains supported a mixed prairie which was
made up primarily of perennial bunchgrasses. Short grasses such as blue
grama and buffalo grass dominated on drier sites. Taller grasses (western
wheatgrass and little bluestem) occurred on sites with higher moisture,
such as along eastern stream courses and toward the mountains to the west.
Prior to settlement, a very complex mosaic of steppe communities existed
in the Denver area in response to the numerous soils (Reference 9). Under
natural conditions, the three major plant communities probably were (1) up-
land prairie or short-grass plains, (2) meadow and (3) cottonwood-willow.
The plains did not support tree growth except along the watercourses, which
were fringed with cottonwoods and willows. Dense thickets- of wild plum and
chokecherry, with scattered clumps of hackberry and box elder, occurred some-
times in gulches and arroyos (Reference 718).
Large grazing animals such as bison, antelope elk and deer roamed
throughout the plains region, while prairie dogs formed extensive colonies
in the upland prairie.
Human activities, mainly in the form of cultivation, livestock
grazing, and urbanization have altered the natural vegetation and habitats
considerably. Sixty-five percent of Adams County is currently under
cultivation, and 35 percent of Arapahoe County is similarly utilized.
A-49
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The remaining uncultivated lands are generally used for pasture and
range or for urban and residential purposes (References 701, 702). The
Denver Metropolitan area represents a radically altered environment.
The extensive introduction of non-native trees, shrubs, herbs and grasses
has created an urban ecosystem in Denver that did not exist before settle-
ment. Wildlife species tolerant to human presence predominate in these
areas. Several introduced bird and rodent species have proliferated to
the extent that they have displaced the native wildlife species. Urbani-
zation, to a great extent, has removed many wildlife habitat areas.
The present biotic communities can be classified according to the
following general units: (1) Cultivated Lands, (2) Uplands Vegetation,
(3) Riparian and Aquatic, (4) Forest and Brushland and (5) Residential/
Urban. A comparison of these major biotic communities, with their charac-
teristic plant and animal associations, is shown in Appendix Table A-4.
A-50
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APPENDIX TABLE A-4 SUMMARY OF BIOTIC COMMUNITY CHABACTERISTICS, METROPOLITAN DENVER AREA
Unit
Location and examples Characteristic vegetation Characteristic birds
Characteristic animals
Cultivated
Lands
Ul
Uplands
Vegetation
Flat or rolling farm-
lands; east and
north of Denver.
Major portions of
Weld and Adams
counties.
Rural dwellings;
farm buildings.
Steep dirt banks;
along ditches and
seasonal streams.
Alfalfa, corn, sugar.beet,
vegetables, wheat, oats,
barley, rye, forage sor-
ghum.
Sunflower, prickly let-
tuce, Russian thistle,
tansy mustard, dande-
lion, garden escapes.
Brewer's blackbird,
western vesper
sparrow, ring-
necked pheasant,
western meadow-
lark, lark bunt-
ing.

Barn swallow, Say's
phoebe, houseflnch.
Bank swallow, king-
fisher.
Meadow vole, pocket gopher,
ground squirrel, harvest
mouse, western jumping
mouse, weasel, bullsnake,
garter snake.
House mouse, raccoon, feral
cat, spadefoot toad,
garter anake.
Fence lizard.
Arid plains region;
typically found in
eastern Adams and
Arapahoe counties.
Bluffs aad cliffs.
Blue grama grass, buffalo
grass, western wheat-
grass, little bluestem,
Junegrass, needle-and-
thread, red three-awn,
locoweed, sunflower,
aster, fanweed, prickly
pear, plantain, yucca.
Burrowing, owl, desert
horned lark, moun-
tain plover, turkey
vulture, red-tailed
hawk.
Cliff swallow, prairie
falcon, ferruginous
roughleg hawk.
Jackrabbit, prairie vole,
pocket mouse, Ord kanga-
roo rat, coyote, prong-
horn antelope, prairie
rattlesnake, bullsnake,
central plains milksnake,
sagebrush lizard, horned
lizard.
-------
APPENDIX TABLE A-4 SUMMARY OF BIOTIC COMMUNITY CHARACTERISTICS, METROPOLITAN DENVER AREA (continued)
Unit
Location and examples Characteristic vegetation Characteristic birds
Characteristic animals
Riparian and
Aquatic
Ln
NJ
Cottonwoode; along
rivers and streams
auch aa South
Platte River and
Cherry Creek.
Shrubbery; along
streams and creeks
and intermittently
between stretches
of cottonwood.

Lakes and ponds;
storage reservoirs
such as Barr Lake
and ponds through-
out farming region
and urban areas.

Marsh areas and
swamps; along the
floodplain of
South Platte
River.
Plains cottonwood, box
elder, willow, narrow
leaf cottonwood.
Chokecherry, wild plum,
buffaloberry, hawthorn,
rabbithrush, willow.
Willow, rushes, cattail,
sedge, salt grass and
aquatic plants.
Salt grass, bulrush and
other rushes, sedge.
Red-headed woodpeck-
er, Rocky Mountain
screech owl, Swain-
son's hawk, crow,
Bullock's oriole,
kingbird, western
mockingbird, white-
rumped shrike.

Black-headed gros-
beak, cat bird,
brown thrasher,
yellow warbler,
song sparrow.

Grebe, gull, tern,
goose, green heron,
mallard, pintail,
shoveler and other
ducks, shoreblrds.
Rail, coot, heron,
bittern, duck, red-
winged blackbird,
yellowthroat.
Raccoon, fox squirrel,
shrew, weasel, bat,
barred tiger sala-
mander, yellowbellied
racer, gerter snake.
Striped skunk, raccoon,
eastern woodrat,
deer mouse, yellow-
bellied racer, garter
snake.

Snapping turtle, box
turtle, boreal chorus
frog, carp, brown
trout, chub, minnow,
shiner, catfish.
Mufikrat, coyote, bullfrog,
leopard frog, boreal ,
chorus frog, garter
snake, northern water-
snake.
Forest and
Brush-
lands
Lower tablelands;
gently rising
plains are*
west of Denver.
Eastern portions
of Jefferson
and Boulder
counties.
Scrub oak, choke
cherry, mule's ears,
wild plum, jtineberry.
Virginia's warbler,
woodhouse.'s jay,
spurred towhee,
poorwill, rock
wren.
Mule deer, jackrabbit,
gray fox, mountain
cottontail, Richard-
son's ground squirrel.
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APPENDIX TABLE A-4 SUMMARY OF BIOTIC COMMUNITY CHARACTERISTICS, METROPOLITAN DENVER AREA (continued)
Unit
^Location and examples Characteristic vegetation Characteristic birds
Characteristic animals
tn
UJ
Urban/Re-
sident-
ial
Higher tablelands and
foothills; mesa
areas, hogbacks
and lower slopes of
Front Range. Foot-
hills south of
Denver.
Canyons and Cliffs;
Clear Creek Canyon,
Bear Creek Canyon,
Boulder Creek Canyon
and other small
canyons and facing
cliffs along Front
Range.
Ponderosa pine, Douglas
fir, Rocky Mountain
juniper, bear-berry,
wax currant, thimble-
berry.
Narrow-leafed cotton-
wood, Colorado blue
spruce, mountain ash,
common Juniper, smooth
sumac, wild plum.
Long-crested Jay, Lewis
woodpecker, Natalie's
sapsucker, green-
tailed towhee, plum-
beous vireo, pigmy
nuthatch, mountain
chickadee, chestnut-
backed bluebird.

Golden eagle, canyon
wren, cliff swallow,
white-throated swift.
Fine squirrel, yellow-
bellied marmot, American
elk., mule deer, bobcat,
badger.
Deer mice, woodrats, Colo-
rado chipmunk, raccoon,
striped skunk.
Greater Denver Metro-
politan area; in-
cludes residential
environs, City
parks and other
recreational faci-
lities.
Ornamental shrubs, flow-
ers, lawn-type grasses,
soft maple, elm, weep-
ing willow, Carolina and
Lombardy poplar, ash
sycamore, Norway pine,
Russian olive, and
several varieties of
fruit trees.
Robin, starling,
mockingbird, house
sparrow, black-
capped chickadee,
chipping sparrow,/
rock dove, red-eyed
vireo, bronzed
grackle.
House mouse, Norway rat
pocket gopher, feral
cat.
Source: Reference* 28, 29, 30, 31, 32 and 33.
-------
Significant biological features of the Denver area are shown on

Map F. A comparison of sensitive environmental habitats, as indicated

on the map and their associated wildlife communities is given in Appendix

Table A-5.

Appendix Table A-5. SIGNIFICANT ENVIRONMENTAL HABITATS AND ASSOCIATIONS
Habitat Areas
Wildlife Associations
Water-Associated Features

Riparian corridors—unchannelized
marshes, stream meanders ponds,
lakes and reservoirs

Riparian corridors—channelized
and gravel pit pond areas

Cottonwood-willow groves
Terrestrial Features

Prairie grassland (i.e. Rocky
Mountain Arsenal, Johns-Man-
ville Ken Caryl Ranch)
Forest and brushland
Waterfowl and shorebirds, warm-
water fisheries, cold-water fish-
eries (deep reservoirs), heron
rookeries.

Supplementary or marginal water-
fowl areas, warm-water fisheries.

Heron rookery, resident and
migrant bird refuge, grazing
animal resting area.
Prairie-dog towns associated
with rare blackfooted ferret,
antelope rangeland

Winter-feeding areas for mule
deer, elk and bighorn sheep,
peregrine falcon feeding range.
A-54
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Rare and Endangered Species
The Federal Register for rare or endangered plant species was re-
viewed for the State of Colorado (Reference 614) . No plant species were
considered to be threatened in the Denver Region.
The Nongame and Endangered Species Conservation Act (Reference 968)
for the state of Colorado is consistent with Title 50, Part 17 of the U.S.
Conservation of Endangered Species Act. The Colorado Division of Wildlife
further protects several wildlife species not covered by the Federal Conser-
vation Act. The Wildlife Division has recognized the stress on wildlife
caused by a growing population and changing land use, and endeavors to pro-
tect wildlife habitat as well as endangered wildlife species. Animals pro-
tected by State and Federal regulations (Reference 614) that may occur withr
in the study area include the black-footed ferret, peregrine falcon, white
pelican and river otter.
The historic range of the black-footed ferret coincides closely with
that of its prey species the prairie dog. Thus the changing prairie habi-
tat and, indirectly, prairie dog control programs have strongly affected
the black-footed ferret. Peregrine falcons occasionally have been observed
in the mountainous forest and brushland areas. The Denver plains area may
have some value as a feeding range for this species. Within Colorado, the
white pelican is considered endangered as a nesting summer resident. While
pelicans may be found at several reservoirs along the South Platte River
drainage; however, they nest only at Riverside Reservoir, outside the study
area. River otters are generally rare in Colorado and are intolerant of
human presence. Scattered sightings have been reported along the South
Platte River drainage in Weld County (Reference 969).
A-55
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ENERGY
This discussion of current conditions for sources and uses of energy
in the study area is based essentially on the report "Future Energy Alter-
natives for Colorado" (Reference 970). The use of a statewide report for
this regional analysis is possible for two reasons: The 1975 population
of the study area is 57 percent of the state population; and significant
departures in trends, either statewide or in the study area, are not
expected. Sources and uses of energy for and by the industrial sector of
the study area may be somewhat understated in the report because that
proportion of the state's industry which is located in the study area is
probably higher than represented by the population comparison.
The 1972 pattern of consumption of energy sources is shown in
Appendix Table A- 6 . This table shows, for example, that petroleum
products supplied about 42 percent of the energy used in the Denver Metro
area and that over 70 percent of that energy source was consumed by the
transportation sector. Although coal supplied only 17 percent of the total
energy, most coal (62 percent) was used by utilities to generate electricity.
If fuels used to generate electricity are allocated to the ultimate use
sector, Appendix Table A-7 results. About 5 percent of the electric
power is hydroelectric and about 3 percent is imported.
Appendix Table A-6 ENERGY CONSUMPTION PATTERN
(% of State Total)

Use sector
Industry
Residential
Commerce
Utilities
Transportation
Total
Natural
gas
12
12
8
9
00
41
Petroleum
products
5
0.5
5
0.5
31
42
Coal
2
4.5
0
10.5
0
17
Total
19
17
13
20
31
100
a .
Commerce includes agriculture, government, turism, construction.
b 15
Total state use in 1972 was 7(10) BTU's; total Denver Metro use
was about 4(10) & BTU's.
A-56
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Appendix Table A-7 ENERGY CONSUMPTION PATTERN WITH REALLOCATION OF
SOURCES USED FOR ELECTRICITY GENERATION3
Use Sector
Industry
Residential
Commerce
Transportation
Total
Natural
Gas
3%
16.5
11.5
0
41%
Petroleum
Products
4.5%
1.5
5
31
42%
Coal
5.5%
8
3.5
0
17%
Total
23%
26
20
31
100%
footnotes of Appendix Table A-6 apply.

The data in Appendix Table A-8 indicate that if the transportation
sector is excluded, natural gas supplies 60 percent of the energy needs
of the Denver Metro area. As natural gas supplies are decreasing, parti-
ulariy gas imported from Canada, the Denver Metro area is expected to face
shortfalls in supply by the 1978-1979 heating season. Small amounts of
petroleum products are used to generate electricity, thus shortages of this
fuel source would primarily impact the transportation sector, which uses
nearly 75 percent of this energy source. Nuclear power is limited to the
330 megawatts scheduled to come on line from the Fort St. Vrain plant in
1977. This represents about 7 percent of the total electric power gener-
ated in Colorado in 1975. Coal rather than nuclear power seems to be the
favored option as a source of electric power generation to supplant fore-
casted shortages of natural gas. This option, however, may overtax current
and projected supplies of water in Colorado.
The Denver Metro area is highly dependant on supplies of natural gas
and petroleum products. The industrial, residential, and commercial
sectors of the economy have 60 percent of their energy needs supplied by
natural gas. Nearly 75 percent of the petroleum products consumed went to
the transportation sector. Projected shortfalls in supplies of natural gas
pose a constraint on growth after 1980. In the longer term, increased reli-
ance on coal-based electrical generation will force increased competition
for available supplies of water, a limited resource in the Denver Metro area.
A-57
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OUTDOOR RECREATION SITES
Colorado is divided into several comprehensive planning regions
administered by the State. Within these regions are a number of officially
designated recreation areas including reservoirs, rivers and streams,
natural lakes, cold springs, forests and parks (Reference 11). Map G shows
the locations of these recreation areas.
Several types of recreation areas are found near existing and pro-
posed facility sites. The South Platte Greenway program administered by
the Platte River Development Committee is located downstream and approxi-
mately one mile east of the Denver Metropolitan Wastewater Treatment Plant.
The program calls for this 736 acre, 10 mile segment of the river to be
improved for recreation uses by 1978. Uses proposed for this segment in-
clude boating, bicycling and picnicing. In addition, a trail system along
the area's major streams has been proposed to link with the South Platte
Greenway. Barr Lake and Barr Lake Duck Club are also located downstream
within a few miles of the Denver Metro Plant.
Park and open space acquisition is an ongoing process in the Denver
area. Some counties such as Adams have acquired lands to be used to meet
future recreation facility demands projected for the next 15 years or more
(Reference 16). As the population grows, these lands will be developed.
Numerous parks and open space have been proposed or planned by agencies in
the Denver area. They include: a park along Slaughterhouse Gulch, Littte-
ton; the 2,000'acre Grant Ranch, Denver; a 23 acre joint venture between
Lakewood and Wheat Ridge along Lakewood's northern city limit; a park in
Arvado around a 34 acre lake now being used as a resting place for migra-
tory fowl; and 180 acres of park land recently donated to Aurora by the
Buckley Air National Guard Base.
A major problem being experienced by the areas park agencies is
vandalism and misuse of park and open space areas (Reference 971) . This
problem may become more difficult to deal with in the future as service
areas become larger and uses become more intense.
A-58
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Appendix Table A-8 MAJOR HISTORICAL SITES WITHIN THE DENVER AREA
Site name, map symbols and description
Site name, map symbola and description
CHAUTAUQUA PARK (]) Historic

Camp meetings that included religion, entertainment, and education
were initiated in Chautauqua, N.Y., in 1874. When a Texas group
came to Colorado to find a site in 1898, Boulder citizens provided
an 80-acre meeting ground, a dining hall, an auditorium, and water
facilities financed by city bonds, all of which they rented to the
Chautauqua association

RIVERSIDE CEMETERY (10) Historic

Denver's oldest cemetery contains the graves of many of Colorado's
early pioneers, including Augusta Tabor and Territorial Governor
John Evans.

RALSTON DIGGINGS (11) Historic
Gold was discovered near here in about 1849 by a group of Cherokee
Indians headed for the California gold fields. Other prospecting
parties followed; their discoveries spurred the Pikes Peak Gold
Rush of 1859 and opened the frontier of Kansas Territory.

PIONEER SOD HOUSE (12) Historic

4610 Robb Street, Wheatridge
Built by pioneer settlers around 1880, this three-room sod house,
with its30-inch (76-cm) thick walls, is the only remaining struc-
ture of its type known to exist in the Denver area.

ARAPAHOE CITY SITE (13) Historic

South side of West 44th Avenue
Arapahoe City was a pioneer mining camp, the earliest town in
Jefferson County, organized Nov. 29, 1858. From here George A.
Jackson and John H. Gregory set out to make their historic gold
discoveries at Central City.

COLORADO RAILROAD MUSEUM (14) Historic
17155 West 44th Avenue
This museum contains many types of railroad engines and cars
and an extensive collection of literature on the railroads of
Colorado and the West.
BURGESS HOUSE (16) Historic

1015 Ford Street, Golden
This brick structure was built in 1865 by a man named Burgess
as a hotel catering to stagecoach, passenger!; and later Co train
passengers.

STEWART GROCERY (17) Historic

NW corner Water Street and Washington AvenuQ, Golden
Now (1974) the Landmark Laundromat, this building was once a
grocery store, built in 1892 by E. E, Stewart.

TERRITORIAL CAPITOL (LOVELAND BUILDING) (18) Historic

NW corner 12th Street and Washington Avenue, Golden
Built in 1861, this building housed the legislature when Col-
orado was still a territory. From 1862 to 1867 Golden was the
territorial capital of Colorado. Golden was named for Thomas
L. Golden who camped on the site in 1856.

ASTOR HOUSE (19) Historic

NE corner 12th and Arapahoe Streets; Golden
Built in 1867 by Seth "The Deacon" Lake, the Astor House boast-
of being the most elegant hotel in Colorado, catering to traf-
fic to and from the gold fields.

GEORGE WEST HOUSE (20) Historic

1018 12th Street, Golden
George West built this house in 1871. West was with the ori-
ginal party of the Boston Town Company that was active in
founding the city of Golden in 1359.

GOLDEN ARMORY (21) Historic

SE corner 13th and Arapahoe Streets, Golden
Reportedly the largest cobblestone building in the United
States, it was constructed in 1913 using 3,000 wagonloads of
cobbles.
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Appendix Table A-8 . (Continued) MAJOR HISTORICAL SITES WITHIN THE DENVER AREA
Site name, map symbol*' and description
Site name, map symbol8 and description
CALVARY EPISCOPAL CHURCH (22) Historic
SW corner 13th and Arapahoe Streets, Golden
Built in 1867, this church is the oldest Episcopal church in
continuous use in Colorado.

COLORADO SCHOOL OF MIKES (23) Historic
This respected school of mineral engineering was initially con-
ceived by Episcopal Bishop George M. Randall, in 1866, as part
of Jarvis Hall, an Episcopal school.

CLEAR CREEK CANYON (24) Historic, Natural
The Colorado Central Railroad, built in the 1870's, followed
the canyon and its north and south forks to the mines of
Central City and Georgetown.

BUFFALO BILL'S GRAVE AND MUSEUM (25) Historic, Scenic
William F. Cody (1846-1917), dispatch rider, buffalo hunter,
scout, and western showman, was buried here after his death
in Denver.

MOTHER CABRINI SHRINE AND ORPHANAGE (27) Historic, Scenic

The Mother Cabrini shrine and the summer home for orphans, on
a high ridge in the foothills of the Rockies, have a com-
manding view of Denver and the Great Plains.

MOUNT VERNON (STEELE) HOUSE (30) Historic
This house was named for Robert W. Steele, a resident of
Mount Verr.on, who was elected governor of the Territory of
Jefferson, a provisional government, in October 1859. He
led efforts to establish a regional government and was final-
ly rewarded when Congress established the Territory of Col-
orado on February 28, 1861.

ROONEY RANCH (31) Historic
Rooney Road and Alameda Parkway
The two-story ranchhouse, begun in 1860 by Alexander Rooney,
may be the oldest building still In use as a residence in
Jefferson County. The Rooneys once bred Morgan horses for the
British Army and U.S. Cavalry.

TRAMWAY POWERPLANT (FORNEY MUSEUM) (32) Historic
1416 Platte Street, Denver
Electric power was needed to drive the trolley cars of turn-
of-the-century Denver. In 1901 the Denver Tramway Company
built the powerplant at this site because it was close to the
railroad, which delivered coal, and to the South Platte River,
which supplied cooling water. The building Is now the home'
of the Forney Transportation Museum.

UNION STATION (33) Historic
17th Street and Wynkoop Street, Denver
In 1879 a company was formed to build Union Station as a
terminal to serve all the railroads coming into Denver.

TRAMWAY CABLE BUILDING (34) Historic

1801 Lawrence Street, Denver
In 1889 the Denver City Cable Railway Company built this two-
story brick powerhouse to shelter its huge operating machi-
nery. At the time, the building was the largest cable-car
powerplant in the world.

CONSTITUTION HALL (35) Historic
1507 Blake Street, Denver
Constitution Hall was built in 1865 to house the First
National Bank of Denver, Colorado's oldest continuously
operating banking house. A delegation met there from Decem-
ber 20, 1875, to March 15, 1876, to draw up the constitution
for the State of Colorado.

DANIELS AND FISHER TOWER (36) Historic, Scenic

1101 16th Street, Denver
The dry-goods firm of Daniels and Fisher was formed in 1872
by two eastern merchants. In 1911 a son of one of the found-
ing partners, built a five-story building and a 21-story tower
addition to the original store. The tower was patterned by
-------
Appendix Table A-8 . (Continued) MAJOR HISTORICAL SITES WITHIN THE DENVER AREA
Site name, map symbol* and description
Sice name, map symbol" and description
architect Frederick J. Sterner after the Campanile of St. Marks
Square in Venice, and at that time it was the third-tallest
building in the United States.

LARIMER SQUARE (37) Historic
Between 14th and 15th Streets on Larimer Street, Denver
Here pre-1900 buildings of early Denver have been renovated and
converted to shops and restaurants.

TIVOLI BREWERY (38) Historic
950 W. Larimer Street, Denver
John Good, a Bavarian brewer, founded Tivoli Brewery in 1859.
It was named after the Tivoli Gardens of Copenhagen and contains
the Turnhalle Opera House, built in 1882.

EMMANUEL-SHEARITH ISRAEL CHAPEL (39) Historic

1201 10th Screet, Denver
This attractive little structure is Denver's oldest church, built
in 1876 froa volcanic rock (welded tuff) quarried near Castle
Rock.

ST. ELIZABETH'S CHURCH (40) Historic

L062 llth Street, Denver
St. Elizabeth's Church was begun in 1896 and was consecrated in
1902. It is designed in the German Gothic style and was built of
volcanic rock.

TRIKITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH (41) Historic
East 18th Avenue and Broadway Street, Denver
This scately landmark was built during the years 1887-88 under
the direction of the Rev. Henry A. Buchtel, later Chancellor of
the University of Denver.

BROWN PALACE HOTEL (42) Historic
17th Street and Tremont Place, Denver
The hotel opened on August 11, 1892. Through the years the Brown
Palace has been a popular stopover for mineral barons, politi-
cians, and entertainers. It is listed in the National Register
of Historic Places, which is maintained by the National Park
Service.

CATHEDRAL OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION (43)
301 East Coifax Avenue, Denver
Designed by Leon Coquard, this structure Is a magnificent ex-
ample of French Gothic architecture. Its 36 stained glass
windows, made in Munich, Germany, contain more than 20,000
pieces.

DENVER MINT (44) Historic
West Colfax Avenue and Delaware Street, Denver
The Denver mint was built in the Tuscan Palazzo style of
architecture during the years 1904-06. The present mint
has produced coins of all denominations as well as presi-
dential medals.

BYERS-EVANS HOUSE (45) Historic

1310 Bannock Street, Denver
This Victorian structure was built in 1880 by William N. Byers,
publisher of the Rocky Mountain News. Byers sold it to Wil-
liam Gray Evans, sone of ex-territorial-governor John Evans,
in 1890. The Evans family was active in railroad building,
education, and politics, and was a prominent pioneering force
in early Colorado.

MOLLY BROWN HOUSE (HOUSE OF LIONS) (46) Historic

1340 Pennsylvania Street, Denver
This stone house built sometime between 1887 and 1894, was
purchased in 1894 by James J. Brown, Lcadville mining napnate,
and his aggressive young wife, the "Unsinkable Molly Brown."
At this residence Mrs. Brown, seeking acceptance in Denver's
highest social circles, entertained world-famous theatre and
art celebrities.

BUCKHORN EXCHANGE RESTAURANT (47) Historic
1000 Osage Street, Denver
This old Denver restaurant and saloon was opened on November
-------
Appendix Table A-8. (Continued) MAJOR HISTORICAL SITES WITHIN THE DENVER AREA
Sice name, map symbol3 and description
Site name, map symbol3 and description
24, 1892, by Kenry Zietz. Sr. In Che early days the Buckhorn was
a roadhouse on the trail south out of Denver. Buffalo Bill often
stopped to drink and joke with the owner. Theodore Roosevelt also
visited the bar. The bar still holds Colorado State Liquor
License Kuaiber one.

HAL SAYRE'S ALHAXBRA (48) Historic

801 Logan Street, Denver
Kal Sayre was one of the first trained engineers to work in
Colorado's mining fields. While other men prospected for gold,
Sayre became rich by surveying. As the. only surveyor In the min-
ing area, he laid out many mining claims in exchange for a nomi-
nal interest in their profits. He was the first to survey Denver
City.

GOVERNOR'S MANSION (49) Historic
400 East 8th Avenue, Denver
This colonial-style brick mansion was conceived by Walter S.
Cheesman, pioneer Denver druggist, railroad builder, and founder
of tha city's waterworks. Since 1960 the 27-room mansion has
been the official residence of the Governor of Colorado.

GRANT-HUMPHREYS HOUSE (50) Historic

770 Pennsylvania Street, Denver
Two of Colorado's prominent mining families have occupied this
30-room mansion, which was built in 1902 by James B. Grant,
second Governor of Colorado. After Grant's death in 1911, the
house was bought by Albert E. Humphreys who invested in the
nines at Crccde and Cripple Creek, and spurred oil develop-
ment in the Rocky Mountain West.

CODY HOUSE (51) Historic

2932 Lafayette Street, Denver
This house, was owned by Buffalo Bill Cody's sister, Mrs. Mary
Decker. Cody died here on January 10, 1917.

PEARCE-MC ALLISTER COTTAGE (52) Historic

This Pennsylvanla-colonlal-style house was designed by
Frederick Sterner and built in 1899 for Harold V. Pearce,
manager of the Argo Smelter.

RICHTHOFEN CASTLE (53) Historic
7020 East 12th Avenue, Denver
In the 1880's Baron Walter von Richthofen, Prussian nobleman
and soldier, and uncle of Baron Manfred von Richthofen, the
famed "Red Baron" of World War I, built the "castle" on the
prairie east of Denver from volcanic rock quarried near
Castle Rock.

FOUR-MILE HOUSE (54) Historic
715 South Forest Street, Denver
The Four-Mile House, b'uilt in 1858, was the last stage sta-
tion on the Smoky Hill Trail outside Denver.

EUGENE FIELD HOUSE (55) Historic

South Franklin Street and Exposition Drive, Washington Park,
Denver
Eugene Field was managing editor of the Denver Tribune froa
1881 to 1883. Field is probably best known for the poem
"Little Boy Blue." He also wrote "The Dutch Lullaby".

EVANS CHAPEL (GRACE METHODIST CHURCH) (56) Historic
University Park campus of the University of Denver
Evans Chapel, the oldest Protestant church building still in
use in Denver, was completed in 1878. It was begun in 1873
by John Evans, Colorado's second territorial governor. It
orginally stood across from the Kyers-Evans house near West
13th Avenue and Bannock Street. To save the chapel from
demolition In 1958, the grandson of Governor Evans, John
Evans, raised funds to move it stone-by-stone to the Univer-
sity Park campus where it now stands.

ILIFF MANSION' (57) Historic
2160 South Cook Street, Denver
Built as the "Fitzroy Place" in 1892 by the widow of cattle
king John Wesley Iliff, the house has become known as the
Iliff Mansion.
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Appendix Table A-8. (Continued) MAJOR HISTORICAL SITES WITHIN THE DENVER AREA
Site name, map symbol and description
Site name, map symbol3 and description
RUSSELL PLACER CAMP (58) Historic
Confluence of Little Dry Creek and South Platte River
William Green. Russell, a miner from Georgia, learned from Chero-
kee Indians about gold in the Pikes Peak region. In 1858 he
organized a prospecting party of 60 white men and Cherokee In-
dians, and on June 24, 1858, they discovered gold in paying
quantities at the confluence of Little Dry Creek and the South
Platte River, in what is now Englewood. The discovery preci-
pitated the Pikes Peak Gold Rush of 1859.

RED ROCKS PARK (60) Historic, Scenic, Natural

John Brisben Walker originated the idea of a mountain parks
system for Denver. In 1937, the outdoor theatre was built
in the natural Red Rocks amphitheater and is today a popu-
lar concert setting for Denver area audiences.

MORRISON SCHOOL (62) Historic

226 Spring Street, Morrison
Built in 1875 from locally quarried sandstone, this building
served as a school until 1955.

FALCON CASTLE RUINS (63) Historic, Scenic

John Erisben Walker, Denver area landholder and founder of
Cosmopolitan magazine, dreamed in 1911 of making Falcon
Castle the site of the summer White House for the President
of the United States. His dream was never realized, however,
and the castle was never finished.

COLOROW'S CAVE (65) Historic
This cave served as an occasional campsite for the mountain
Indians, the Utes.

WOLHURST (67) Historic
8025 South Santa Fe Drive, Littleton
Wolhurst was built by Colorado Senator Edward 0. Wolcott in
1891, it was the scene of extravagant entertaining and his-
toric political meetings.
TWENTY-MILE HOUSE KARKER (70) Historic

West side of Colorado Highway 83, Parker
The house is at the Junction of the Smoky Hill and Santa Fe
stage route on the Smoky Hill Trail 20 miles (32 km) from
Denver.

CARSON CAMP MARKER (71) Historic
East of Wildcat Point on south side of road
This tablet marks the spot where Kit Carson, accompanied by his
friend Major D. C. Oakes, built his last campfire, May, 1B68.

FRANKTOWN MARKER (72) Historic

West side of Colorado Highway 83, about 1/4 mile (0.4 leu) south
of intersection with Colorado Highway 86.
This marker commemorates Janes Frank Gardner, who settled here
in 1859 and built a way station, which became Franktown, on the
stage line between Denver and Santa Fe.

EAST AND WEST PLUM CREEKS (74) Historic, Scenic

On June 16, 1965, the Plum Creek watershed was the store cen-
ter for the most disastrous flood in the history of the Den-
ver area, 14 inches (36 cm) of rain fell in just a few hours.
Creeks quickly became ravaging torrants that destroyed trees,
highways, bridges, fields, and homes. When the flood reached
Denver, it picked up all kinds of rubble that formed dans
against bridges and spread the inundation. Damage exceeded
half a billion dollars.

PLATTE CANYON (76) Historic, Scenic
Kassler to South Platte
In 1874 the Denver, South Park, and Pacific began work on a
narrow-gage railroad through the canyon to connect Denver with
the mining camps of South Park and Leadville. Today, a ser-
vice road along the old railroad bed, provides access for fish-
ermen and bicyclists.
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Appendix Table A-8. (Continued) MAJOR HISTORICAL SITES WITHIN THE DENVER AREA
Site name, map symbol* and description
Site name, map symbol* and description
WESTALL MONUMENT (77) Historic
West of Dome Rock on the North Fork of the South Platte River
This monument commemorates the death of engineer William West-
all, who was killed in an accident on August 28, 1898.

GREEN MERCANTILE STORE (78) Historic

Buffalo Creek
This solid two-story native-granite building has been op-
erated as a store by the Green family ever since it was
built in 1898 in the timber camp and tourist stop of
Buffalo Creek.

NORTH FORK OF THE SOUTH PLATTE RIVER (80) Historic, Natural

The river route was popular in the days of the Denver, South
Park, and Pacific Railroad, and the old hotel at South Platte
did a hearty tourist business.

NINE MILE HOUSE (A)

TOLLCATE CREEK STATION SITE (B)

COAL CREEK STATION (C)

SMOKY HILL TRAIL (D,E, AND F)
Three alternate routes of this trail were used in the 1859
Gold Rush. Water availability, Indian problems, and ad-
vancement of the railroad from Kansas determined the ex-
tent to which each route was used. Drivers followed ridge
tops during wet weather and valley bottoms during dry, so
the trails wandered over an area several miles (several
kilometres) wide. Today, the grass-grown depressions are
still visible in some heavily .traveled sections.

SXOKY HILL NORTH TRAIL (D)

The last stage to Denver over the Smoky Hill South Trail
ran in June 1866. Stock and equipment were transferred
to new positions along the Smoky Hill North Trail. West-
bound stages to Denver stopped running after the rail-
road line was completed in 1870.
.MIDDLE SMOKY HILL (STARVATION) TRAIL CE)

This trail, first used in 1859, is the oldest of the Smoky
Hill routes into Denver.

SMOKY HILL SOUTH TRAIL OF)

In 1865 a new route to Denver supplanted the Middle Smoky
Hill (Starvation) Trail.

CHEROKEE TRAIL (G) Historic

About 1849 a band of Cherokee Indians, found placer gold near
the junction of Ralston Creek and Clear Creek. Reports of their
discoveries contributed to the Pikes Peak Gold Rush of 1859.
Later, the same route was used by the frontier stage companies
and named the Cherokee Trail.

GOODNIGHT-LOVING CATTLE TRAIL (H) Historic
Along Cherry Creek to Denver
After the Civil War, when the Colorado gold boom was in pro-
gress and the miners created a great demand for beef, two
Texans, Charles Goodnight and Oliver Loving, attempted to
capture the Colorado market. In 1865 they herded 2,000 head
of cattle through New Mexico to Denver.

LONG EXPEDITION (I) Historic

Major Stephen H. Long was sent by President James Monroe to
explore the southwestern boundary of the Louisiana Purchase.
Long was disgusted with the plains of Colorado, called them
"the Great American Desert," and felt that nothing could ever
grow there. Members of his group, made the first recorded
ascent of Pikes Peak, a mountain that Lt. Zebulon Pike had
considered not climbable.

DENVER, SOUTH PARK, AND PACIFIC RAILROAD ROUTE (J) Scenic,
Historic
Denver to South Park and Leadville via Platte Canyon
This narrow-gage railroad was started in 1874 and took 8 years
to complete. It was built to handle the ores from the mines
in South Park and Leadville; it soon became a major freight
and passenger route and a great tourist attraction.
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Appendix Table A-8. (Continued) MAJOR HISTORICAL SITES WITHIN THE DENVER AREA
Site name, map symbol" and description
Site name, map symbol3 and description
GOLDEN GATE TOLL ROAD (K)

This road served as a busy shortcut to the. Gregory Diggings at
Central City. It was built in I860, and it operated until
about 1871, when its business was taken over by the Colorado
Central Railroad, which ran a line from Golden to Central
City via Clear Creek Canyon.
LEAVENWORTH AND PIKES PEAK EXPRESS, (L) Historic
BEN HOLLADAY'S OVERLAND EXPRESS ROUTE

Followed the South Platte River valley into Denver
In 1859 freighting partners Russel, Majors, and Waddell chart-
ered the Leavenworth and Pikes Peak Express Co. to provide
daily service from Kansas to Denver along the Smoky Hill and
Platte River Trails. When their business failed, Ben Hol-
laday bought the line in 1862, put the stages on schedule, and
quickly dominated Western transportation of that era. He
managed a vast transportation empire that controlled over
5,000 miles (8,000 km) of stage lines. In 1866, he sold out
to Wells-Fargo, which ran the stages to Denver until the
railroad came in 1870.
For location see Map G
-------
Appendix Table A-9. SCENIC SITES WITHIN THE DENVER AREA
Site name, map symbol8 and description
Site name, map symbola and description
ON
THE FLATIRONS (2) Scenic, Natural

The upraised Fountain Formation dips steeply to the east,
providing an impressive backdrop for the City of Boulder.

DEVILS THUMB (3) Scenic, Natural

This resistant sandstone outcrop of the Fountain Forma-
tion provides a popular exercise for technical climbus.

BARR LAKE (5) Scenic, Natural

The Rockies provide a panoramic backdrop west of the lake.

RALSTON BUTTES (8) Scenic, Natural

Sor.e residents viewing the buttes from Golden refer to
them as "Old Indian Head" because of their fancied
resemblance to a reclining human head.

NORTH TABLE MOUNTAIN (15) Scenic, Natural
SOUTH TABLE MOUNTAIN (15) Scenic, Natural
These flat-topped mountains are conspicuous landmarks west
of Denver.

BUFFALO BILL'S GRAVE AND MUSEUM (25) Scenic, Historic
The site and museum on Lookout Mountain are owned and
maintained by Denver Nacional Parks.

GENESEE PARK BRIDGE (26) Scenic
This graceful bridge provides a picture frame of the Con-
tinental Divide for westbound motorists on Interstate 70.

MOTHER CABRINI SHRINE AND ORPHANAGE (27) Scenic, Historic
The Mother Cabrini Shrine and summer home for orphans, on a
high ridge in the foothills of the Rockies., have a commending
view of Denver and the great Plains.

DANIELS AND FISHER TOWER (36) See Denver Area. Scenic, Historic

The structure was for many years the dominant landmark in
Denver.
RED ROCKS PARK (60) Scenic, Natural, Historic

World-famous Red Rocks Park is eroded from eastward dipping beds
of the Fountain Formation,

KISSING ROCKS (61) Scenic

South side of Colorado Highway 74 in Bear Creek Canyon. Erosion
has sculptured this outcrop of Precambrian rock into a fanciful
shape that looks like two people about to kiss,

FALCON CASTLE RUINS (63) Scenic, Historic

The Jefferson County Open Space Program plans to provide access
trails and protection for the ruins,

BERGEN DITCH WATERFALL C64) Scenic
West'of the Hogback of Dakota Sandstone, Bergen Ditch tumbles off
an outcrop of Lyons Sandstone and creates a picturesque waterfall.

DUTCH CREEK VISTA C66) Scenic
Dutch Creek winds through undeveloped rolling plains and has the
foothills and Hogback as a scenic backdrop,

DEER CREEK CANYON (68) Scenic
Deer Creek Canyon is a picturesque gorge from its mouth west to
Phillipsburg.

DANIELS PARK AREA (69) Scenic, Natural
Much of this rocky gulch area is a Denver Mountain Park.

EAST AND WEST PLUM CREEKS (74) Scenic, Historic

East and West Plum Creeks flow on opposite sides of a low dissect-
ed ridge of Dawson Arkose and local buttes capped by ash flow tuff.

ROXBOROUGH PARK (75) Scenic
The colorful Fountain Formation forms spectacular red rock outcrops
along the eastern side of the Front Range,
-------
Appendix Table A-9(continued). SCENIC SITES WITHIN THE DENVER AREA
Site. jtaacj map symbol* and description
Site name, map symbol3 and description
ON
PLATTE CANYON (76) Scenic, Historic

The South Flatte River cuts a deep narrow canyon through
Precansbrian granitic gneiss between the towns of South
Platte and Kassler.

PINE GULCH (79) Scenic
A picturesque scream flows through this little developed
gulch, heavily wooded with pine, spruce, and aspen.

MARSHALL MESA (4) Natural

Sometimes called Pine Ridge, this sandstone shelf on
the Laramie and Fox Hills Formations is the site of an
unusual plant community east of the mountains. Local
hydrologic and microclimatic conditions support a
stand of ponderosa pine, juniper, and Douglas-fir.
Because of the attractive geologic setting and unsual
plant association, researchers from the University of
Colorado have looked upon the area as a versatile
outdoor laboratory (Biggins and Dodson, 1970).
BARR LAKE (5) Natural, Scenic

Originally known as Oasis Reservoir, Barr Lake's marshy shore
and good food supply attract many species of water fowl,

DANIELS PARK AREA (69) Natural, Scenic

Much of the area is a Denver Mountain Park. Pine, juniper, and
scrub oak in the rocky gulches provide shelter for small
animals and blrdlife.
*For location see Map G
-------
LAND WASTE TREATMENT SITES
Currently, there is little land treatment of wastewater in the
Denver Area. Future plans call for some successive use and reuse of
wastewater by urban and agricultural irrigation and domestic or indus-
trial reuse. However, only the city of Westminster has firm plans for
land application at this time. A contract with the Farmer's High Line
Canal and Reservoir Company has been executed to exchange secondarily
treated effluent for raw water in the canal which is presently utilized
for irrigation on a one for one basis. (Reference" 972) The effluent will
be used for crop irrigation, and the diverted raw canal water will be
used for the cities municipal use. This action will increase the city's
water supply for municipal use and provide further wastewater treatment
through land application.
Land application of the treated solid component of sewage called
sludge is being made by many wastewater treatment plants in the area.
Generally, sludge is sold or applied to city-owned parks and other green
areas in the area as a soil conditioner. Some sludge is disposed in
landfills. The largest volume of sludge in the area is produced by the
Northside/MDSDD #1 treatment complex. Present practice is to dewater
undigested sludge thus reducing its volume and truck it to the Lowry
Bombing Range where it is mixed with soil. Because of high loading rate
of about 30 tons of sludge per acre per year, this practice will be dis-
continued as soon as an alternative plan can be implemented. Sludge dis-
posal plans for the Denver area are now in the environmental review phase
of planning.
A partial alleviation to-the sludge disposal problem is the anerobic
digestors presently under construction at the Denver Metro Plant. These
digesters are expected to reduce the volume of sludge currently being
produced by up to 50 percent. The digestors are planned to be in opera-
tion by March of 1977. The sludge disposal plans undergoing environ-
mental review call for transport of liquid digested sludge via pipeline
to a drying/distribution center in Western Adams County (see Figure II-
C). The sludge would be dried on about 600 acres of drying beds, stored
A-68
-------
for about a year, and sold as a fertilizer/soil conditioner to home-
owners, municipalities and farms in the area. The entire site which was
selected because of its remoteness from present or projected urban areas
would cover 2,000 acres. However, plans for an airport in the vicinity
may pose future land use conflicts of some minor degree between the
sludge disposal site and urban development attracted by the airport
facility. No decision has yet been made on this plan.
A-69
-------
TRAFFIC
The predominant mode of intra-city travel in the region is the auto-
mobile, which accounts for 97 percent of all trips made in 1974 (Refer-
ence 403). The region is also served by bus transit service, which had
approximately 470 coaches by the end of 1975. Petroleum-powered trans-
portation modes are served by a fairly extensive network of roads, rang-
ing from local, surface streets to major limited-access highways. Two
interstate highways, 1-70 running west-east and 1-25 running north-south,
intersect in Denver, providing both inter-city and intra-city thorough-
fares. Five major intra-city corridors extend from the central business
district (CBD) to the major cardinal directions and along Cherry Creek.
These corridors are, Coifax Avenue, Colorado Boulevard, Federal Boulevard,
and Broadway (Reference 403). Growth and development within the region
have generally occurred along these corridors, which are ,8-to 1.6-km
[1/2-mile to 1 mile] wide along their respective thoroughfares. Com-
mercial development surrounds the thoroughfare, and residential areas
extend towards adjacent corridors. This sprawl form of growth is typical
of large U.S. cities served by a few major transportation corridors leading
into the central city.
The existing highway system becomes overloaded at peak traffic
times in several areas. A 1970 study by the Colorado Division of High-
ways found that at 28 percent of the monitored locations traffic volumes
exceeded available capacities (Reference 403). Since 1970, total daily
vehicle miles of travel have increased 25 percent indicating a worsening
of the monitored situation. Appendix Table A-10 illustrates that, as
the population increases and people live at greater distances from the
CBD and other nodes of activity, absolute and per capita vehicle miles
are likely to increase. Such an increase in per capita vehicle miles is
greater than the rate of population increase because of the greater
distances traveled.
A-70
-------
Appendix Table A-10 PROJECTION OF POPULATION GROWTH, VEHICLE MILES
TRAVELED, AND MILES/CAPITA/DAY FOR THE DENVER
REGIONa

Miles/Capita/Day
Population, millions
Daily vehicle miles , millions
1970
12.3
1.0
12.3
1990
15.9
1.6
25.4
2000
18.0
1.8
32.4
(Reference 412)
Major highways which have been identified as presently experiencing
traffic overload conditions are:
Colfax Avenue from CBD to Englewood
1-25 (Valley Highway) from the Denver-Boulder Turnpike Interchange
south past U.S. Highway 6.
I-70/1-25 Interchange, nicknamed the "mousetrap"..
Federal Boulevard, Speer Boulevard, Alameda Avenue and Santa Fe
Drive, as they approach the CBD (Reference 408).
The following arterials also are congested as they approach the
major highways in and out of the CBD:
Wadsworth Boulevard
Hampden Freeway
Sheridan Boulevard
Colorado Boulevard
Relief in the form of further highway construction is being planned.
Plans for southwest Denver call for the phased construction of a cir-
cumferential highway, 1-470, along with the widening and extension of
principal arterials, construction of specially designed interchanges,
and construction of an arterial bypass along the southwest edge of the
region (Reference 401).
Various types of mass transit remedies for present and future con-
gestion problems are being studied by the Regional Transportation District
(RTD). RID has the ultimate goal of developing, maintaining and operating
a public transportation system for the benefit of the District's inhabitants
(Reference 412).
A-71
-------
Appendix Table A^-IJ.
nrouwriOH OM LOCAL PLANNING IN THE DENVER REGION
Jurisdiction
and Address
Adea) County
450 S. *th Av.
Brighton. CO 80601
Arapaboe County
2069 V. Littleton BIT.
Littleton. CO 80120 .
City of Arvada
•101 Ralaton Rd.
Arvada. CO 80002
City of Aurora
1470 Eaporia Street
Ivor*. CO 80010
City of Boulder
1777 Broadway. Bos 791
Boulder. CO 80302
Boulder County
Bex 4U
Boolder. CO 80302
City of Brooafield
• Garden Office Center
Brooafleld, CO 80020
City of Cherry Bills
Village
2450 E, Quiacy Ave.
_Knglewood. CO 80110
dty of Coaaerca City
9291 E. 60th St. .Box 1S9
Commerce City. CO 80022
City/County of Denver
1445 Cleveland Place
Boo* 400
Beaver. CO 80202
City of Edgevater
5845 W. 25th Ave.
Ugewater, CO 80214
City of Eaglewood
9400 S. Elati Street
Bnglewood. CO 80110
City of Pederal Heights
2380 B. 90th Avenue
•caver, CO 80221
City of Cleadale .
950 So. Birch Street
Beaver. CO 80222
City of Golden
til - 10th Street
Coldea, CO 80401
Agency Bead
acd Telephone
Robert Fleming
Flag. Director
303/659-2120
Donald V. Paul
Plag. Director
X3/79S-44SO
Don L. Kinaey
Plag. Director
303/421-2550
John Arney
Plag. Director
3037750-5000
Rolaa Rosall
ring. Director
303/441-3270
Id Tepe
'Ing. Director
303/442-2880
Deania Wgert
Act. Plag. Dir.
303/469-3301
Janes H. Small
Plag. Director
303/789-2541
Dale Gilbert
Ping. Director
303/287-3485
Alan Canter
Plag. Director
303/287-2736
Keith Daly
Chalnan/Plng.
CoaBission
303/238-0573
Contact
Sana, Interview
1/13/77
Saaa, intei. view
11/16/76
Saaa. interview
1/4/77
Same, interview-
12/23/76
lime, interview
1/14/77
Saae. letter
12/7/76
Saae, interview.
12/28/76
Bo contact
•Plan review only
Robert A. Daserau
Asst. Dir. /Planning
letter 11/16/76
Plan review only
Richard S. Vanish Sane, interview
Dlr./Cooawaity 1/6/77
Development
303/761-1140
Oa. L. Kennedy
Chat nan/Ping.
CoaBission
303/428-3526
B. L. Beber
Ping. Director
303/759-1513
Chat; L. Bean
Asat. City Mgr.
Planner
303/279-3331
David A. Hawker
Ada. Assistant
letter 11/19/76
'John Baadel
letter 11/10/76
Saaa. letter
11/10/76
DRCOC DRCOC
Projected Projected
Annual Population
Growth Rate Tear 2000
1975-2000 UOOO's)
Local
Projected
Population
Tear 2000
(1000's)
Unincorporated Urban:
1.15 83.1 Saae
Unincorporated Nonurbani
1.38 14.8 Saaa
Unincorporated Urban:
3.22 92.1 109.8
Unincorporated Nonurban:
2.18 1.2 Saaa
1.51 117.4
2.56 228.7
1.39 130.1
127.0
285.0
153.0
Eastern Unincorporated County:
'2.51 24.7 Saw
Small Cities*!
4.38 28.9 Saaa
4.07 44.5
2.77 10.7
0.29 20.0
0.74 633.9
0.28 5.9
0.99 45.9
2.14 12.9
3.48 8.7
2.36 26.0
65.0
Saae
Saaa
714.6
Saae
Sea*
Saaa
*~
Saaa
Status of Local Planning
Comprehensive plan adopted
1975
Master land use aap for
urban area adopted 1972
Adopted 1973 (updated
biennially)

land use plan adopted 1973
CoBpreheasive plan adopted
by city and county 1970
Adopted environaental C
agricultural eleaents of
' coapreheasive plan for
unincorporated areas
Adopted comprehensive plan
and future land use map 1973

Draft land use plan published
1976
Current comprehensive plan
(date?); land use section
about to be updated
Coapreheasive plea published
1967
Coapreheasive plan adopted
1969; revision scheduled for
completion in 1977
Master sonlng Bap. date
unknown
All property soned PUD
1970 comprehensive plan was
aot adopted. Five major
growth policies.
"Cities of Erie. Lafayette. Louisville aad Superior.
A-72
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City of Greenwood Village Chas. HenUer
7495 E. Prentice Avenue Ping. Director
PIC Bldg. 42 303/773-2525
bglevood. CO 80110

Jefferson County
1700 Arapahoe
felden, CO 80419
(Dnlnc-urban/nonurban)
Ida N. Daniels
Asat. Planner
Interview 11/16/76
Micfeael Davidson Same,
• Ping. Director
303/279-6511
letter 12/29/76
4.29
10.0
Unincorporated Urban<
7.78 137.9 176.0
Unincorporated Nonurban:
18.10 12.8 12.0
Creenbelt program natter
plan collated 1973
Subarea plan* adopted;
variously dated
City of Lakeweod
ISM Yarrow Street
lakcvood, CO 80215
City of Littleton
2450 V. Kala Street
Uttletoa. CO 60120
City of Longmont
4th Av. 4 Klmbark St.
tdegmont. CO 80501
City of Borthglenn
10969 Irma Drive
korthgleno., CO 8023)
City of Sheridan
440 So. Federal Blvd.
Sheridan. CO 60110
City of Thornton
9471 Dorothy Blvd.
Thornton. CO 80229
City of We* master
3031 V. 76th Av..
Ifcstminster, CO 80030
Jane* Spore. Dlr.
CooMatlty Develop.
303/234-8350
Jon T. Payne
Ping. Director
303/794-4214
Kenneth Dell
Ping. Director
303/776-0050
Jerry Starling
Ping. Director
303/451-8326
Harry blsacre
Ping. Director
303/795-3414
Janes Keller
Ping. Director
303/289-5801
John Franklin
Ping. Director
303/429-1546
City of Vheat Ridge Dennis Zuagerun
7470 H. 38th AV..BOX 610 Ping. Director
Bmt Kldge, CO 60033 303/422-8028
Chaa. StroBDerg. AMC.
Dlr./Coasua. Develop.
latervltfw 12/22/76
Sane, Interview
11/16/76
Ho contact
Wayne Ethrldge
Planner/Landscape Arch.
Interview 11/17/76
Pete Toedman, Bldg.
Cceolssloner
Interview 1/10/77
lim Volt
Planner III
Interview 11/15/76
Donald D. Cllner. Dlr.
Coonmlty Development
interview 11/17/76
Sane. Interview
1/12/77
TOTAL:
2.23
1.39
a. is
0.82
3.20
X32
2.52
1.27
2.10"
213.6
47.3
•7.4
38.4
13.2
63.5
58.9
47.0
2.241.7*
250.0
S4.3
85.7
44.0
Saae
90.2
73.3
44.0
2.576. 7e
Comprehensive plan adopted
1973
Be cospreheasive plan;
•Mttr toning up

Hatter toning map adopted
1973
Management study completed
1974 with 701 grant
Comprehensive plan adopted
1975
CoBprehensive plan/land use
plan adopted 1973
Comprehensive plan adopted
1976
rate based on 1975 population of 1,331.990 which excludes areas Indicated In note (b).

Viffers from DKCOG regional projection due to the following omissions as listed in Kef. 231: Communities of Bow Kar, Box Elder.
Brighton, Columbine Valley, Ease Plains and Mountain View; and the areas of Boulder and Jefferson Counties designated "Mtn" and
"A-P Urban".

Hocal forecasts from Kef. 231 or Interviews.

teorcet Kef. 231 and communications indicated In table.
A-73
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ECONOMIC ACTIVITY
Historically, the economic base of Denver and its region has
rested on primary industries - mining and agriculture - and on its
strategic location as a point of east-west transportation and
communications. In recent decades, a shift in employment from
goods-producing industries such as manufacturing and agriculture
to service industries such as trade and finance, insurance and
real estate has been experienced, which has been a national trend.
Nevertheless, agriculture and related processing and distribution
activities have remained a key element of the local economy, while
in the last few years, firms with energy-related operations have
assumed an increasing role in the regional economic picture.
Denver's position as gateway to recreational resources in the
Rocky Mountains is another important contributor to the local
economy.
Major Types of Economic Activity
Agriculture
Denver lies at a transition point between the plains and the
mountains. Agricultural activity in the mountains is principally
livestock grazing; in the plains, major crops include alfalfa;
small grains, corn and sugar beets, as well as livestock (Ref.
104). Denver is a major agricultural and livestock market, and
regional employment in agriculture is high relative to that of the
nation, as is shown in Appendix Table A-12.
In terms of crop values, the most important single crop in
the Denver region is winter wheat, which, in 1974, accounted for
almost 43% of the value of all crops produced in the four countries
surrounding Denver. Crop value data are presented in Appendix
Table A-13.
Crop value is only a partial index to the overall importance
of agricultural activity, because agricultural production in the
A-74
-------
Appendix Table A-12

Denver Region Agricultural Employment Compared
to U. S. Agricultural Employment, 1970

Total Civilian Employment in Agriculture
Employment Number % of Total
(000's) (000*s)

Denver SMSA 83.8 5.0

United States 77,308.8 2,700.0
6.0

3.5
Sources: U.S. Census of Population, 1970: State Economic Areas
(Table 6) and General Social and Economic Characteristics,
U.S. Summary (Table 82). Both agricultural counts include
forestry and fisheries and exclude food processing.

Appendix Table A-13

Value of Crop Production by County, 1974
(in 000's)
County
Winter
Wheat
Corn (Grain
& Silage)
Hay
Sugar
Beets
All Other
Crops
Total
Adams
13,329.0 3,458.0
2,359.5 1,333.0 3,866.2 24.345.7
Arapahoe 4.070.0
Boulder
394.3
706.6 3,357.0
718.1
601.5 5.783.9
2,219.0 2,390.0 2,694.2 11,366.8
Jefferson
293.4
136.0
829.5
369.0 1,627.9
TOTAL
18,399.0 7,345.3 6,126.1 3,723.0 7,530.9 43,124.3
A-75
-------
region creates jobs in a variety of other sectors, in sectors,
including manufacturing, transportation, wholesale trade,
services, and finance-insurance-real estate. In California, a
statewide multiplier for agricultural activity has been estimated
between three and four, meaning that for each $1 of agricultural
production, the state enjoys $2 to $3 of additional production
and services related indicated to agriculture (Monthly Summary
of Business Conditions, Security Pacific Bank, September 30,
1976.
The same kinds of interindustry effects of agricultural
activity have been observed in Colorado. Researchers at Colorado
State University have explored linkages between agriculture and
other industries in portions of Admas and Jefferson Counties north
of Denver. The research team calculated the dollar impacts on
the local economy which would be experienced if agricultural pro-
duction on the lands lying within the service areas of three
irrigation companies ceased.
The researchers found that virtually every sector of the
economy would experience decreases in demand, resulting in
reductions in employment and income. Only the direct effects
were calculated. The estimate of potential impact is conserva-
tive because it excludes indirect effects: each industry sector
will experience reduced demand from other sectors due to reduc-
tion in sales to agriculture. A summary of the direct effects
is presented in Appendix Table A-14.
The CSU study illustrates the importance of agriculture to
the economy of the Denver region. The contribution of agricul-
ture to the region's economy lies only in part in the proximity
of Denver to lands under agricultural production; it also derives
from Denver's role as a regional center of manufacturing, finance
and trade. This role will permit the Denver region to continue
to derive economic benefits from agriculture and to provide goods
A-76
-------
Appendix Table A-14
Direct Effects of Agricultural Activity
on Other Sectors of the Economy
Sector
Agriculture
Mining & Other
Extractive In-
dustries
Manufacturing
Transportation,
Communication &
Utilities
Trade
Services
Education
Reduction in
Total Output
($000)
12,516
70
3,092

685
1,324
2,751
30
Direct Reduction
in Employment
(person-years)
308
2
68

23
34
124
3
Direct Reduction
in Income
($000)
2,441
17
573

204
204
619
16
TOTAL
20,468
562
4,974
Source: Colorado State University, Environmental Resources Center,
Physical and Economic Effects on the Ix>cal Agricultural E
Economy of Water Transfer to Cities, October, 1976.

and services to agricultural interest even while agricultural activity
becomes increasingly distant from Denver due to urbanization and other
factors.
Within the Denver region, prospects for furture agricultural pro-
duction depend, to some extent, on the continued availability of agri-
cultural land and supportive resources, particularly water. Of the
major Denver region crops discussed above, only winter wheat is grown
without irrigation; corn, sugar beets and alfalfa hay require irriga-
tion. Transfer of water from agricultural to urban uses may result in
the loss of agricultural production: conversion of land from irrigated
A-77
-------
to non-irrigated farming use can require several years. The issue
of transfer of water rights from agricultural to urban uses is
addressed elsewhere in this report.
The land itself is, of course, the other major requirement of
agricultural production. As metropolitan areas grow, there is
pressure for conversion of vacant land at the fringes of the urban-
ized area to urban uses. Much of the growth that has taken place in
the Denver region since 1950 is on land once used for agriculture.
Using Adams County as an example, researchers at Colorado State
University have found that about 11,540 acres of land within the
boundaries of three irrigation companies were converted to urban uses
between 1957 and 1974. Of these, about 8,100 were cropland, 1,390
acres were grassland, and 2,045 were idle. Some of the idle land had
previously been used for crops, which parallels national data indi-
cating that agricultural conversion is often a two step process:
cropland to idle, and idle to urban.
Data on agricultural land patterns for a two-county area-
Adams and Arapahoe - confirms the CSU study, showing that, over time
most urban land comes out of the cropland category. Appendix Table
A-15 presents historic data on agricultural land use in Adams and
Arapahoe counties for 1961 and 1970. About 56% of the gross addition
to urban land during the 1960's came from cropland. However, the
total acreage in cropland did not decline over this period, because
land in other open land categories was converted to cropland. The
net addition to cropland was about 5400 acres, of which about equal
amounts came out of pasture and range and out of open idle.
These data suggest that, while urban uses are eroding open
lands, it is idle land thatis most subject to urban conversion. The
fact that idle and lower-intensity agricultural uses were being
converted to croplands indicates anticipation of continued strength
in the markets for the region's crops. This perception squares with
recent observations of trends in the price of agricultural lands,
A-78
-------
Appendix Table A-15
Agricultural and Urban Land Use in Adams and
Arapahoe Counties, 1961 and 1970

1961
615.2
ange 294.4
245.2
9.3
BO. 3
63.6
i^nR.n
Land Use
1970
620.7
308.1
192.1
7.6
115.0
64.4
1
-------
In all major non-agricultural sectors of the region's economy grew
at a faster rate than in the nation during the second half of the
1960's and are expected to continue to surpass national growth
through the 1970's (Denver Urban Observatory: The Economic Base
of Denver: Implications for Denver's Fiscal Future and Admini-
strative Policy, 1974). During the 1940-1970 period, employment
in the five-county Denver region increased at an average rate of
3.7% per year, while state and national employment grew at rates
of 3.0% and 1.7% respectively. (DRCOG: CognotationSj December,
1976). In 1970, about 60% of Colorado employment was located in
these five counties.
In 1975, non-agricultural employment in the Denver Region
numbered about 661,400. About 65% of these jobs are concentrated
in three sectors: Trade, services and government (including mili-
tary). Denver's economic mix is_more strongly concentrated than
the U.S. economy as a whole in the service-producing sectors than
in the goods-producing sectors.
A-80
-------
REUSE IMPLEMENTATION AND PLANNING IN THE DENVER AREA
This memorandum reviews implemented and planned
reuse projects of the water supply agencies in the Denver
area. Information on reuse projects was derived from
previous studies of the subject by CH-M-Hill Inc. and the
Denver Regional Council of Governments during the PL
92-500 Section 208 water quality management planning process,
reports of on-going research by the staff of the Denver
Water Department, documentation of the plans of several
of the water supply agencies, and contacts with repre-
sentatives of other water supply agencies.
Previous reports on reuse in the Denver area consider
only direct reuse, i.e. potable reuse, industrial reuse,
urban irrigation and agricultural reuse by piping effluent
to an irrigation ditch in exchange for raw water supplies.
This memorandum will also consider more indirect agricultural
reuse by placing effluent in the stream system to ex-
change for raw water supplies. The indirect exchanges
are cost efficient and will limit the amount of effluent
available for the direct types of reuse.
Colorado water law restricts the use of in-basin or
tributary water under a water right to the level of con-
sumptive use established historically through excercise
of the right. Expanding the consumptive use under the
right results in injury to downstream water rights and
particularly to downstream junior water rights. This
effect is the basis for decisions by the Colorado Supreme
Court which prevent reuse of in-basin water which has
been historically diverted and used by the Denver area
water supply agencies. The question of the extent to which
the restriction applies to in-basin water used historically
for agricultural use and transferred to municipal use with
a subsequent reduction in the amount of consumptive use
is being considered at the present time by the Colorado
Supreme Court. The City of Aurora is aurguing that reuse
Leonard Rice Consulting Water Engineers. IRC
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-2-
to the extent of the historic consumptive use would
not materially injury other water rights.
The Colorado Supreme Court has sanctioned the reuse
of water not historically tributary to the basin in which
the initial use is made. Non-tributary water includes
trans-basin diversions, water derived from bedrock aquifers
and developed waters. Trans-basin diversions are the most
significant of the non-tributary waters in terms of pre-
sent use and availability for reuse in the Denver area.
Trans-mountain diversions are being made at this time
by the Denver Water Department and the Cities of Aurora,
Englewood, and Golden. The diversions are made from the
Eraser, Williams Fork,Blue and Eagle Rivers, tributaries
to the Colorado River, through an extensive network of
diversion structures, reservoirs, ditches and tunnels.
From 1974 through 1976 these diversions averaged approximately
114,750 acre-feet per year. The system has the potential
to divert up to 200,000 acre^feet per year. Diversions
of non-tributary ground water by all water supply agencies
in the Denver area amounted to approximately 3,000 acre-
feet during 1975. Approximately 50% or less of the return
flow from non-tributary ground water was collected for
centralized waste water treatment.
Implemented reuse plans by the major Denver area water
supply agencies have the potential to amount to approximately
50,900 acre-feet per year. Of this total approximately
900 acre-feet is reused for urban irrigation of recreation
facilities. The Denver Water Department has implemented
a program having the potential for up to 50,000 acre-feet
to be reused by indirect exchange with agricultural water
users for additional water supplies.
The following sections describe the implemented and
planned reuse projects of the Denver area water supply
agencies. These projects are summarized in Table 1.
Leonard Rice Consuming Water Engineers. Inc.
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ARVADA
Raw water supplies for the City of Arvada are obtained
from Denver's trans-mountain diversion through the Moffat
Tunnel. The City is contractually limited to 19,000
acre-feet per year of trans-mountain water and cannot
reuse the return flow from it. In 1975 the City obtained
approximately 14,500 acre-feet of trans-raountain water from Denver.
The City has filed for a water right to reuse a portion
of the effluent from the city's wastewater treatment plant.
The filing is based on return flow from six wells which
divert non-tributary ground water to supplement the city's
water supply during peak demand periods. During 1975
these wells produced approximately 200 acre-feet of water.
The city plans to utilize the return flow by exchange for
additional water supplies from Clear Creek.
AURORA
The City of Aurora obtains most of its raw water
supplies from the Homestake Project which mades trans-
mountain diversions from the Eagle River to the Arkansas
River and South Platte River Basins. The city's rights
presently have the potential yield approximately 13,000
acre-feet per year. In 1975, the city obtained approximate-
ly 10,000 acre-feet from the project. The Homestake
Project will be expanded during the mid-1980's to yield
the city an average of 30,000 acre-feet per year. The
city obtains the remainder of its water from the South
Platte River, but maintains a standby well field which
could produce 1,600 acre-feet of non-tributary ground
water. Estimating a 60% return flow from the trans-mountain
diversions, the city could presently reuse 7,800 acre-
feet per year and may be able to reuse 18,000 acre-feet
per year by the mid-1980's.
The City of Aurora presently reuses effluent from
its 1 mgd Sand Creek wastewater treatment plant for urban
irrigation of a golf course. This reuse amounts to
approximately 550 acre-feet per year. The city is consider-
ing plans for expanding reuse of return flows from trans-
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— «*•
mountain diversions for additional urban irrigation,
industrial use and potable water supply or alternatively
lease, sale or exchange to obtain additional water supplies.
A portion of the City of Aurora's raw water supplies
are obtained from agricultural water rights which have
been transferred to the city's water intake. The city
contends its consumptive use is 12 to 37% smaller than the
historic consumptive use under the rights. The city has
filed suit to reuse the transferred agricultural water
to the extent that its use will be equivalent to the
historic use under the rights. A decision favorable to
Aurora will provide an additional 800 to 2,600 acre-feet
of water which could be reused by the city.
BOULDER
The City of Boulder has considered a number of reuse
plans in recent years. None have yet proven to be feasible
due to economics or present water law. Boulder obtains
approximately 11,500 acre-feet of trans-mountain wator
through the Colorado-Big Thompson Project, but by contract
cannot reuse the return flows from this water. The planned
Six Cities Project to make trans-mountain diversions
may provide Boulder an additional 10,000 acre-feet of
water per yee.r. The return flows from this project should
provide Boulder approximately 6,000 acre-feet annually
for reuse.
DENVER WATER DEPARTMENT
The Denver Water Department is the principal water
supply agency in the Denver area. Denver presently can
supply up to 300,000 acre-feet of water in a dry year.
About 60% of this total would be derived from trans-mountain
diversions and the remainder from the South Platte Basin.
Denver's use of the trans-mountain diversions has averaged
106,679 acre-feet annually from 1974 through 1976 and
return flows from trans-mountain water have averaged
53,284 acre-feet annually.
The Denver Water Department has sponsored research
Leonard Rice Consulting Water Engineers, Inc.
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-b-
into reuse for many years. Early studies eliminated
consideration of extensive industrial reuse or urban
irrigation due to the costs of distribution. Denver has
initiated planning of a 1.0 mgd pilot treatment plant
for potable reuse to be constructed by 1980. If the
plant can be operated safely in terms of producing
potable water and public acceptance remains high, a
100 mgd plant will be constructed by 1990.
Denver's present reuse project involves both direct
and indirect reuse of return flow from trans-mountain diver-
sions for agricultural irrigation under exchange agreements
and court decisions with irrigation ditches located
below Denver on the South Platte River. Under the terms
of a recent decision by the Colorado Supreme Court, the
Burlington Ditch Company has paid for the construction and
the operation and maintenance since 1972 of a pumping
plant to deliver secondary treated effluent from the
MDSDD §1 plant to the Burlington Ditch. The pumpage occurs
when there is insufficient stream flow at the ditch
headgate to fill the decreed amount of diversion under
the call in effect. Denver has an agreement to deliver
additional effluent to the ditch through the pumping plant
at Denver's expense to exchange- for raw water supplies
diverted at its intake on the South Platte River. From
1974 to 1976 an average of 19,300 acre-feet annually have
been delivered to the Burlington Ditch from MDSDD #1 plant.
Denver began late in 1976 to exchange return flow from
trans-mountain water with irrigation ditches below
Denver. The return flow is discharged to the South Platte
River at the MDSDD #1 plant and exchanged for water diverted
at Denver's intake. In all, exchange of the return flow
from trans-mountain diversions for water diverted at Denver's
intake is expected to amount to less than 50,000 acre-feet
annually. Exchange of effluent for raw water is less
expensive than potable reuse and is preferred by Denver.
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-b-
A Supreme Court decision rendered during 1976 clouds
the extent to which Denver can reuse return flows from its
trans-mountain diversions. In litigation between Denver
and the irrigation ditches on the South Platte River
below Denver the Court upheld in principal Denver's right
to reuse the return flows to the extent that they can
be identified by Denver. The Court denied, however, an
exchange proposed by Denver utilizing trans-mountain
return flows on the basis o-f a 1940 contract agreement
between Denver and the downstream ditches. In the contract
Denver agreed to apply its return flow from trans-mountain
water to offset evaporation from its reservoirs on the
South Platte River above the ditches. The decision did
not specify the extent to which present return flows
are committed by the 1940 contract. Denver maintains
that only the 1940 level of return flows are involved.
Denver has proceeded since late 1976 to replace the evapor-
ation with storage from the reservoirs in order to negate
the terms of the contract and clarify the availability of
its return flows for reuse.
ENGLEWOQD
The City of Englewood obtains its raw water supply from
the South Platte Basin. The city owns a small trans-
mountain diversion which is utilized by exchange for water
which is supplied by the Denver Water Department. The
rights to reuse this water have been contracted to Denver.
The city has not yet implemented a reuse project, but
is considering reuse through urban irrigation.
Fitzsimmons Army Medical Center
Effluent flows from Fitzsimmons average 0.45 mgd.
All effluent is reused to irrigate a golf course from May
through October. This reuse amounts to approximately
233 acre-feet per year. There are no plans for future
expansion of facilities at Fitzsimmons.
GOLDEN
The City of Golden obtains an average of 250 acre-feet
of water per year through its water rights in the Berthoud

Leonard Rice Consulting Water Engineers. Inc.
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Pass Ditch which makes a trans-mountain diversion from
the Fraser River to Clear Creek. Sewage from Golden
is presently treated at the Metropolitan Denver Sewage
Disposal District No. 1 plant and the return flow is not
physically available to the city for reuse. The city
is considering withdrawal from the District and construc-
tion of a wastewater treatment plant to enable reuse by
urban irrigation or by exchange for water supplies from
Clear Creek.
LAKEWOOD via SOUTH LAKEWOOD SANITATION DISTRICT
The City of Lakewood obtains most of its water supplies
from the Denver Water Department. Denver has retained
the right to reuse the return flow from the water it provides,
The water is treated and delivered by a number of water
companies. The South Lakewood Sanitation District
serves a population of 18,500 in Lakewood. Effluent
flows from the District total 1.5 mgd. Approximately
0.2 mgd is reused by urban irrigation of a nearby golf
course. This reuse amount to approximately 100 acre-feet
per year. Denver has requested that this reuse be stopped.
On-going 201 facility studies by the District have
identified potential reuse of 3,250 acre-feet for urban
irrigation. An agreement with the Denver Water Department
will be required to enable reuse at present or expanded levels.
LITTLETON
The City of Littleton obtains its entire water supply
from the Denver Water Department, and has not implemented
a reuse project as Denver has retained the right to reuse
the return flow. The city is in the early planing stages
for reuse of 500 to 600 acre-feet annually for urban
irrigation. An agreement with Denver will be required
to implement the planned project.
NORTHGLENN
The City of Northglenn presently obtains its water
supplies from the City of Thornton, and has not yet
implemented a reuse project. The city is planning to
Leonard Rice Consulting Water Enjlnests. Inc.
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-8-
expand its own water supplies through an agreement
with the Farmers Resarvoir and Irrigation Company (FRICO).
The plans call for the city to be able to exchange
treated wastewater delivered directly to the FRICO
system for up to 7,785 acre-feet of stored water
from Standley Lake annually. Northglenn will return the
amount divered from the lake plus 10% to be made up of
non-tributary ground water, surface water divered under
the cities water rights on Clear Creek and treated waste-
water. FRICO will specify the quality of the replacement
water and is not obligated to deliver water until all
physical facilities are constructed. Additional obli-
gations of the city are to demonstrate economic ability
to perform the construction, initiate construction prior
to a 12 month deadline.
THORNTON-WESTMINSTER
Neither of these cities has implemented a reuse project.
The cities are planning to exchange effluent from the
future Big Dry Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant with
agricultural water users to obtain additional water supplies.
The project is currently in the 201 facilities study
process. A study undertaken by Westminster shows the
secondary effluent will be of equal to better quality
than the ditch water at the point where the effluent
will enter the ditch system.
Leonard Rice Consulting Water Engineers. Inc.
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Table 1

IMPLEMENTED AND PLANNED REUSE PROJECTS IN THE DENVER AREA
City of Arvada
City of Aurora
City of Boulder
Denver Water Department
City of Englewood

Fitzsimons Army Medical Center

City of Golden
Existing Projects
Filed water right for 1.55 cfs
of return flow.
Urban irrigation with 1 mgd
during irrigation season.
None
Exchange of up to 50,000
acre-feet of return flow for
additional water supplies.
Research into potable reuse.
None

Urban irrigation with o.45
mgd during irrigation season,

None
Future Plans
Exchange return flow for
additional water diversion
from Clear Creek.

Increase urban irrigation to
3 mgd. Implement industrial
and potable reuse. Sale-, lease
or exchange return flows to
develop additional water suppli

The reuse or exchange of return
flow generated from Six Cities
Project water supply.

Construction of a 1 mgd potable
reuse plant by 1980 and a 100
n'gd potable reuse plant by 199f
Exchange return flow for additJ
water supplies.

Urban irrigation.

None
Urban irrigation. Potable reu,'
of return flew from urban
irrigation.
-------
South Lakewood Sanitation
District

City of Littleton

City of Northglen
City of Thornton

City of Westminister
Table 1 - continued

Existing Projects
Urban irrigation with 0.2 mgd
during irrigation season.

None.

None.
None.

None.
Future Plans
Expanded uroan irrigation.

Urban irrigation.

Exchange return flow with
agricultural water users for
additional water supplies and
storage.

See City of Westminster belo\v.

Exchange return flow from
Thornton and Westminister at
planned Big Dry Crec-V wwtp
with agricultural water users
for additional water supplies
and storage.
-------
EXECUTIVE CHAMBERS

RICHAKO D LAMM 1>KNVK«
GOVERNOR

January 7,1976
Dear Fellow Coloradan;

Government makes a variety of decisions on a daily basis which have great
impact on Colorado's growth and development. Questions of energy, trans-
portation, rural development, higher education, and transmountain water
diversion, as well as many others, all have long-range implications for
Colorado's future. Today, these decisions are made without long-term policy
guidelines.

Many other states have developed long-range growth and development plans.
Some are legislative, some are executive. It is my strong belief that
Colorado needs such a long-range growth and development plan. I would like
to facilitate the development of such a plan to guide governmental action
and, to some extent, non-governmental action.

No one person or administration can develop such a plan unilaterally.
We, however, do have a record in Colorado of past policy statements and
proposals made by the legislature, the executive branch, and by various
boards and commissions of the previous administrations. We have scrutinized
these past studies and proposals and found what we think are consistent
themes concerning Colorado's future. We have brought together these earlier
statements and studies and made an amalgam of them into one broad policy
statement.

It Is not meant to be perfect, but rather is designed to serve as a springboard
for discussion. It is a proposal which needs input from many Coloradans, and
u proposal on which I would like your comments and suggestions. I have already
visiLod several Colorado communities in an effort to seek out the views of a
variety of citizens concerning growth and development, and I plan to continue
this practice in the future.

Some people will think this statement too general, some too specific; I feel,
however, that with the increasing pressures on Colorado, we must have a growth
and development plan which has a broad consensus and which can help define
the direction of Colorado's future.
-------
GOALS AMD OBJECTIVES FOR COLORADO'S LONG-RANGE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

As we approach 100 years of statehood, Colorado is at a most crucial point in

its history. Never before have Coloradans been faced with decisions of such

magnitude as we face today, and never before have these decisions promised to

influence so dramatically the direction of Colorado's future growth and

development. Unfortunately, today these determinations must be made without

guidance from a generally accepted long-range policy framework.

If Colorado is to remain and improve as a desirable place to-live, we must

begin now to formulate a State policy on growth and development. Specifically,

Colorado will need to consider the desired long-term development of (a) its

economy; (b) its population settlement patterns; (c) its natural and manmade

environment; (d) its social environment; and (e) its governmental structure.

The following statements, which represent a resolution of widely divergent

views of what is best for Colorado, are a synthesis of a number of recent policy

studies concerning each of these five areas. (See Appendix A)

COLORADO'S ECONOMY

Colorado must continue to encourage a diverse and stable economic base tailored

to the rational and healthy long-range growth of the State. In building such a

base, we must guarantee that the quality of life in Colorado is not diminished.

The beauty of our state can be preserved while still providing jobs for young

people just entering the labor market and without jeopardizing the jobs of those

already in the work force.

(a) Colorado must attract and provide incentives for a variety of
industries which are economically and socially beneficial,
environmentally desirable, relatively insulated from adverse
external influences and possessing sound objectives for the
future. A special effort must be made to increase job security
within those industries which are particularly sensitive to
downturns in the national economy.

-1-
-------
(b) Colorado's agricultural economy must be preserved and its develop-
ment expanded. We must prevent unnecessary conversion of prime
agricultural land and irrigable water to non-reversible uses.

(c) A statewide effort is being made by state and local governments,
local Chambers of Commerce and their industrial foundations as
well as private businesses to identify and establish regional
areas desiring additional growth. Efforts also are being made to
revitalize those geographic areas which have been losing population.
We commend this effort and believe that a specific attempt must
be made to provide people in rural areas with meaningful jobs
near their homes.

(d) Colorado state government must continue to encourage national
awareness and expanded participation in Colorado's tourist and
recreation industry. This must occur while carefully striving
to avoid exploitation of our statewide natural resources.

(e) An effort must be made to encourage job generating industries
to locate in both out-state areas where growth is desirable and
inner-city areas suffering from either high unemployment or high
loss of population.

(f) Colorado is encouraging job-related training and placement
services in areas of unemployment. An intensified effort is
being made to improve job information and aid those who want to
move to growth centers where employment is or will become available.

(g) Transportation growth policy, in addition to addressing the basic
job of moving people and goods, also should address the objectives
of economic development, the use of" resources, preservation of
private and public investment, and the individual's need for
effective mobility.
POPULATION SETTLEMENT PATTERNS

Colorado state government will help local communities prepare for projected

growth while striving to redirect excessive Front Range growth patterns.

(a) A specific effort must be made to balance the distribution of
population in the state. Drawing from recommendations made in
recent legislative and executive studies, the following efforts
should be highlighted:

1) Encourage primary new economic growth, especially in areas
outside the Front Range, but also in Front Range areas where
economic growth is needed to create job opportunities for
Coloradans.

2) Seek methods to motivate growth in selected areas of the
Kastern plains and South Central Region which can benefit
from such growth. (See map detailing these regions in
Appendix B)

-2-
-------
3) Assist local governments in managing growth in the Mountain
Region in order to accommodate the preservation of natural
attractions in these areas.

4) Oversee and support the phased growth of the Northwest
Region in accordance with the area's ability to provide
necessary public services, while realizing the constraints
imposed by available water resources.

(b) Colorado must encourage and help to create settlement patterns
that best satisfy people's needs and reduce the cost of providing
public services.

(c) Particular efforts must be made to minimize urban sprawl and
encourage the revitalization of satellite cities around existing
metropolitan areas.

(d) Net in-migration to the State must be moderated.

(e) A special attempt must be made to encourage greater job oppor-
tunities for the citizens of Colorado. The introduction of new
jobs in these areas which can directly benefit from enhanced
employment and increased population levels will be a specific
objective.
NATURAL AND MANMADE ENVIRONMENT

All Coloradans must work together to assure the optimum use of the State's

natural resources and manmade environment. Our past development has always

been heavily influenced and limited by the availability of water, and recent

history indicates that the finite nature of our water and energy resources

will significantly influence Colorado's development.

Our efforts must be directed toward maximizing the individual human benefit

while assuring the proper balance between man and nature. This balance will

be increasingly tested should uncoordinated growth be allowed to continue

indefinitely.

(a) We need to promote in all of our citizens a sense of stewardship
and trusteeship of our natural resources and our environment.
Those who lessen the burden should be rewarded while those who
increase the burden should be penalized.

(b) A special effort must be made to encourage and expand the arts,
as well as to provide additional recreational facilities to meet
the needs of all Colorado citizens.

—3—
-------
(c) Through both public and private participation, areas damaged
by man's activities, such as strip mining, can and must be
restored and reclaimed.

(d) A similar effort must be made to restore and upgrade the
deteriorating areas of our cities.

(e) A specific effort must be made to protect, preserve, enhance,
and manage Colorado's wildlife for the benefit and enjoyment
of the people of Colorado, as well as its visitors. Manage-
ment of game and fishing resources will receive particular
attention in the short term.

(f) Through public and private incentives, Colorado state govern-
ment must lead the effort to maximize the recycling of all
reusable resources.

(g) Colorado state government must encourage the expanded utilization
by local governments of all available planning tools and, where
necessary, provide additional mechanisms to insure the conserva-
tion of fragile, scenic, and open, space areas. Decisions, once
made, must not give way to stubborn opposition or protracted
litigation by self-serving interest groups.

(h) Colorado must develop a state water management system which
provides an adequate supply of quality water, and which recognizes
the social and economic impact of distribution and use.

(i) It is the policy of the state to encourage and assist the housing
industry in its efforts to upgrade existing housing, redevelop
deteriorated areas, and furnish an adequate supply of new housing.

(j) In order to slow down the proliferation of cars and reduce the
damage that automobile pollution does to the environment, an
integrated transportation system must be provided both within
and between cities of Colorado. This system also should be
mutually compatible with Colorado's regional neighbors.

(k) Realizing that the energy resources of Colorado are of national
concern, we must seek to aid the needs of the nation without
irreversibly degrading the State's environment or water resources.
Alternative energy sources — solar, geothermal, and wind —
merit special developmental efforts.

(1) Colorado state government will discourage and prevent construc-
tion of energy conversion plants in the State of Colorado
which would result in the blatant exploitation of Colorado's
resources by out-of-state interests.

SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT

Uncontrolled and unplanned growth places great strains on the social environment,

All Coloradans desire to preserve our historical and cultural heritage while
-4-
-------
maintaining and enhancing the principle of individual choice. The State

must be ready to respond to problems induced by growth or stagnation in

such areas as education, crime, welfare, and physical and mental health.

We live in a civilization of shared values, based on a family and community-

oriented society. Government efforts should be designed to strengthen

the family as a social unit, and encourage a sense of community in all of

our people.

(a) Services must be made available to help Colorado citizens
adapt to the demands of modern living and assure everyone
the minimum necessities of life and equal opportunities for
self-fulfillment.

(b) Colorado state government has endeavored to provide an
educational system that meets the needs for intellectual
development and career preparation, career maintenance,
and career change. Colorado must continue to support and
emphasize the importance of an educated citizenry and a
productive, well-trained work force.

(c) The quality of physical and mental health services can be
improved within all parts of our state. Diagnostic communi-
cation services with centralized health facilities should
receive particular emphasis in the short term.

(d) The quality of protection provided for both property and lives
of Colorado citizens must be improved. Colorado's correctional
system has received and will continue to receive close scrutiny
in the immediate future.

GOVERNMENTAL STRUCTURE

We must make a reality of the phrase "government of the people, by the

people, and for the people." Government must become a conciliator,

arbitrator and coordinator. We must explore more the ways to get govern-

ment out of our lives in order to increase the freedom of choice of the

individual. Public employment must be recognized as an honorable and

worthy business and profession. We must exact of our government employees

the highest standards of ethics, honesty, and integrity.
-5-
-------
(a) State government should be decentralized and reorganized
wherever possible to improve state services and help divert
growth outside the immediate Front Range area.

(b) Specific efforts must be made to influence federal, regional,
and local governmental agencies to be responsive to the
State's long-range development policies.

(c) Public and private investments must be sought and encouraged
for water projects, utilities, transportation, and other
major projects directly tied to the implementation of Colorado's
long-range development plan.
January 7, 1976
-6-
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APPENDIX A

HISTORICAL SUPPORT INFORMATION

The attached comments are drawn from the following policy statements

and proposed legislative items:
1. COLORADO; OPTIONS FOR THE FUTURE (Final report of the Colorado
Environmental Commission) March 1972.
2. DESIGNING FOR GROWTH (Report of the Committee on Balanced
Population of the Forty-eighth General Assembly) November 1972.

3. Bill proposing a "COLORADO STATE POLICIES ACT" (S.B. 377) 1973.
4. A LAND USE PROGRAM FOR COLORADO (Report of the Colorado Land
Use Commission) January 1974.
5. THE REPORT OF THE COLORADO RURAL DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION December 1973.

6. Bill proposing "REGIONAL PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT ACT" (S.B. 244) 1973.

7. Amendments to the "COLORADO LAND USE ACT" (H.B. 1041)1974
-7-
-------
THESE ARE THE REGIONS MENTIONED ON PAGE 2, SUBPARAGRHPH (a—2)
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-------
PLAN POLICIES

AS ADOPTED BY THE
DENVER REGIONAL COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS
JANUARY 17, 1973
AMENDED JUNE, 1974

1. A population level below 2,350,000 should be encouraged for the
Denver Metropolitan Statistical Area by the year 2000. In all
planning activities conducted by the Denver Regional Council of
Governments, a year 2000 forecast of 2,350,000 people for the
five county Denver Metropolitan Area will be used.

2. The Central Business District of Denver will be encouraged as the
major high density core of business, cultural, governmental, com-
mercial and residential activity. Major high density corridors
esse, west and south from the CBD shall be encouraged.

3. Several major activity centers shall be encouraged in the
Metropolitan Area.

4. New, low density, residential growth should be encouraged only in
locations contiguous to existing urban areas while recognizing
local ecological, environmental or social concerns as they might
affect the location of a specific development.

5. New industrial development should be encouraged only insofar as
suitable locations could be found where environmental hazard potential
can be effectively controlled or minimized. Major new employment
concentrations of any type should be closely analyzed as to their
total regional and state iirpact, which analysis should carefully
consider the adverse costs, such as peak hour travel, work trips, and
public service costs.

6. Major unique urban areas presently within the Denver SMSA will be
encouraged to remain unique; that is, not to ultimately be allowed
to expand and run together into nondescript, lew density urban sprawl.

7. Major areas of ecological, environmental, agricultural, historic and
archeological significance shall remain in a natural open or low
density non-urban condition.

8. The Regional Housing Plan directed at the provision of a decent home for
every family, and in particular, the lev and moderate income groups, shall
be an integral component of all Denver Regional Council of Governments
Land Use planning activities and particulary in relation to transportation,
employment opportunities, and social services.
-------
PLAN POLICIES
The preliminary Land Development Plan consists primarily of a scries of policy
statements and a map representing those policies. The critical issues, however,
revolve around the policy statements. The statements listed below arc the
latest version of an evolving series of statements originally postulated
several months ago.

To review—we have defined Plan Policy to mean a concise statement of policies
relating to the influencing of the future growth and livability of the region,
in nays felt to be in the public interest.

The recommended preliminary plan consists of a series of seven explicit plan
policies. The policies are, as earlier mentioned, designed as the explicit
parameters upon which future decisions can be based. Those policies are:

I.- A population level belou 2,350,000 should be encouraged for the
Denver Metropolitan Statistical Area by the year 2000.

The Denver Metropolitan Area has been growing very rapidly over the last
decade. Present estimates show the likely adjusted growth rate for the
entire SMSA for 1972 to be near S°i>. That -compares with a 1960-1970 simple
annual average growth of about 3%. That magnitude of growth is beginning
to clearly strain many local utility and public facility systems. Planning
often becomes almost impossible when all energies are devoted to merely
"keeping up" with daily increasing demands. Traditional forecasting
techniques show a population of over 2.35 million people by the year 2000
for the SMSA. It is felt that a more effective utilization of-resources
would result from a lower population level.

Implications of lower population leve^;

1) Major new governmental mechanisms and incentives must be developed
by the State to distribute the expected growth to other areas of
Colorado. DRCOG and its member agencies shall promote implementation
of such mechanisms.

2) High levels of effort to encourage new employers to locate in the
metropolitan area should be discouraged.

3) State policy must be formulated concerning the distribution of
growth throughout the state.

4) Many Open Space and Conservation Areas presently under extreme
development pressure must be preserved.
5) The overall framework of recommended regional growth is more likely
to be attained under a lower population level and pressure.

6) Major new federal and state investment in employment related
facilities should be closely examined.
7) Plans for additional support facilities such as water, should be
proposed in order to implement this policy.
-------
2. The Central Business District of Denver will be encouraged as the major
high density core of business, cultural, govcrrjnental t cotnmorcial and
residential activity. Major high density corridors east, west and south
from the CBD shall be encouraged.

Throughout the initial studies of the Joint Regional Planning Program,
particularly the cultural synthesis study, it has been a policy that the
amenities and unique characteristics of the Denver Central Business District
would be maintained and reinforced. The CBD currently contains many func-
tions unique to the SMSA area. Large scale commercial and business activity
is one obvious asset. The Capitol of the State of Colorado exists in the
CBD as does a major concentration of state and federal employment. Large
scale recreational and cultural facilities also exist along with major
accomodations for out of town visitors. Although other large activity
centers throughout the region will begin to absorb some of the commercial
and business activity originally only associated with the CBD, the CBD will
remain-as a center of many unique activities.

Two major high density corridors will be encouraged in central Denver. The
corridors will be reinforced by provision of a fixed guidcway public trans-
portation system. Because of the high density and major activity centers
located along the corridors, it is felt that the transit system will pro-
vide a major alternative to the automobile. A new exciting life style
will be created for those individuals of the region who prefer a higher
density living arrangement and its constant generation of activity. The
intensification of existing areas will also help in the slowing down of
major new residential development on the fringe areas of the region.

3. Several major activity centers shall be encouraged in the Metropolitan
Area.

One major conclusion of the initial JRPP studies dealt with the recommenda-
tion of a series of major activity centers for the region. These areas
were recommended for various reasons:

... They would become the major structural nodes of the urban form.

... They would allow the creation of centers of a large enough scale
to generate a wide range of urban services and activities.

... They would encourage internal travel for those individuals who
preferred to live and work in close proximity, hence, relieving
regional travel demand.

... They would minimize dispersed suburban development by directing
growth into centers.

They would generate a choice of life styles for those individuals
who prefer such a way of life.

... They would create high intensity centers worthy of a high level
of public transportation.
-2-
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... They would create centers where alternative internal transpor-
tation systems may be viable.
Those centers currently recommended are:

Center
General Location
Boulder

Northglenn

Arvada

Federal Center

Villa

Alameda

Denver CBD

Medical Center

Cherry Creek

South Colorado

Englewood

Technological Center
University of Colorado/Crossroads Shopping
Area/CBD

Northglenn Shopping Area/Western Electric
Front Range Denver Area

Old CBD/Tri-Center Area

Federal Center/Community College/Westland
Areas

Villa Italia Vicinity

Alameda/I-225 Area

CBD/Auraria/Skyline

CU Medical Center/Colorado-Colfax Area

General Cherry Creek Shopping and Residential
Area

General Colorado Boulevard/I-25 Area/DU/
University Hills

Englewood CBD/Cinderella City Shopping Center

General Area of Denver Technological Center/
Greenwood Plaza
4. Nea, low density, residential growth should be encouraged only
in locations contiguous to existing urban areas uhile yp.Qognizi.ng
local ecological, environmental or social concerns as they might
affect the location of a specific development.
Many of the studies conducted by the Joint Regional Planning Program
taken as a whole, suggest that new development should essentially be
discouraged from a northeasterly direction. Much of the region's major
air pollution is found in the Plattc Valley to the north of the Region.
Major amounts of the best agricultural soil in the Region also exist
in the Northeast sector of the Region. Major flood plains and aquifer
recharge areas also exist in that area.
-3-
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Major development is also to be discouraged in the direct westerly
direction from the Metropolitan Area. Areas of extremely high winds
exist along the foothilJs areas, as well as slope conditions not
propitious for large scale residential development. Water, sewer,
and other community services arc hard if not impossible to provide.
The foothills and major mountain areas of Colorado exist as one of
the most beautiful amenities in the Region. They should be kept in
a natural state.

Development should remain contiguous with existing urban areas to
minimize disjointed and scattered public facility costs and develop-
ment. Haphazard development in areas several miles from the fringe
of existing urbanization although initially cheaper for the developer
and buyers, ultimately must be provided with urban facilities and
amenities that cost more to provide over a large area. That cost
is ultimately absorbed by public funds.

Development in a non-contiguous and haphazard manner makes the
provision of public transportation facilities difficult and costly,
adding to the number and length of auto trips from those areas. The
lengthening of these trips causes increased levels of air pollution
as well as increased investment in public roads.

5. New industrial development should be encouraged only insofar as suitable
locations could be found where environmental hazard potential can be
effectively controlled or minimized. Major new employment concentration
of any type should be closely analyzed as to their total regional and
state impact, which analysis should carefully consider the adverse costs*
such as peak hour travel, work trips, and public service costs.

New industrial development should be discouraged from locating in the
Platte Valley. Some of the Region's worst air pollution is funneled
through that area. New polluting sources will'not help attempts to
ameliorate that pollution. Much of the Valley is located in the
standard project flood area of the Region. To avert potential loss
of property and life, those areas prone to flooding should be pro-
tected from development.

Besides pollution considerations, many areas of the'region are
environmentally sensitive to large scale industrialization. Indus-
tries and employment centers requiring large amounts of natural
resources, i.e., air, water, should be closely examined as to their
total effects. Industries with large traffic generation, i.e.,
warehousing, goods movement, should be examined as to their effects
on the surrounding area. Major new employment concentrations,
because of their effect on regional growth and development, should
be closely examined.
-4-
-------
ff. Major unique urban areas presently within the Denver SMSA will be
encouraged to remain unique; that is, not to ultimately be allowed
to expand and run together into a nondescriptt low density urban
epraul.

In order to retain major community identification, and the unique
character of many smaller communities within the region, a specific
policy for retaining these distinct communities- is being recommended.
This policy will take the form of discouraging sprawl interstitial
development which, in effect, will begin to fill in the landscape
between such communities. This policy often will take the form of
opposing annexations carried out by individual communities. It may
also take the form of discouraging the extension of urban services
to more rural areas.

7. Major areas of ecological, environmental, agricultural, historic and
archeological significance shall remain in a natural open or low
density non-urban condition.

Major areas of the region under various levels of criteria should
remain in an open state. For our purposes, we will define these
areas as:

- Climate Hazard Areas
- Unsuitable Soil Areas
- Aquifer Recharge Areas
- Drainageways
- Excessive Slope
- Fault Zones
- Forrested Areas
- Areas Between Distinct Urban Entities
- Historically Rich Areas
- Archeologically Significant Areas
- Prime Agricultural Land

Many of these areas have already been markedly violated in terms of
development. This policy suggests that no new development should be
encouraged in these areas.
rae
12/18/72
-5-
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APPENDIX B
GROWTH-INDUCED IMPACTS ON THE REGION'S
ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE AREAS
-------
Table of Contents
Appendix B. Growth-Induced Impacts on the Region's Page
Environmentally Sensitive Areas
Climate B-l
Geology B-2
Soils B-3
Hydrology B-4
Biology B-5
Energy B-8
Historical Features B-8
Aesthetics B-9
Outdoor Recreation Sites B-10
Land Waste Treatment Sites B-ll
Traffic B-lll
-------
APPENDIX B
GROWTH-INDUCED IMPACTS ON THE REGION'S
ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE AREAS
Wastewater collection and treatment is one of several basic ser-
vices local government provides to serve the needs of its citizens.
Planning to accommodate a future population and its need for wastewater
treatment and disposal is a prudent and responsible function exercised
by local governments. Construction and operation of these facilities in
accordance with plans to accommodate future growth must be considered
a contributing factor to the environmental consequences of future growth.
The same is true for other services such as highways, schools, and water
supply. On a regional basis, it is rare that the provision or lack of
a single "municipal" service stimulates or constrains regional growth,
and can be considered the dominant factor in growth-related environmental
impacts. It can, however, influence development patterns. The purpose
of this section is to assess the impacts of changes expected to occur in
the region as a result of the population increases and resultant develop-
ment patterns projected for the year 2000.
CLIMATE
Construction activities to accommodate further urban expansion
within the region will be a factor in the severity of Chinook wind epi-
sodes. Ground surfaces disturbed by construction provide particulates
that can be carried downwind into developed areas. The local severity of
particulate-laden Chinooks depends on such factors as the area of dis-
turbed ground surface, soil characteristics, wind velocity and turbu-
lances and downwind land uses. The significance of this impact ranges
from that of a nuisance to that of a hazard to traffic, equipment, struc-
tures and crops. This will be a long-term, seasonal impact occurring at
many sites scattered throughout the region's urban expansion areas.
B-l
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Further commercial and industrial development is expected in the high
wind corridors of the South Platte River and Clear Creek Valleys. Thus,
the overall potential for wind damage will be increased in these valley
areas. The significance of individual problem sites is not great on a
regional scale. However, the cumulative effects of many sites over a
long period of time presents a moderately important class of impacts
which warrants consideration in the region's land-use decision-making
processes.
Early morning traffic problems created by radiation fog will inten-
sify in significance as traffic volumes continue to respond to suburban
growth. The problems will likely range from simple traffic slow-downs
to chain-reaction accidents involving property damage, injury and poten-
tial loss of life.

GEOLOGY
Grading of undulating natural landscapes for urban expansion can
drastically modify landforms, change drainage patterns and alter visual
appearances. The extent and quality of landscape changes will be deter-
mined at the scales of individual and cumulative development sites. The
changes will involve such factors as the extent natural conditions, the
types and sizes of projects, and the manner in which the projects are
designed to fit into the landscape. The grading impacts of projects in
an area can be significant on a local or sub-regional level where massive
cuts and fills are made for roadbuilding and hillside terracing, and in
floodplains where protective devices such as channelization, diversions
and in-stream structures are constructed. From a regional perspective,
these large-scale activities are likely to have cumulative impacts on
water quality as discussed under "Soils" which follows. Visually, how-
ever, gross landform characteristics on the regional level will not be
radically altered.
Urban development such as that which has occurred near White Rocks
in the Boulder area will occur near other unique and significant geologic
structures and formations. Development in close proximity to many of
B-2
-------
these structures and formations will pose damage potentials of varying
significance through over-use and vandalism.
The region's geologic hazards to development are generally local in
nature and do not pose any region-wide threats to urban expansion. How-
ever, the bentonitic clays, landslide areas, and, to a much lesser extent,
faulting and its potential seismic activity can affect individual pro-
jects. Assessments of potential, project-specific impacts are usually
left to local jurisdictions, project proponents and the interested pub-
lic where they are mitigated within the framework of local regulations.
No efforts have been made in this study to evaluate the effectiveness of
the region's local geologic safety regulations.

SOILS
The regional significance of particulate wind transport during
Chinook events was discussed under "Climate." Another consideration of
wind erosion is that of the current drought and its effects on present
and future agricultural productivity. Current reports are that many
farmers on the Colorado Plains are turning under their winter wheat crops
(Reference ). The exposed soil, lack of rain and high winds are con-
tributing to severe dust storms which are causing significant damages to
structures and equipment, and losses of valuable top soil. The short-
term effects of the crop and capital investment losses, and the long-term
effects of the crop and capital investment losses, and the long-term ef-
fects erosion-related production potential losses on the region's economy
have yet to be assessed. Implications of a continuing drought on region-
al land use trends was discussed earlier in this section under "Conver-
sion of Agricultural Land in the Denver Region".
In terms of soil loss, water erosion is usually a more significant
regional impact of urban expansion than wind erosion. Construction sites
left exposed to precipitation and run-off experience sheet erosion, rill-
ing and, at times, gullying depending on the type and rate of precipita-
tion, the area of exposed soils, soils characteristics, and topography.
Soils transported from construction sites via run-off can clog drainage
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improvements; contribute to streambank scouring, turbidity, siltation and
sedimentation in the drainage net; increase receiving water temperature;
and reduce chemical and biologic water quality. These impacts can be
significant well beyond the general vicinity of the construction site
and its drainage basin by contributing to cumulative water quality prob-
lems created by suspended, deposited and dissolved materials from the
region's other point and nonpoint water pollution sources.

HYDROLOGY
Urban expansion can impact sensitive hydrologic features including
wetlands/marshes, floodplains, groundwater, and lakes in three main ways.
These include: (1) encroachment into or elimination of the feature, (2)
change in the amount and distribution of water flowing to or through the
feature, and (3) change in the quality of water flowing to or through the
feature.
Construction of buildings, roads and bridges together with regrad-
ing for development can result in encroachment into or elimination of
wetlands/marshes, lakes and natural floodplains. The proximity of de-
velopment can affect both the flora and fauna of the hydrologic element.
Development can alter the extent of the flood hazard area limits through
alteration of the conveyance capacity of the natural watercourse. Un-
wise occupation of the floodplain can seriously increase the potential
for flood damage.
Development can cause an increase in the base flow of water reach-
ing wetlands/marshes, lakes and floodplains, and the flora and fauna
may be affected. Lawn irrigation return flow, interception of the ground-
water by storm and sanitary sewer systems, and leaky water distribution
systems may be responsible for the increased flow. Development may cause
a decline in the recharge to the groundwater table through occupation of
a recharge area such as that in the southwest portion of the region through
decreasing infiltration because of impervious cover, and through elimina-
tion of agricultural irrigation in the area. Development tends to in-
crease the peak rate, volume and frequency of flooding both within and
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without the floodplain. The extent of increase tends to be larger for
the more frequent floods than for rarer ones. These changes can cause
greater erosion within steep floodplains and may affect the vegetation
that can be maintained.
Development is likely to produce a decline in water quality reaching
the hydrologic features. This can result from automobile wastes, fer-
tilizers, pesticides, sewage, and sediment. Poor water quality greatly
speeds up the natural entrophication process of lakes, and can affect the
flora and fauna of lakes, wetlands/marshes and floodplains.
The various hydrologic features can also affect development. Any
floodplain development can be unwise, particularly along those stretches
of the upper portion of Bear Creek, Clear Creek and the upper portion of
the South Platte River which experience periodic flashflooding. The aes-
thetic quality of lakes may provide the interesting focal points around
which developments are planned. A reliable groundwater supply may be one
consideration in the feasibility of particular developments. Wetlands/
marshes within the study area are generally not viewed as assets, but may
affect development through creation of the need for drainage projects to
dry them up.

BIOLOGY
Stream Channelization
Conversion of rural lands to urban uses typically requires flood
control measures for local watercourses. Physical structuring such as
channelization is one of the most common measures. Watercourse straight-
ening and the resulting new streambeds reduce habitat diversity. Re-
moval of riparian vegetation, paving of stream banks and colonization by
weeds also severely reduce habitat.
Upstream Conversions of Land to Urban Uses
Removal of groundcover, grading and construction in watershed areas
will lead to a short-term degradation of the aquatic environment. As
discussed under "Soils" earlier in this section, erosion from disturbed
construction sites leads to siltation, increased suspended solids, tur-
bidity and warming effects upon streams. Aquatic habitats are affected
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when a channel*s biologically diverse rough bottom surface is filled in
and covered with silt, the silt eliminates the physical niches necessary
to benthic organisms, thus eliminating the organisms themselves. The
fish and other higher animals which feed on the organisms are then re-
duced in numbers or eliminated from the affected area. Upstream de-
velopments are of particular significance within the basins of Sand
Creek and Clear Creek.
Industrial Activities near the Aquatic Environment
Extensive gravel resources are found along many of the major water-
courses. Aggregates are the major type of resource consumed in con-
struction activities and as such, the demand for them will continue at
rates reflecting the rate of utfeart expansion. Continuing and future
aggregate mining is likely to entail channel disturbances and modifica-
tions, streamside vegetation removal and discharges of wash water from
gravel processing operations. The potential for impacts on the aquatic
and riparian environment varies in proportion to the extent of disturb-
ances and the type of industrial process.
Disruption of Riparian Corridors and Aquatic Habitat
Riparian vegetation zones are valuable transitional areas between
aquatic and terrestrial environments. They also serve as movement cor-
ridors and cover while supplying food for wildlife. Construction and
development across riparian zones severs the continuity of this habitat
thereby disrupting wildlife movements. Development around pond and
marsh areas often disturbs the local habitat quality. Physical dis-
turbances also affect the local environmental quality and carrying ca-
pacity.
Disturbance of Forest and Brushland Areas
Development in foothill areas typically consists of tree-cutting,
clearing, road construction md other activities disruptive to natural
conditions. The opening of rural and wild lands for residential and in-
creased recreational uses creates pressures on wildlife and their habi-
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clearing, road cutting and other activities disruptive to natural con-
ditions. The opening of rural and wild lands for residential and in-
creased recreational uses creates pressures on wildlife and their habi-
tats. Development along the foothill and mesa areas may infringe upon
critical wintering areas typically used by deer and elk. Some curtail-
ment of deer and elk feeding range may occur in the eastern boundary
near Cherry Creek Reservoir and to the west in Douglas County. Animal
and bird migrations through the lower foothill area may also be dis-
turbed .
Development near Unique Habitat Areas
As indicated on Map F > several areas have been recognized as eco-
logically significant due to unique geologic formations, soil types,
plant and animal communities and other factors. Development and recrea-
tion pressures on these areas may not only degrade the habitats or af-
fect the surrounding environments, but which also cumulatively reduces
the overall environmental quality of the region. Areas of particular
concern due to urban expansion as noted by comparisons of the Projected
Land Use By the Year 200 Map (Map I) against the Biologically Sensitive
Areas Map (Map F) are: (1) the Nature Conservancy in northwest Denver,
(2) the Ken Caryl-Johns Manville Ranch, (3) the Marshall Mesa and (4)
the White Rocks area near Boulder.
Increased Fire Hazard
Fire hazards are most critical on slopes where a fire can spread
twice as fast on a slope of 30 percent as on level ground. Gullies and
canyons associated with steep slopes present a severe fire hazard during
dry weather due to the combined funneling and updraft effects. Human
activities greatly increase the wildfire potential. Building on steep
slopes, residual slash or felled timber, logging debris and other in-
flammable litter increase this potential in areas where the existing
wildfire hazard is high. Careless or accidental ignition by tourists,
residents and faulty equipment may cause a great deal of damage to vege-
tation and destroy wildlife habitat. In some cases, road construction
and maintenance may increase fire hazard as much as new housing on steep
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slopes. There is a tendency for access routes to homes to be more of a
problem than housing itself. Roadcuts frequently induce landsliding
and drainage problems. In addition, during wildfire conditions, narrow
and winding roads may actually hinder the movement and efficiency of fire-
fighting equipment.

ENERGY
The 1975 population of the Denver Region constituted about 57 per-
cent of the population of the State of Colorado. By 1985 it will con-
stitute perhaps 60 percent, and by 2000 about 54 percent of the state
population. The Denver region's share of statewide energy consumption is
estimated to be on the order of 64-68 percent at the present time.
natural gas shortfalls amounting to 15-20 percent within five years are
expected to begin in the Denver region during 1978-79. The demand for
Natural gas by the Denver region may adversely affect the rural areas
of Colorado as rural areas are dependent on liquid propane which is manu-
factured from natural gas. There will be an increased reliance on and
demand for electric power. After 1980, if scheduled power plants are
delayed significantly, some brown-outs or load reduction and shedding
will occur. The increased demand for electrical power will probably
be met with coal-fired power plants which will necessarily increase
Colorado's coal production. Consequently, beginning in the 1980's, con-
flicts will arise between municipal and agricultural water users in the
Denver region, and energy industries over available water supplies.
Adverse air and water quality impacts are also likely.

Regional demand for petroleum-based fuels will increase with in-
creased population. This increased demand will be limited to some degree
by increased vehicle fuel economy and higher fuel prices. Although
there will still be a net increase in consumption, petroleum-based fuels
will be a smaller part of overall basic fuel use.

HISTORICAL FEATURES
Denver is an old frontier city which contains many points of his-
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torical interest. So far, only the outstanding examples of period
architecture and historical sites have been officially designated his-
torical landmarks. However, there are still many old structures that
merit recognition and preservation. Individuals and businesses are be-
coming increasingly active in converting and restoring historic struc-
tures for use as homes and places of business. Population and economic
growth will further accelerate the demand for historically valuable
structures. Conversion and restoration activities have the potential
to benefically as well as detrimentally alter the characters of his-
torically valuable neighborhoods and districts. Character alteration
also results from the introduction of contemporary structures and uses.
Both public and private redevelopment activities in old areas can alter
the significance of landmark buildings which provide focal points and
help give the areas their unique identities. If the area around a land-
mark building is redeveloped with contemporary structures and uses, the
significance of the landmark changes from that of a focal point of an
historic district to that of a museum relic isolated from its historic
context. This impact has already occurred around such structures as the
State Capitol Building in Denver. Once the dominant feature in old
Denver, it is now obscured from view in the surrounding area by uncom-
plimentary concrete and glass, multi-stored architecture. Increasing
air pollution will contribute to the already high costs of restoration
and maintenance of old structures.

AESTHETICS
Growth in the Denver region could lead to a degeneration of many
qualitites which have created Denver's attractiveness and desirability.
Some of the ways these qualities may be adversely affected by population
growth and urban expansion include:
(1) Potential degradation of wetlands and other natural areas due
to population pressure to develop new recreation areas;
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(2) Disappearance of sensitive wildlife with subsequent replaces
ment by species tolerant to humans, some of which may become
nuisances;
(3) Conversion of natural, open space environments to urban sys-
tems at a rapid rate which may be based on short-term consid-
erations ;
(4) Development near surface waters which may limit public access;
(5) Loss of public viewing vantage points to road layouts, devel-
opments and artificial landscaping;
(6) Poor road layouts hindering public access to scenic areas;
(7) Existing and new roadways, viaducts and bridges divide Denver
into many indistinguishable parts thereby diminishing resi-
dent's orientation of their region;
(8) Concentration of vehicular traffic along a few transportation
corridors creating zones of degenerated air quality and in-
creased ambient noise levels;
(9) Increased urban sprawl necessitating longer travel distances
for daily activities;
(10) Conflicting interpretation of the public interest, e.g. provi-
sion of municipal services, increases in the tax base, un-
limited military use etc. versus open space, recreation oppor-
tunities and wildlife habitats etc. having effects on the aes-
thetic quality of the region; and
(11) Urban sprawl leading to inefficient resource and services
allocations which in turn contributes to a consumptive life
style.

OUTDOOR RECREATION SITES
Regional growth will require the development of lands already ac-
quired by park and recreation agencies and will likely require the ac-
quisition and development of even more recreation land before the year
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2000. If the growing needs of the populace are not met with more facil-
ities, existing facilities are likely to be overused and damaged. The
visual effects and recreational opportunities of numerous, well-located
and easily accessible recreation areas can well enhance the social qual-
ity of life in the urban expansion areas. Park facility vandalism will
likely continue throughout the region in those areas having a high per-
centage of children and young people. This will be especially true in
new suburban areas where there is a general predominance of young famil-
ies. As these suburban areas age, the populations should begin to ma-
ture and the incidences of vandalism should corollatively decrease.

LAND WASTE TREATMENT SITES
Until a decision is made on the West Adams County sludge disposal
site, the Lowry Bombing Range sludge disposal activities will continue
and existing problems could worsen due to the high sludge application
rates. However, the anaerobic digesters now under construction will
reduce sludge volumes by a maximum of 50 percent which can significantly
reduce the short-term possibility of a worsening situation. If the Uest
Adams County site is not approved due to some unforeseen environmental
or legal problems, some new disposal scheme for the Lowry site might be
adopted which could continue the present controversy. This controversy
has resulted from a basic conflict between the established disposal use
and the adjacent and growing residential uses.

TRAFFIC
Continued dependence on the automobile as the primary mode of
transportation is inevitable in the near future while relatively afford-
able supplies of petroleum fuels are available. The impacts related to
automobile dependence such as low density or sprawl development, conges-
tion and high noise levels in the central business district (CBD) and
smog throughout the region will continue to worsen. The commute hour
overload situation will also continue and, in some areas such as the CBD
and suburbs near the CBD, it will worsen. New highway construction will
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temporarily alleviate traffic problems by eliminating some traffic
flow constraints and providing new thoroughfares. These actions
will increase the region's total traffic volume capacity which
will enable it to accommodate further suburban growth in patterns
and of densities similar to those presently existing. Further
suburban growth of this type will absorb the new traffic capacity
in a relatively short period of time and a new traffic remedy will
be required. The Federal Urban Mass Transit Administration's denial
of funds for a regional transit system eliminates the possibility
of a fixed rail system for the time being. This will necessitate
the use of the Regional Transit District's bus fleet in any attempts
to provide the region with a mode of transportation to that can
compete with the automobile.
Such things as carpooling and vanpooling will reduce the number
of cars on the road by increasing the average number of people being
carried in each vehicle. The Regional Transit District has a bus
system which provides a good alternative to travel by automobile
only. A fixed guideway type of facility has been studied in an alter-
natives analysis and has been shown to be no more efficient in at-
tracting people from their autos than a comprehensive Regional Trans-
portation System comprised totally of buses.
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APPENDIX C
CLEAN WATER PLAN
-------
Clean
Water
Plan
WWW
Denver Regional
Council Of Governments
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CLEAN WATER PLAN
DENVER REGIONAL COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS

CLEAN WATER PROGRAM
APRIL 1977
The preparation of this document was financed by an areawide water
quality management planning grant from the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency.
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CONTENTS

Section Page

1 INTRODUCTION 1-1

II WASTEUATER TREATMENT FACILITIES 2-1

FACILITIES PLANNING 2-1
Phase 1—Current Condition 2-2
Phase 2—Assess Future Conditions 2-2
Phase 3—Effluent Requirements 2-5
Phase 4—Develop and Evaluate Alternatives ...... 2-6
Phase 5—Select Plan 2-6
Phase 6—Design of Treatment Works 2-6
Phase 7—Arrangements for Implementation 2-6
POPULATION AND LAND USE 2-7
TREATMENT LEVELS 2-9
INDUSTRIAL DISCHARGERS 2-22

III NOHPOINT SOURCE POLLUTION 3-1

GENERAL , 3-1
WATER QUALITY MODEL 3-1
POINT AND NONPOINT SOURCE COMPARISON 3-2
NONPOINT SOURCE CONTROLS 3-2
Urban Areas 3~2
Developed Areas 3-3
Developing Areas 3-4
INDIVIDUAL WASTE DISPOSAL SYSTEMS 3-6
AGRICULTURE 3-6

IV INSTITUTIONAL SYSTEM 4-1

BACKGROUND 4-1
INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS 4-2
Management Agencies 4-8
Areawide Planning Agency 4-2
Nonpoint Sources 4-9
Regulatory Agencies 4-9
The 208 Planning Process 4-10
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SECTION I

INTRODUCTION
The passage of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of
1972, Public Law 92-500, represented a major step by the nation to in-
sure future generations of the highest level of water quality possible.
Prior to this time the federal government had neither mandated strict
enforcement of water quality standards nor provided the large amount
of construction funds needed to overcome years of abuse of the nation's
streams and waterways. Public Law 92-500 provided a mechanism for plan-
ning, design, and construction of treatment facilities, as well as regu-
latory measures for control of point source pollution through the
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES).

The Act identifies a number of planning programs which should be initia-
ted at various levels of government to begin the process of water quality
improvement. In order to maximize efficient utilization of resources,
Section 208 of the Act established an areawide approach to planning for
the abatement of pollution. Section 208 provides that a local plan
based upon a comprehensive and integrated approach to water pollution
abatement be designed which insures that the goals of the Act are
achieved within the framework of local needs and requirements.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is charged with the implemen-
tation of the federal program. In turn, PL 92-500 requires that the
Governor's Office assume the responsibility of certifying areawide 208
plans throughout the state. Upon approval by the Governor, the plans
will be forwarded to the EPA which is the major funding source for water
quality management programs.

The Clean Water Plan presents the areawide water quality management plan
selected for the Denver metropolitan region. Once officially adopted by
DRCOG and accepted by the state and EPA, it will form the basis for fu-
ture wastewater facilities with respeci. to sizing, staging, location, and
treatment levels. In addition, the institutional management regarding
management and planning for wastewater facilities will be determined.
It is the intent of this document to present the recommended plan in
a manner which can easily be understood by all persons or agencies
concerned with water quality.

The Clean Water Plan for the Denver metropolitan area is the result of
cooperative efforts involving citizens' groups; wastewater treatment
management personnel; professional consultants; federal, state, and
local governmental agencies; and the Water Quality Management Task
Force. The Task Force, comprised of citizens with varied interests
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1-2

and points of view, was formed by DRCOG to oversee the progress of the
program, select consultants, and review and approve major plan recom-
mendations. Plan alternatives and the recommendations considered by
all of these agencies and groups are presented in the DRCOG Clean Water
Program Technical Report Draft of March 1977.

The Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG), because of its
regional perspective in the history of water quality planning for the
area, was designated the "Areawide Waste Treatment Management Planning
Agency" by Governor John Vanderhoof in July 1974 for the five-county
Denver metropolitan area. This designation insured that a comprehen-
sive water quality study addressing each of the various water pollution
sources and its impact on water quality would be conducted for the entire
region.

Beginning in March 1975, DRCOG began putting together the 208 planning
process needed to meet the requirements of PL 92-500. The 208 Clean
Water Program had a two year completion requirement from the time the
planning process was formally'initiated. For the Denver area program,
this date was identified as July 1975 for initiation. The two-year
program was funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency at a
funding level of $1.29 million.

PL 92-500 sets forth the following specific water quality goals for the
nation: (1) "It is a National goal that wherever attainable, an interim
goal of water quality which provides for the protection and propagation
of fish, shellfish, and wildlife, and provides for recreation in and on
the wacer be achieved by July 1, 1983," and (2) "The National goal that
the discharge of pollutants into navigable waters be eliminated by 1985."

The DRCOG 208 Clean Water Program evaluates these goals and their attain-
ability in the Denver area with respect to financial, environmental,
social, and economic impacts. The Program addresses these goals as well
as the existing and potential uses of clean water in trying to determine
what is desirable and attainable in the region.
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SECTION II

WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITIES
FACILITIES PLANNING
Section IV presents a general discussion of the process under which
management and planning agencies operate to accomplish 208 water
quality planning. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requires
that 201 studies conducted by management agencies and 208 studies
conducted by planning agencies be coordinated and consistent. It is
within the 201 facility planning studies and not the 208 areawide
planning process that site specific issues dealing with implementation
are addressed.

In the metropolitan Denver area there are 13 ongoing 201 facility
planning studies. These studies are extremely important as they
will provide the basis for determining the final sizing and staging
of municipal wastewater treatment and interceptor facilities. DRCOG
has developed guidelines to ensure facility planning consistency with
the areawide Clean Water Plan. Consistency between the two plans
should be established as early as possible in the 201 process. This
consistency would normally take place when basic planning elements
such as population, land use, facility requirements, and alternative
treatment strategies are being outlined for the 201 study.

Most facility planning, design, and construction takes place through
a seven-phase process. Although within certain facility planning
efforts some phases are more important than others, each of the follow-
ing phases must be incorporated into the 201 process:

1. Assess current conditions.
2. Assess future conditions.
3. Develop effluent requirements.
A. Develop and evaluate alternatives.
5. Select plan.
6. Prepare design of treatment works.
7. Make arrangements for implementation.

These phases are divided into a three-step process within the 201
program as shown in the following schematic:
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2-2
STEP 3
2--DESIGN ^CONSTRUCTION-;
PHASE 6
\
/
PHASE 7
Step 1, dealing with planning activities only, relates to the first five
phases; Step 2 (Phase 6) is the design of the facility; and Step 3
(Phase 7) is the implementation or construction of the facility. The
Clean Water Plan and Program will provide data to the 201 agencies for
the first four phases of Step 1. Information pertaining to population,
land use, facility requirements, and alternative treatment strategies
developed at the regional level will provide basic information for 201
facility planning.

Phase I—Current Conditions

Assessing the current situation is a joint responsibility of the 201
and 208 programs. The process includes the following elements:

1. Planning area description.
2. Demographic data.
3. Water quality data.
4. Existing environmental conditions.
5. Existing wastewater flows and treatment systems.
6. Infiltration/inflow estimates.

The Clean Water Plan delineates on Figure II-l a general planning area for
the 201 planning studies. For areas not shown on the figure, the 201 plan-
ning areas conform to the existing service area of the management agency.
The 201 agencies may need to refine the planning area boundaries according
to their service agreements working with the DRCOG. The planning area
delineations will be subject to annual revision as institutional and ser-
vice patterns change within the 208 Study Area. Although DRCOG has developed
areawide information for each of the planning elements, that information
needs to be detailed according to the local situation for adequate evalua-
tion by the 201 agencies. Detailed implementation information is required
in order for the 201 agencies to proceed with Phases 6 and 7.

Phase 2—Assess Future Conditions

Assessment of future conditions is dependent upon close coordination of
the 201 and 208 programs. The Clean Water Plan utilized forecast alloca-
tions of population and land use within which the areawide plan was
developed. The population allocations were adopted by DRCOG in August 1976
for the expressed purpose of conducting regional functional planning. The
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adopting resolution, within which the Clean Water Plan has been developed,
provides flexibility in use of local projections for facility planning in
relationship to the population allocations.

In general, 208 planning has been closely coordinated with 201 planning
to insure consistency of base information and alternatives being evalu-
ated by the two planning programs. Population forecast allocations for
facility planning can be based on one of three options: (1) The 208 plan-
ning population allocations adopted by DRCOG as amended from time to time,
(2) two or more population projections from any source as long as one of
the projections is the adopted 208 population allocation, and (3) a single
projection other than the adopted allocation with agreement of the 208
agency. If the third option is selected, the population projection pre-
ferred by the 201 agency will be submitted to the 208 planning agency
together with a technical justification of the projection including
methods, data, and assumptions used in its preparation. The 208 agency
will determine consistency of the selected projection for 201 facility
planning.

It is anticipated that each 201 planning study will establish site specific
flow projections that will result in wastewater flows and loads specific
to the area which will be incorporated into the design and construction
of the facility. Wastewater flow projections in this report are based
upon areawide data. These projections, which are discussed further under
Treatment Levels, are based upon a flow determination of various factors
dealing with (1) residential flow, (2) industrial flow, (3) commercial
flow, (4) public land flows, (5) parks and recreation flows, and (6) in-
filtration/inflow. It is anticipated that each 201 agency will make its
own determination of these various flow factors and their impacts on the
wastewater facilities in their area. The Clean Water Program Technical
Report provides certain guidelines and averages which an agency could
utilize if better data at the local level is not available.

Phase 3—Effluent Requirements

The quality of effluent discharge from the proposed facility will be
reflected in the NPDES discharge permit issued to the agency construct-
ing the facility. NPDES requirements normally relate to the 1977
secondary treatment requirements as well as higher requirements if the
facility is located on a water quality limited stream segment. The
development of effluent limitations is a function of the 208 Plan with
concurrence of or revision by the State Water Quality Control Commission.
The limitations developed by the 208 study will relate to the 1983 water
quality goals where attainable. Facility planning during the past several
years has concentrated on meeting the instream water quality conditions
required for the attainment of a warm or cold water biota. When the
state certifies the Clean Water Plan, a stream classification will be
established upon which future NPDES permits will be issued. This classi-
fication system is an extremely important element upon which the water
quality management plan is based.
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2-6

Phase 4—-Develop and Evaluate Alternatives

Development and evaluation of plan alternatives will be coordinated
with the 208 program. Within the framework of regional 208 planning
are alternatives for treatment facilities that may have a direct im-
pact on 201 facility planning efforts. However, the level of detail in
the 208 analysis is insufficient for a final 201 facilities plan.
The 201 alternatives will be evaluated in detail for pollutant removal
effectiveness, costs, and environmental affects for alternative sites
in the general area designated by the 208 Plan. Regional water quality
impacts from point sources on instream water quality will be identified
in the 208 planning process for input into the 201 alternatives.

The 201 Plan should refine and update the Clean Water Plan as necessary
to achieve the degree of accuracy required through site specific facility
planning studies. The 201 Plan must be more specific than the Clean
Water Plan on alternatives relating to industrial use of municipal facili-
ties, flow and wastewater reduction measures, economic studies of the
most cost effective location and size, sludge disposal alternatives,
land application or refuse alternatives, and revision of wasteloads
resulting from changes in discharge locations. Other elements relating
to 201 planning deal with phasing of construction, obtaining sufficient
land and rights-of-way, and provision for future planning flexibility.

Phase 5—Select Plan

Final plan selection is the responsibility of the 201 agency. Public
meetings and hearings are required to obtain the views of the public
concerning site specific alternatives. The 201 environmental impact
statement provides a method for incorporating site specific and regional
environmental impacts necessary for final plan selection. If the 201
Plan is not consistent with the Clean Water Plan, the Clean Water Plan
should be amended based upon the detailed analysis done within the
201 planning process.

Phase 6--Des1gn of Treatment Works

Preliminary design of the treatment facility is strictly a function
of the 201 agency. It is not anticipated that the Clean Water Plan
will be affected by the final design of a facility.

Phase 7--Arrangements for Implementation

Guidance for making arrangements for management implementation of the
201 Plan is provided within the Clean Water Plan. However, specific
institutional and financial arrangements for the new facilities must
be made by the management agency which has final implementation respon-
sibility.
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2-7

POPULATION AND LAMP USE

The rate and type of growth experienced by a region can impact the quality
of its water resources. This impact occurs in the form of point and non-
point sources of pollution. While Denver area growth has not been especi-
ally concentrated in areas unsuited for new development, it has generated
concern over the effect of urban sprawl and development on water quality
and other undesirable trends dealing with exceeding treatment capacities
and interceptor facilities. These concerns reflected the need for re-
gional approaches to growth plans and policies.

The most recent policy action by DRCOG was the adoption of a development
policy allocating the regional population forecast to subareas. This is
the first regional attempt to allocate development to small areas and has
been used to determine the need for wastewater facilities. A new unit,
the Urban Service Area, was defined for this allocation process.

These Urban Service Area allocations were adapted to basin and plant
service areas. The first step in the reallocation created a set of geo-
graphic equivalencies between basins and Urban Service Areas. This pro-
vided a preliminary set of 2000 allocations which assumed uniform densi-
ties across basins within an Urban Service Area. The 1975 data was
compared to this allocation and the 2000 data was adjusted where neces-
sary. Staging between 1975 and 2000 was then made in a straightforward
manner with Urban Service Area allocations serving as control totals for
basins. Table II-l summarizes the allocations by basin.

TABLE II-l. Reallocation of Adopted Regional Subarea Population
Allocations to Basins, 1975-2000.
Basin
St. Vrain
Boulder Creek
Coal Creek
Big Dry Creek
Lower South Platte
Clear Creek
Sand Creek
Cherry Creek
Lakewood
Bear Creek
South Metro
Upper South Platte
r IT
Plum Creek
Box Elder Creek
Eastern Plains
Current
1975
43,240
99,830
15,990
28,750
21,010
305,840
169,640
342,310
266,290
57,240
134,200
7,710
8,140
950
4,150
Short Term
1980
58,930
107,940
23,620
43,230
45,635
336,900
186,120
364,950
263,800
76,080
159,140
9,759
10,930
1,100
4,600
1985
59,430
117,730
29,980
55,100
54,860
354,740
211,264
386,060
265,190
97,950
195,650
12,450
13,240
1,200
5,600
1990
68,300
127,780
36,860
68,270
65,090
378,560
234,659
408,710
265,950
118,940
231,960
15,350
15,940
1,400
6,600
Long Term
2000
87,300
144,290
41,400
98,060
103,570
417,650
306,600
485,820
273,820
156,290
298,470
21,700
20,580
1,700
8,200
Totals 1,505,290 1,692,725 1,860,444 1.944,369 2,465,450*

*This figure includes population projections outside the five-county study
area.
-------
2-8

To forecast future sizing of existing or proposed treatment facilities
requires resident population projections for the area tributary to the
facility. Table II-2 shows the plant service area population alloca-
tions used in the second phase analysis and the final Clean Water Plan.
For the most part these figures are directly related to combinations of
Urban Service Area and/or subarea allocations. A limited number of small
service areas required additional allocation based on expected patterns
of growth within a small portion of a basin or Urban Service Area.

TABLE II-2. Population Allocations By Sewer Service Planning Area,
1975-1985-2000.
Sewer Service
Planning Area 1975 1985 2000
Englewood/Littleton
South Lakewood
MDSDD #1(2)
Golden
Sand Creek
South Adams County
Brighton
Big Dry Creek (3)
Boulder
Longmont
Erie
Lafayette
Louisville
Glendale
Evergreen
Genesee
Kittredge
Lake Eldora (1)
Lyons
Morrison
Mountain Water and
Sanitation District
Nederland
Niwot
West Jefferson County
Bennett
Byers
Deer Trail
Strasburg
TOTAL
137,000
16,800
1,050,000
-
11,500
28,600
11,900
4,800
94,600
34,800
1,520
6,990
4,440
3,700
2,000
-
500
—
850
450

140
600
2,500
1,000
900
400
400
1,000
1,417,390
190,000
19,000
1,020,000
. 18,600
123,000
39,600
18,000
60,900
107,000
46,300
1,800
10,200
10,000
8,700
3,470
1,250
720
—
1,060
520

210
750
3,200
4,300
1,700
700
400
1,500
1,692,880
276,000
22,800
1,240,000
26,000
194,000
47,300
25,000
143,000
130,000
67,400
2,700
14,000
13,600
8,700
4,870
2,650
1,010
—
1,410
665

310
900
4,600
6,050
2,300
1,000
400
3,000
2,239,665
(1) Ski resort with no overnight lodging.
(2) Assumes Golden on line by 1-85, Lower Thornton going to Big Dry Creek
by 1985, and the total service area flow for Sand Creek with the ex-
ception of Aurora Westerly Creek being handled by the Sand Creek Plant
for 1985 and 2000.
(3) Assumes Thornton on line by 1985 and Broomfield phased-out by 2000.
-------
2-9

TREATMENT LEVELS

The primary goal of the Clean Water Program was to evaluate the achiev-
ability of fishable/swimmable waters in the 208 Study Area and to
provide information upon which future water quality classifications
can be based. To accomplish this goal an inventory of existing condi-
tions and projections of costs for upgrading water quality in various
stream reaches were made.

In determining the treatment levels necessary to meet stream classifi-
cation requirements, point source flows were determined on an average
daily basis for 1975, 1985 and 2000 (Table II-3). These flows were
developed on a regional basis and should be refined by the 201 manage-
ment agencies. The annual average residential unit flows were initially
estimated by computing the per capita value for a predominantly bedroom
community whose wastewater volume is measured by the Metro district.
This value was compared with two other residential flow studies, one
from Boulder and the other performed in the midwestern United States.
Also, to check domestic water consumption minus the effects of lawn
watering, winter water use volumes were obtained from various water
departments. During the winter months, life sustaining water uses--
cooking, washing, drinking—consume about 7.5 percent of the water sup-
ply. The remaining 92.5 percent returns to the sewers as wastewater.
The estimated home use minus irrigation value for the Denver Water
Board service area is approximately 60 gpcd Abased on these assumptions
with an annual average of 65 gpcd.

Unit wastewater flow values by land use category were established by
applying measured values in the greater metropolitan Denver area
and comparing them with other published data to identify any gross
errors. The unit values were also checked against available water
records from the Denver Water Department and several other agencies.
The industrial and transportation, communications, and utilities unit
per acre flow was computed based on a telephone survey of the indus-
tries in the North Washington Water and Sanitation District (Commerce
City area). The resulting value was modified by determining a weighted
average of heavy industry to the warehousing operations in the area.
The weighted unit flow value was again modified by the average ratio
of industrial to transportation, communication, and utilities acreage
in the area.

The major municipal service areas in the DRCOG 208 Planning Area are
shown in Figure II-l. All of these facilities, except for the City
and County of Denver's Northside Plant, discharge effluent of at
least secondary quality. The Denver Northside Plant discharges pri-
mary treated effluent to the Metro Central Plant where it undergoes
secondary treatment prior to discharge to the South Platte River.
-------
TABLE II-3. Point Source Flows by Treatment Facility
Facility
Englewood/Littleton
South Lakewood
MDSDD#l(2)
Golden
Sand Creek
South Adams County
Brighton
Big Dry Creek U)
Boulder
Longmont
Erie
Lafayette
Louisville
Glendale
Evergreen
Genesee
Kittredge
Lake Eldora
Lyons
Morrison
Mountain Water and
Sanitation Dist
Nederland
Niwot
West Jefferson Co
Bennett
Byers
Deer Trail
Strasburg
1975
14.5
1.9
132.0
1.1
2.0
1.5
0.6
11.2
5.0
0.1
0.6
0.0
0.7
0.25
0.01
0.01
0.10
0.05

0.01
0.07
0.24
0.08
0.09
0.06
0.04
0.10
1985
20.9
2.2
139.0
3.3
13.5
3.8
2.1
6.7
15.2
8.2
0.4
1.3
1.3
1.3
0.64
0.15
0.08
0.01
0.17
0.06

0.03
0.11
0.32
0.35
0.17
0.07
0.04
0.15
2000
32.0
2.5
173.0
4.1
21.4
6.8
3.0
16.9
18.0
11.2
1.0
2.0
2.0
1.4
0.96
0.50
0.10
0.02
0.25
0.08

0.05
0.13
0.46
0.52
0.25
0.10
0.04
0.30
In addition, Broomfield has flows of 1.6 in 1975,
3.3 in 1985 and is phased out by 2000. Lower
Thornton is assumed on-line by 1985.

(2)Assumes Golden on-line by 1985, Lower Thornton
going to Big Dry Creek by 1985, and the total
service area flow for Sand Creek with the excep-
tion of Aurora Westerly Creek being handled by
the Sand Creek plant for 1985 and 2000. The
values shown include Denver Northside flows.
-------
2-11

Four stream classification alternatives were identified for the vari-
ous stream readies. Cost estimates were then developed and wasteloads
allocated based upon the classification alternatives. These alterna-
tives are presented in the Technical Report. Based upon costs of and
benefits from achieving each water quality level, Figure II-2 shows
the recommended classifications for the area's streams. The recom-
mended classification system which directly translates into costs and
treatment levels should be considered an interim goal. This goal is
a combination of various water quality levels in the region which relate
to desired and attainable water quality.

The classification process also evaluated the affect of nonpoint pollu-
tion on meeting the various potential classifications. Probability
tables showed interesting results concerning the impact of nonpoint
pollution. Essentially the highest stream alternative having primary
contact as a beneficial use cannot be attained without major nonpoint
source controls. The same is also true for-the other stream classifi-
cation alternatives only to a lesser extent.

The interim goal falls short of meeting the national goal of fishable/
swimmable water by 1983. However, federal guidelines allow for devia-
tions from meeting the 1983 goal if one of the following conditions exist:
(1) Use cannot be attained because of natural background conditions,
(2) use cannot be attained because of irretrievable man-induced condi-
tions or, (3) use cannot be attained because the imposition of pollution
controls would result in a substantial and widespread adverse economic
and social impact. Each of these deviation conditions were considered
for the streams shown by Figure II-2.

The attainment of the interim goal marks a logical and orderly progress
toward the 1983 water quality goal. By instituting an interim goal,
the present uses of the water resources in the area can be preserved,
and the social and economic impacts can be mitigated by distributing
costs of higher treatment over a longer period of time.

As required by state law, the Colorado Water Quality Control Commis-
sion has established a set of stream (water quality) classifications.
Similarities and differences between the existing Commission classifi-
cations and those recommended in the Clean Water Plan are noted in
Table II-4. The Commission is presently holding hearings on its pro-
posed stream reclassification system, Khich is based on establishing
certain beneficial uses in the various stream reaches. It is anticipated
that the proposed system of use classification will be adopted.
-------
PAGE NOT
AVAILABLE
DIGITALLY
-------
2-15
TABLE II-4. Comparison of Existing and Clean Water Plan
Receiving Stream (Water Quality) Classifications.
Facility
Englewood/Littleton
South Lakewood
MDSDD#1
Golden
Sand Creek
South Adams County
Brighton
Big Dry Creek
Boulder
Longmont
Erie
Lafayette
Louisville
Glendale
Lyons
Niwot
Mountains
Plains
Existing
Classification
B!
B2
B2
B2
-
B2
B2
-
A2
B2
B2
B2
B2
-
B2
-
Aj or Bj
-
Clean Water Plan
Classification
2,3,5,8
2,3,5,8
2,3,8,A
1,2,3,5,6,7,8,6
2, 3,8, A
2.3.8.A
2,3,8,A
2,3,5,8
1,2.3,5,6,7,8
2,3,8
2,3,5,6,8
2,3,5,6,8
2,3,5,6,8
2,3,5,6,8
2,3,5,6,7,8
2,3,8
1,2,3,4,6,7,8
2,3,8
Existing -
A! - Cold water fishery and primary contact recreation.
A£ - Warm water fishery and primary contact recreation.
Bl - Cold water fishery and secondary contact recreation.
B2 - Warm water fishery and secondary contact recreation.

Clean Water Plan -
1. Primary contact recreation
2. Secondary contact recreation
3. Agriculture
4. Cold water biota
5. Warm water biota
6. Water supply - groundwater
7. Water supply - surface water
8. Wildlife
A. Provided raunicipal raw water supplies are not degraded.
B. Provided a cold water biota could not be attained without
a substantial increase in streamflow.
-------
2-16

The effluent characteristics necessary to attain desired instream water
qualities are listed in Table II-5 for each of the 28 treatment facilities.
The effluent qualities are based on the equal treatment methodology which
requires that all facilities discharging to the same stream reach treat
effluent to the same level. Permissible effluent concentrations were
determined from water quality modeling.

For the purposes of this plan, effluent quality has been determined
related to five water contaminants: five-day biochemical oxygen demand
(BODs), ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N), phosphate-phosphorous (P04-P), free
residual chlorine (Cl2) and fecal coliforms. These contaminants were
chosen from the many present in sewage effluent for the following reasons:

All five are commonly present in chlorinated secondary effluent.

All five can be routinely and precisely monitored.

Excessive concentrations of each contaminant will eliminate
one or more of the stream classifications.

Routine and reliable treatment processes are available to reduce
concentrations of all five contaminants to harmless levels.

Treatment processes for the removal of these five contaminants were
selected on the basis of proven reliability and the availability of
reasonably accurate capital and operation and maintenance costs. The
following processes were used for the cost estimates:

Activated sludge process (capable of reducing BOD concentrations
to either 30 or 20 mg/1).

Nitrification (capable of reducing NHj-N concentrations below
3 mg/1).

Breakpoint chlorination (capable of essentially eliminating
NH3-N in the effluent).

Multi-media filtration (capable of reducing suspended solids
concentrations to below 5 mg/1).

Selective ion exchange for nitrogen removal (capable of reducing
total nitrogen concentrations below 2 mg/1 and NH3-N concen-
trations below 1 mg/1).

Mineral addition to secondary treatment processes followed by
filtration (capable of reducing total phosphorous concentra-
tions below 0.5 mg/1).

Two-stage lime treatment followed by filtration (capable of
reducing total phosphorous concentrations below 0.3 mg/1).

Dechlorination (capable of reducing C12 concentrations below
0.5 mg/1).
-------
TABLE II-5. Recommended Effluent Quality.
FACILITY
Englewood/Littleton
South Lakewood
MDSDD //I
Golden
Sand Creek
South Adams County
Brighton
Big Dry Creek
Boulder
Longmont
Erie
Lafayette
Louisville
Glendale
Evergreen
Genesee
Kittredge
Lake Eldora
Lyons
Morrison
Mountain Water and
Sanitation District
Nederland
Niwot
West Jefferson
Bennett
Byers
Deer Trail
Strasburg
1985
EFFLUENT REQUIREMENTS
FLOW BOD5(1)
(mgd) (mg/1)
23.4
2.2
139.0
3.3
13.5
3.8
2.1
6.7
15.2
8.2
0.4
1.3
1.3
1.3
0.64
0.15
0.08
0.01
0.17
0.06

0.03
0.11
0.32
0.35
0.17
0.07
0.04
0.15
20
20
30
20
30
30
30
20
20
30
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
30
30
20

30
20
30
20
30
30
30
30
NH3-N(2) P04-P(3) Cl2(4) 1
(mg/1) (mg/1) OWl)
1
1
-
1
-
-
-
1
1
-
1
1
1
1
9
9
9
-
-
9

-
1
-
9
-
-
-
^
0.
0.
0.
0.3 0.
0.
0.
0.
0.
0.3 0.
0.
0.
0.
0.
0.
0.5 0.
0.5 0.
0.5 0.
0.
0.
0.5 0.

0.
0.3 0.
0.
0.5 0.
0.
0.
0.
0.
02
02
5
02
5
5
5
02
02
5
02
02
02
02
02
02
02
5
5
02

5
02
5
02
5
5
5
5
?EC. COLI. (5) WATER DUALITY
(org/100 ml) YES
1,000
1,000
1,000
200
1,000
1,000
1,000
1,000
200
1,000
1,000
1,000
1,000
1,000
200
200
200
1,000
1,000
200

1,000
200
1,000
200
1,000
1,000
1,000
1,000
X
X

X
X

X
X
X
X
X
X
X

-
NO

X
X
X

X
X

X
X
X
X
LIMITED STREAM
CONSTITUENTS
NH3,
NH3,

NH3,

NH3,
NH3,

NH3,
NH3,
NH3,
NH3,
NH3,
NH3,
NH3,

NH3,

C12
C12

P04,

C12
P04,

C12
C12
C12
C12
P04,
P04,
P04,

P04,

C12

C12
C12
C12

C12

(1) Effluent BOD5 values of 20 mg/1 are required for those plants with AWT. (2) Ammonia-Nitrogen
(3) Phosphate-Phosphorus. (4) Total residual chlorine. (5) Fecal Coliforms.
-------
2-18

In addition to the processes listed above, land application alternatives
for wastewater facilities were evaluated. The results of the analysis
show t^hat the costs between conventional treatment and land application
to achieve the recommended stream classification are comparable. Although
cost estimates are comparable, land application is a site specific alter-
native and should be further evaluated in each 201 Facility Plan because of
the uncertainty of water rights, land costs, and treatment level requirements.

Order-of-magniture cost estimates utilizing regional data were made for
the wastewater facilities. Costs of treatment to the agencies are capital
and operation and maintenance costs for the treatment facilities and for
major sewers, including interceptors and large force mains with pump sta-
tions. Operation and maintenance costs for the collection systems were
also included, but the capital costs of new collection systems were assumed
to be borne by developers. The cost estimates do not include the bonded
indebtedness of the existing facilities.

Host agencies will have to renovate and expand secondary facilities in order
to meet projected population growth and construct new advanced wastewater
treatment (AWT) facilities to satisfy stricter instream water quality
standards. MDSDDj?! is also planning large capital expenditures for solids
reuse and off-site sludge disposal facilities, while Denver is planning a
large capital expenditure for digester gas reuse and renovation of its
existing treatment plant.

The Englewood/Littleton facility has been designed as a regional facility
to serve the two cities. Treatment will take place at the present Engle-
wood site. The Big Dry Creek facility has also been designed as a regional
facility to serve Westminster, Broomfield and a portion of Thornton. The
possibility of treating a portion of the wastewater from Thornton in the
Big Dry Creek regional plant is also being considered in the Lower South
Platte Facility Plan. The Lower South Platte Interceptor, pump station,
and force main is planned to convey wastewater from the Thornton service
area to the Big Dry Creek plant.

Facility costs have not been included for Golden because the Phase 1
Report and Phase 1 Report Supplement for the Clear Creek Facility Plan
show that a treatment facility in the vicinity of Golden is not cost
effective. However, Golden and Arvada have expressed an interest in
maintaining treatment facilities at the west end of the Clear Creek
Basin in order to reuse their nontributary water for urban irrigation.
An allowance for localized facility planning has therefore been made.

Glendale and Morrison could be served by the MDSDD//1 through existing
interceptors. However, Glendale is presently expanding its treatment
plant and has expressed the desire to keep its plant in operation.
Glendale would therefore have to provide additional treatment facili-
ties to obtain the recommended effluent quality.

Morrison has expressed a desire to remain autonomous and continue oper-
ation of its treatment plant. The total costs for treatment of waste-
water from Morrison indicate that treatment at the Metro Central Plant
would be the most efficient approach, but the cost difference is not
enough to make that decision at this level of planning. Therefore,
the costs included for Morrison could apply to either connection with
the MDSDD#1 or construction of AWT facilities and continued operation
of its own treatment facility.
-------
2-19
Most Colorado communities have paid only a small percentage of the
total construction cost of wastewatcr treatment facilities over the
past five years. Federal monies have been made available under the
Federal Construction Grants Program for as much as 75% of the cost of
facility planning, design, and construction. State monies have been
made available through the Small Communities Wastewater Planning Pro-
gram on a need basis for predesign, design, and construction of waste-
water treatment and collection systems. State funds have averaged
about $2.5 million per year for the past three to five years.

Federal funds from the Construction Grants Program are allocated to
applicants in accordance with a federally approved priority point
system. The present system, approved by the EPA, was adopted by the
Colorado Water Quality Control Commission on June 17, 1975. Based on
the existing (FY-1977) priority points and subsequent ranking, several
communities have already been allocated a portion of the federal funds
for wastewater pollution abatement. However, in order to predict which
of the remaining communities should receive funds and in which order
during the next five-year planning period, a priority list for the
various communities in the DRCOG planning area has been computed for
the 1978-1982 period based on the existing state priority point system.
The results of this computation are shown in Table II-6. The priority
points for each facility were calculated using the following informa-
tion:

Population forecast allocations of the Denver Regional Council
of Governments.

The average daily flow projections.

Estimated present effluent concentrations from all facilities
of 18 mg/1 NH3-N, 8 mg/1 POi,, and 0.5 mg/1 C12.
The recommended effluent qualities.

The BODs points awarded to each facility in FY-1976 were
adjusted for the difference between the BODs limitation in
the discharge permit and the recommended BOD5 concentra-
tions.

Stream category factors based on the equivalent Water Quality
Control Commission classification under the Clean Water Plan.

The reuse points were assigned on the following basis: 10
bonus points for potable reuse of the effluent, 7 for indus-
trial, and 6 for urban irrigation.

The priority rankings computed for the 1978-1982 time period may be com-
pared with the existing priority rankings for FY-1977 in Table II-6. In
most cases, the major differences between the two sets of rankings are a
result of the recommended changes in the stream classifications. Facili-
ties on the Lower South Platte River and St. Vrain Creek base priority
points under the Clean Water Plan classification system. The Denver area
sewers drop in the priority rankings because of the expected correction
-------
TABLE II-6.
Rankings Under the Existing Colorado Federal
Construction Grant Priority System.
Facility
Englewood/Littleton
Plant
Sewers
South Lakewood
MDSDDtfl
Metro Plant
Denver Plant
Lower South Platte
Interceptor
Clear Creek Interceptor
Sand Creek Interceptor
Denver Area Sewers
Golden
Sand Creek
South Adams County
Plant
Sewers
Brighton
Big Dry Creek
Plant
Sewers
Boulder
Plant
Sewers
Longmont
Plant
Sewers
Erie
Lafayette
Plant
Sewers
Louisville
Glendale
Evergreen
Genesee
Kittredge
Lyons
Morrison
Mountain W/S
Nederland
Niwot
West Jefferson County
Bennett
Byers
Deer Trail
Strasburg
1977

1
-
4

7
-

-
-
-
2
—
31

10
-
12

92
-

6
-

8
—
20

17
-
18
5
11
—
15
19
13
-
16
-
14
-
21
22
—
1978

2
1
8

20
21

22
22
22
25
5
12

30
31
34

6
7

3
4

17
18
33

16
15
19
11
9
14
28
32
13
29
26
29
27
10
35
36
38
1979

2
1
8

20
21

22
22
22
25
5
14

30
31
34

6
7

3
4

17
18
33

13
12
19
11
9
16
28
32
15
29
26
29
27
10
36
37
38
1980

2
1
8

20
21

22
22
22
25
5
16

30
31
34

6
7

3
4

17
18
33

14
13
15
11
9
12
28
32
19
29
26
29
27
10
36
37
38
1981

2
1
12

23
24

6
6
6
25
5
19

30
31
34

9
10

3
4

20
21
33

17
16
18
14
11
15
28
32
22
29
26
29
27
13
37
38
36
1982

2
1
12

24
25

6
6
6
25
5
21

32
33
34

10
11

3
4

19
20
31

17
16
18
14
9
15
28
29
23
30
22
30
27
13
37
38
36
1 For City of Aurora
2 For Broomfield/Westminster
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2-21

of sewer overflows in 1977, while the Metro interceptors rise in the
rankings at the end of the 1977-1982 period because of predicted over-
flows. Based on the projected ranking for each of the communities, a
capital improvement program for achieving the stream classification can
be developed.

Displayed in Table II-7 is a Capital Improvements Program for water quality
facilities in the Denver 208 planning area from 1977 to the year 2000. The
table shows detailed facility scheduling by year for the years 1977 to 1982
and less detailed scheduling for 1983 through 2000. The figures in the
table represent estimated dollar amounts for planning, design and construc-
tion of sewage treatment plants, interceptor sewers and collection systems.

The amounts in Table II-7 were obtained from cost estimates performed for
the facilities planning portion of the Clean Water Program and from infor-
mation provided by the agencies listed. All costs were estimated to a
1977 base and inflated at 8 percent per year for the years 1977 to 1982.
Inflation rates were not projected after 1982.

The costs are planning estimates and are considered to be within -30% to
+50% of the actual costs for a particular facility. Final construction
costs will be developed from detailed 201 facility plans. In addition,
changes in the technical portion of the Program such as stream classifi-
cations and treatment processes could result in significant changes in
costs.

The cost estimates for each facility (Items 1 through 29) are for treatment
plants and major interceptors only. Collection systems are shown in Item 30
for the entire area.

The Capital Improvements Program includes projects to be funded by state
grants, by federal grants, by a combination of state and federal grants
and by local funds. Federal funds through the facility planning program
will probably be the greatest source of outside revenue for local com-
munities to construct wastewater treatment facilities to satisfy stricter
water quality standards and growth demands. The scheduling of facilities
in the 208 planning area has been based on a funding limitation of $22
million per year during the 1978-1985 period, with the stipulation that
the state has two years to obligate the funds from any one fiscal year.
The $22 million amount assumed in this work was established after dis-
cussions with Region VIII EPA and the proposed restrictions of a maximum
of 55% of the state's allocation for work in the metropolitan Denver area.
As in the past, grants for the plant facilities are for 75% of the total
cost foi planning, design, and construction. For interceptors and major
force mains, federal monies through the 201 program have traditionally
been offered for 90% of the design flow. Therefore, federal grants for
major sewers were estimated at 68% of the capital cost.

The Colorado Department of Health also indicated that an additional $15
million of federal public works monies will be made available to Colorado
in 1977 through the Nunn-Talmedge Act. This act reapportions federal funds
to those states that received less than their fair share during the initial
years of the program. Of this total amount, 55% has been assumed to be
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2-22

available to the DRCOG region for planning, design, and construction of
wastewater facilities. The funds are expected to be handled in the same
way as the construction grant monies.

Scheduling of grants in 1977 was based on the existing FY-1977 priority
list and on information from the Colorado Department of Health on what
communities were expected to apply for funds during 1977. No 201 funds
were appropriated by Congress in 1977. Therefore, grant monies avail-
able during this year included unallocated funds from FY-1976 and
Nunn-Talmedge funds.

Only planning funds were allocated from the federal 201 program to the
plains and smaller mountain commurities. Most of these communities are
low on the priority list and cannot receive funds when desired. There-
fore, it is assumed that they will look for alternative funding sources,
such as the State of Colorado Small Communities"Wastewater Planning
Program.

INDUSTRIAL DISCHARGERS

Currently over seventy industrial dischargers in the five-county area
have NPDES Discharge Permits. Of these, twelve were identified as po-
tentially having a significant impact on the water quality in the area.
These twelve dischargers were identified by examining their current
NPDES Discharge Permits, their self-monitoring'reports, EPA's STORET
data and some were also identified by modeling their discharge on the
receiving stream. The twelve dischargers are Great Western Sugar
Company--Longmont and Brighton plants, Public Service Company—Valmont,
Cherokee, Zuni and Arapahoe power plants, Flatiron Premix Concrete
Company, Continental Oil Company, Asamera Oil Company (formerly The
Refinery Corporation), U. S. Atomic Energy Commission's Rocky Flats
plant, Gates Rubber Company, Martin Marietta Corporation—Waterton
plant, and Adolph Coors Company—Golden.

Five of these plants will not need a new NPDES Permit to meet the 1983
requirements of Best Available Technology (BAT) for industry. They
are Adolph Coors Company, Flatiron Companies, Gates Rubber Company,
Great Western Sugar—Longmont and Brighton, and the Rocky Flats plant.

Of the remaining seven, Asamera Oil and Martin Marietta are currently
meeting the BAT requirements. Public Service Company may need to up-
grade its discharge in terms of temperature and TDS to meet the BAT
requirements applicable to their industry. This will probably cost
Public Service Company approximately $1.25 million for the four power
plants. No water quality problems on Sand Creek or the Burlington Ditch
are anticipated if Continental Oil Company meets the 1983 BAT require-
ments for its industrial classification.

It appears that BAT requirements are adequate to meet the recommended
stream classifications for the seventy industrial dischargers with the
possible exception of the Adolph Coors Company. The Clear Creek reach
from Golden to the mouth is classified as primary contact recreation,
warm water fishery, and water supply (surface and ground). This classi-
fication requires a high level of phosphorus removal, ammonia removal,
and a nitrate-nitrogen level of less than ten milligrams per liter. No
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2-23
problems are anticipated with ammonia and nitrate-nitrogen since current
discharge levels are within the allowable limits. The phosphate-phos-
phorus level in the effluent will need to be reduced to approximately
0.2 to 0.3 milligrams per liter in order to achieve a level of 0.1
milligrams per liter for primary contact recreation.

The majority of industrial residual wastes for the area are currently
handled by the City and County of Denver at its sanitary landfill oper-
ation at the Lowry Bombing Range. The amount of liquid waste hauled
to the site is between 30,000 and 50,000 gallons per day. The liquid
industrial wastes are handled separately at this site by using deep
unlined pits, approximately 10 to 20 feet deep, 30 to 50 feet wide,
and about 200 feet long. The pits are filled approximately half full
with liquid waste, and then solid waste material such as refuse and
garbage is pushed into the pit and compacted. Finally, trash is placed
over the pit, and the pit is sealed with several layers of dirt.

According to a recent report published by the United States. Geological
Survey encitled Ground Water Quality Near a Sewage Sludge Recycling
Site in a Landfill Near Denver, Colorado,

It would require about 500 years for the degraded water to
move 2.5 miles from the landfill to the nearest domestic well.
During this movement, the degraded water would be diluted by
recharge of nondegraded water from the alluvium and would be
further diluted by mixing with nondegraded water with the upper
parts of the bedrock formation. Unless the landfill becomes
a long-term source of large quantities of leachate, containing
high concentrations of degrading constituents, it is unlikely
that the degradation would ever have a significant impact on
the ground water qualities at Well SC 4-65-30AAB (the nearest
domestic well).

Recommendations for handling residual industrial wastes are as follows:

1. Use of the present Lowry disposal site should be continued
and closely monitored. The monitoring recommendations made
by the USGS in their report should be followed. This would
include monitoring of the disposal area's wells once a year
and sampling of wells on the perimeter of the site every six
months.

2. State and local officials should develop criteria for the
disposal of hazardous wastes on landfill sites.

3. A spill prevention program should be developed to allow the
county and municipalities to respond to an accident which
could result in the discharge of hazardous materials to the
area's water courses.

4. Modifications should be made at the present Lowry site to
prevent accidental discharge of the wastes to the surface water
courses from spills or unusual weather events.

5. Land use controls will be needed to minimize construction on
the Lowry landfill site and to prevent the development of wells
in the groundwater system on and adjacent to the site.
-------
SECTION III

NONPOINT SOURCE POLLUTION
GENERAL
Nonpoint source pollution is mainly attributable to man's activities on
the land which create contaminants that are eventually carried into the
streams and water bodies of the region. In determining the level of
water quality desired for the Denver region, the impact of nonpoint
pollution has been taken into consideration. The Clean Water Program
verifies that nonpoint source pollution is significant for most study
area basins.

Nonpoint source loads are measured in terms of pounds of constituent
buildup per day on land surfaces. This somewhat understates the actual
amount of pollutant load entering a stream after a typical storm be-
cause runoff events do not occur daily. In fact, assuming a maximum
buildup at 30 days, the amount of pollutant entering a receiving stream
after a month without precipitation could be up to 30 times greater
than the daily values. Use of daily nonpoint source loads, however,
allows for an equitable comparison with point sources based upon load
considerations although the actual impact on water quality is not
necessarily of the same magnitude.

WATER QUALITY MODEL

In order to relate point and nonpoint pollution to stream quality, the
Clean Water Program utilized a dynamic simulation water quality model.
This model gave a good time profile of water quality in each of the
basins. The model was used to evaluate various control measures and
strategies for both point and nonpoint source pollution. By utilizing
this model as a planning tool, a sensitivity analysis provided the
results necessary to indicate the various levels of nonpoint source con-
trol needed to meet the stream classifications.

Additional data is needed to assure that the model and analysis are
accurately representing the impact of nonpoint pollution on water quality.
This additional data, which will relate not only to the source but to
specific instream water quality impacts, is needed prior to the invest-
ment of major financial resources. However, as will be shown later in
this section during the data collection process implementation of cer-
tain nonstructural controls can be initiated.
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3-2

POINT AND NONPOINT SOURCE COMPARISON

An analysis of the impact of nonpoint source pollution on water quality
has shown that nonpoint sources contribute significantly more pollutants
than point sources (with the exception of ammonia and phosphate) in every
basin except the lower South Platte. This is partly due to the fact that
most of the wastewater generated in the Denver region is treated and
discharged from the Englewood/LIttleton and Metro Denver plants and many
of the basins have no treatment plants. It is difficult to evaluate
the relative impact of point versus nonpoint source pollution strictly
from a load perspective because of the timing differences where point
source pollution is occurring constantly and nonpoint pollution occurs
sporadically. Pollution from nonpoint sources will result in violations
of the water quality criteria required by the various stream classifica-
tion alternatives only during runoff periods of the year. As previously
mentioned, total load figures are not a correct interpretation of the
nonpoint source impact upon water quality. If used in conjunction with
percentage tables (Figures 10-18 to 10-21 in the Draft Technical Report),
however, an indication of the impact is possible.

A comparison of the state's proposed criteria with those parameters for
which data was available indicated that nutrients, total dissolved solids
(TDS), and bacteria entering the stream were the most common nonpoint
source problems. Phosphorous in levels 100 times higher than desired
was not uncommon. TDS was high in some stream reaches but could be con-
trolled through nonpoint source programs.

Bacteria, expressed as fecal coliform and fecal streptococci, are public
health hazards. Although they are not disease-producing themselves, they
serve as indicators that pathogens could be present. Levels in the metro-
politan area streams are very high in comparison with the standards for
primary and secondary contact recreation. Therefore, bacteria appear to
be the most detrimental pollution constituent to the Clean Water Program
and will entail the application of extensive control measures.

Commercial and industrial land uses contribute the largest loads of
bacteria and phosphate (as well as all other pollutant constituents).
Single family land uses are also heavy contributors; not because they
have the heaviest buildup rates, but because this land use category is
heavily represented in most basins. Although multifamily land uses are
responsible for heavy loadings of bacteria and phosphate in local areas,
they are not especially significant at the metropolitan level because
they do not represent a significant portion of the area's development.
Control of runoff from the undeveloped land use categories—parks and
recreation, natural, pasture, dry land and irrigated agriculture—is
not considered to be a serious problem.

NONPOINT SOURCE CONTROLS

Urban Areas

Programs for controlling nonpoint source pollution in the Denver metro-
politan area should be essentially the same for each basin with remedial
programs relating to existing development and preventive programs relating
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3-3

to developing areas. Remedial programs include rigorous and more effi-
cient use of typical urban housekeeping practices such as street sweep-
ing, sewervflushing, and catch basin maintenance. Preventive programs
incorporate nonstructural and structural measures that control and/or
manage runoff before it presents a problem. Actions such as onsite
detention and retention of runoff and control of pollutants generated
by construction activities are effective means of minimizing additional
runoff problems at minimum cost.

The Urban Drainage and Flood Control Manual has been generally formally
and informally adopted by agencies in the study area. Approximately
thirteen smaller municipalities and one county have not implemented use
of the manual. Many of the control concepts dealing with urban runoff
such as retention and detention basins provide benefits in addition to
water quantity considerations. It is recommended each agency in the
area involved in the control of urban runoff utilize the manual in re-
viewing development plans and enforce conformance with site plans.

Developed Areas

A general nonstructural program for developed areas which would avoid
capital costs and emphasize existing maintenance programs incorporates
the following recommendations to be initiated by the governmental agen-
cies in the area:
s
Catch Basin Maintenance. Catch basins retain sedimentation, allow-
ing coarse solids to settle within the basin. However, if basins are
not cleaned periodically, pollutants trapped during previous runoffs
are resuspended and washed into the receiving stream. Cleaning of catch
basins after a major storm, or at least once every 30 days, improves
water quality and allows the basins to operate more efficiently. Such
cleaning is particularly important in commercial and industrial areas.

Street Sweeping and Parking Lot Clean-ing. To prevent urban runoff
from street surface contaminants, street sweepers should be replaced
with vacuum-type street cleaners. Although vacuum systems are more
costly to purchase, they provide ancillary benefits such as adaptors
for catch basin cleaning and ease of operation that defray the addi-
tional capital cost. An increase in frequency of street cleaning,
accelerated cleaning in commercial and industrial areas, and cleaning
alleys at least three times a week and parking lots once a week could
significantly reduce the buildup of pollution on these land surfaces.

Improved Leaf Collection. Rotting leaves in alleys, gutters, and
other impervious areas increases the BOD and bacteria levels in urban
runoff. Removal of leaves can reduce the cost of catch basin maintenance
and street sweeping.

- Eliminate Street Salting; Minimize Sanding. Salt application in-
creases TDS loads and introduces cyanide, an anticaking agent. Sand
applications increase the cost of street sweeping and catch basin mainte-
nance and increase sediment loads. Other pollutants such as phosphate,
pesticides, and oil tend to adhere to street sediments and are carried
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3-4

to receiving watercourses. This type of control should only be considered
if unnecessary or over-useis occurring and implementation does not
result in a potential hazard.

Structural controls for collecting, storing, and treating urban runoff
in developed areas is extremely costly. Although this is the only way
to meet the water quality standards 100% of the time, benefits would
result for only portions of the year. Because development of these
facilities is costly and not justifiable without further data and
documentation, their use should not be required at this time.

Developing Areas

Preventive measures in developing areas result in water quality improve-
ment. Although water quality standards will not be met continuously,
a general enhancement of the environment by implementation of the follow-
ing controls is recommended.

Environmental Ordinance. The Denver metropolitan area has a notice-
able void of ordinances that deal directly with enhancement of water
quality. Although local government, in some instances, reviews develop-
ment plans with a view toward benefits to water quality, the criteria
is usually loose and open to interpretation. Each local government
in the study area should adopt an ordinance which identifies specific
performance criteria. Such an ordinance would not only benefit water
quality but also other areas of the environment such as enhancement of
vegetation and wildlife habitat.

Although the local ordinance must consider local conditions, the follow-
ing general requirements should be adhered to as closely as possible:

Site Plan. A site plan must be submitted for each new development
or construction. The site plan will include information dealing with
grading, clearing, grubbing, vegetation preservation, and erosion and
sedimentation control. A performance bond or letter of credit should
be posted by the developer which would include provisions for enforce-
ment and would be sufficient to insure the implementation of the site
development plan with sediment and erosion control. In general, the
philosophy in enforcing the plan would be that no greater sediment load
occurs during and after the development than would have occurred during
historic or natural conditions. This would be similar to the require-
ments for the planning of urban runoff quantity flows, as specified in
the Urban Drainage Criteria Manual.

Performance Standards. The following performance standards should
be required at the local level:

The smallest practical area of land shall be exposed at any
one time during development.

When land is exposed, such exposure shall cover as short a
period of time as is practicable.

Natural features such as trees, groves, natural terrain, and
waterways shall be preserved wherever possible.
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3-5

The boundaries and alignment of streams shall be preserved
and shall conform substantially with their natural boundaries
and alignment.

Temporary vegetation and/or mulching shall be used to protect
critical areas exposed during development.

Permanent final vegetation and structures shall be installed
as soon as practical during the development.

Wherever feasible, natural vegetation shall be retained and
protected.

No topsoil shall be removed from any areas except those intended
for structures or to be covered by manmade improvements. Any
topsoil removed shall be redistributed within the boundaries of
the land in question so as to provide a suitable base for seed-
ing and planting.

The development shall conform to the topography and soils so
as to create the least erosion potential.

Provisions shall be made to effectively accommodate increased
runoff caused by changed soil and surface conditions both during
and after development.

Sediment basins (debris basins, desilting basins or silt traps)
shall be installed and maintained to remove sediment from runoff
water from the land being developed.

In both urbanized and developing areas there are some general actions
which can be used by planners and engineers to help reduce the nonpoint
source pollution. Some of these generally applicable planning techniques
and ordinances follow.

Grading Ordinance. Such ordinances describe the manner in which
grading shall be done - i.e. with the contour of the land. They can be
written to limit the percent of soil left unprotected at any time.
Colorado's Uniform Building Code contains a general sample ordinance.

Erosion/Sedimentation Control. These help carry out the details
of a site plan. They are generally short-term and oriented to specific
development actions.

Littering Ordinance. By limiting the amount of litter through
stringent cleanup practices and fining programs the total pollution load
can be reduced and prevented from reaching the streams.

Zoning Ordinance. Various types of zoning activities can be effec-
tively used to limit impact on the streams and waterways. Examples are
incentive zoning and transfer of development rights where a developer
could be awarded density bonuses for using water pollution control
measures in his design. The advantage of implementing some additional
water pollution controls through the normal zoning/planning processes
is that there would be little increase in coat.
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3-6

Subdivision Regulation. It is usually this ordinance which des-
cribes the steps required for development of sites. These could be
amended to reflect the needs of water pollution controls.

Economic Incentives. Taxation and pricing measures such as various
tax waivers could make the purchase or installation of cleaning, recycling
or preventive equipment (vacuum street sweepers) economically attractive.

Other Means of Regulation. Licensing and inspection requirements
could be increased pertaining to measures which contribute to water quality.
The building code could be revised to reflect more latitude in construction
requirements, such as permitting or requiring pervious paving materials.

Individual Haste Disposal Systems

The tendency toward dispersed growth means that individual wastewater
treatment will continue to be used throughout the region. Septic
tanks are the predominant method used. Other systems do not offer
the advantages of operating simplicity and economy of properly con-
structed septic tanks with soil absorption systems. It is generally
assumed that the life expectancy of a soil absorption system is between
10 and 20 years, which means that in the septic system approval process
alternatives should be considered for future waterwater treatment.

County health departments regulate and oversee septic tank systems.
There were approximately 26,000 septic systems in the 208 area in
1976. Identification and enforcement of strict regulations on exist-
ing systems is extremely difficult. However, the implementation of
a permit system requiring an inspection of existing and new septic
systems on a periodic basis would be beneficial. Inspection frequency
would vary according to how critical or potentially hazardous the area
supporting the system is.

Agriculture

Controls for agriculture-related nonpoint source pollution concentrate
on best management practices. Soil conservation techniques will focus
on reducing pollution at the source rather than collecting and treating
pollutants. Regulatory agencies can assist in determining the optimum
use of fertilizers for better management of plant nutrients. Pesti-
cides will he controlled to insure that they reach only target areas
and species during application, do not migrate from the site, and where
possible, biodegradable products will be used. Irrigation will be
scheduled to provide water required only for crop production and a mini-
mum amount for salt leaching. This lessens the amount of leaching which
in turn reduces TDS and nitrate loadings in area streams.

These controls deal only with preventive measures. No requirement will
be placed upon the agricultural community to implement a structural
program for collection and treatment of the runoff. The preventive
measures can be easily implemented with the exception of the last item
which may be of concern to the agricultural community. This item must
be carefully evaluated on a site specific basis because of the poten-
tial impact on the stream and groundwater resources.
-------
SECTION IV

INSTITUTIONAL SYSTEM
BACKGROUND

For the first time in the history of federal water quality legislation,
PL 92-500 provided explicit directives for planning and subsequent im-
plementation of the 208 plans. Designation of DRCOG to prepare the
initial 208 Plan for Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Denver, and Jefferson
counties was the first step in the institutional process leading to
achievement of the 1983 goals.

When the initial 208 Plan is approved by the Governor, he will designate
two types of agencies with specific charters related to plan implementa-
tion: (1) an areawide planning agency to continue the regional planning
process and (2) management agencies for managing construction and opera-
tional aspects of the plan. The major change from past practices is the
designation of "management agencies," which are to be selected on the
basis of their capabilities in the area of water quality management.

This institutional relationship between areawide planning and implementa-
tion agencies is designed to provide the following benefits:

1. Section 208 planning ensures that the most cost effective regional
water quality management system is developed. Since 208 planning
considers impacts from both point source and nonpoint source pollu-
tion, local governments can control the effect of both sources upon
their water systems.

2. Section 201 planning deals with construction, operation, and mainte-
nance of facilities and places the responsibility for developing the
most cost effective local wastewater management systems on local
governments within the parameters of the 208 Plan.

3. Because of the mandatory areawide planning requirements of PL 92-500,
a local government can be assured that similar activities in adja-
cent areas are compatible with its own, and that it will not be ad-
versely impacted by activities in upstream areas.

The planning process of PL 92-500 consists of two basic elements: (1)
areawide planning at the multijurisdictional level under Section 208
and (2) facility planning by individual agencies under Section 201.
The 208 planning process takes a broad perspective related to facility
needs, scheduling, treatment levels, and setting priorities for needed
facilities. Management agencies decide on the need for and specific
characteristics of wastewater treatment processes and the details of
implementation within the parameters of the 208 Plan.
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4-2

INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS

The following five elements are essential aspects of the Clean Water Plan:

1. Management Agencies
2. Areawide Planning Agency
3. Nonpoint Sources
4. Regulatory Agencies
5. The 208 Planning Process

The interrelationships of these elements and close coordination of the
agencies involved will determine the success of the Clean Water Plan.

Management Agencies

Thirty-four management agencies designated by the Governor to implement
the 208 Plan will have the following authorities:

1. The authority to carry out the appropriate portions of the areawide
wastewater treatment management plan developed under Section 208 of
PL 92-500.

2. The authority to effectively manage wastewater treatment works and
related facilities serving the 208 area in conformance with the 208
Plan.

3. The authority, directly or by contract, to design and construct new
works and to operate and maintain new and existing works as required
by the 208 Plan.

4. The authority to accept and utilize grants and funds from other
sources for wastewater treatment management purposes. Management
agencies, after designation, are the only agencies authorized to
receive federal grants, though other agencies may receive grant
funds through designated agencies.

5. The authority to raise revenues, including the assessment of waste-
water treatment charges.

6. The authority to incur short- and long-term indebtedness.

7. The authority to assure, in implementation of the 208 wastewater
treatment management plan, that each participating community pays
its proportionate share of treatment costs.

8. The authority to refuse wastewater for treatment from any municipal-
ity or subdivision thereof which does not comply with any provision
of the 208 Plan applicable to such area.

9. The authority to accept industrial wastewater for treatment.
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4-3
Basins or service areas shown in Figure IV-1 will be the basis of assignment
of implementation responsibility. All existing wastewater treatment
agencies will be designated management agencies with the exception of
Longmont and Lyons which will be encompassed within the St. Vrain-Left
Hand Water Conservancy District. This will result in the designation
of 34 management agencies. Collection and interceptor agencies will
not be designated management agencies, but will rely upon the treatment
agency to which they are tributary for coordination and access to state
and federal grant funds.

A basin or service area approach is selected as the management concept
because water quality management issues and problems can be addressed
in a comprehensive manner by focusing on an entire basin or service area.
Since water quality problems and solutions are intergovernmental in
nature, an intergovernmental approach will be established among existing
local governments and wastewater management agencies within a basin or
area.

The basin or service area approach can effectively implement the tech-
nical program developed to meet PL 92-500 requirements. Management
agencies under this system will be in a position to effect administrative
cost savings associated with joint planning, engineering, legal, account-
ing, billing, purchasing, and other management activities for which each
of the 154 agencies must provide under the existing system. While the
decision on facilities planning will have a greater financial impact
than the decision on the institutional approach to be taken, the poten-
tial administrative cost savings associated with the basin approach
should not be overlooked.

Implementation of this approach requires only minor modifications, if
any, to existing legislation and minor changes in agency relationships
and procedures. Present planning and coordination requirements will
be greatly simplified. Each management agency is to be responsible for
plan implementation within its service area, including all tributary
collection and interceptor facilities. Plan implementation will be
conducted at the basin or area level by an association of the designated
management agencies within that basin or area as shown in Figure IV-1.
The 34 designated management agencies will form a committee to serve
as an advisory body to DRCOG for 208 related matters. Table IV-1 lists
management agencies to be designated by the Governor by basin or service
area. DRCOG will be responsible for coordinating the activities of the
management agency groups.

From the perspective of the wastewater treatment officials, orienting
management programs along natural drainage systems or existing service
areas is a logical and technically sound approach. From the perspec-
tive of local elected officials, the approach is potentially more effi-
cient than the existing system and, therefore, costs citizens less while
retaining local policy control.
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TABLE IV-1. Proposed Designated Management Agencies.
Basin or Area
Management Agencies
Littleton/Englewood Service
Area

Metro Service Area
Big Dry Basin
Coal Creek Basin
Littleton
Englewood

Aurora
Arvada
Denver
Glendale
Brighton
South Lakewood Sanitation District
Northwest Lakewood Sanitation District
South Adams County Water and Sanitation
-District
Crestview Water and Sanitation District
Hi-Land Acres Water and Sanitation District
Clear Creek Valley Water and Sanitation
District
Wheat Ridge Sanitation District
Metropolitan Denver Sewage Disposal
District Number One (MDSDD//1)

Broomfield
Westminster
Erie Water and
Lafayette
Louisville
Sanitation District
Boulder Creek Basin
Boulder
Nederland
Lake Eldora Water and Sanitation District
St. Vrain Basin
St. Vrain-Left Hand Water Conservancy
District
Jefferson County Mountain
Area
Plains Area
Evergreen Sanitation District
Genesee Water and Sanitation District
Kittredge Water and Sanitation District
Morrison Sanitation District
Mountain Water and Sanitation District
West Jefferson County Sanitation District

Deer Trail
Bennett Sanitation District
Byers Water and Sanitation District
Strasburg Water and Sanitation District
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4-8

Areawide Planning Agency

The Denver Regional Council of Governments will be designated by the
Governor to serve as the areawide planning agency and will have the
following responsibilities for the counties of Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder,
Denver, and Jefferson:

1. Continuous 208 water quality planning consistent with related areawide
environmental and land use planning efforts.

2. Providing guidance to management agencies in implementing the 208 Plan.

3. Annual 208 Plan updating, including population and land use forecasts,
wasteload allocations, needed facilities, construction scheduling,
and funding priorities.

4. Annual state certification of consistency with the basin water quality
plans developed by the Colorado Water Quality Control Commission.

5. Monitoring and evaluation of the plan implementation activities and
progress of designated management agencies.

6. Annual report on progress towards meeting the 1983 goals of PL 92-500.

For twenty years wastewater agencies in the five-county metropolitan Denver
area have worked together to solve water quality problems. In the late
1950s activities were initiated which led to the formation of the Metro-
politan Sewage Disposal District .Number One (MDSDD//1) . It began provid-
ing secondary treatment for primary treatment agencies in four counties
in 1966.

In the late 1960s all wastewater treatment, interceptor, and collection
agencies were inventoried to obtain, for the first time, a clear picture
of facilities throughout the region. During the same period, the Urban
Drainage and Flood Control District (UDFCD) was formed to control flood
waters. In the early 1970s, the "3C Plan" was developed setting forth
wastewater facility needs for a twenty-year period. The 3C Plan was
approved in 1974 for use on an interim basis, pending completion of an
areawide water quality plan meeting requirements of Section 208 of
PL 92-500.

DRCOG has been a major participant in all of these activities. It was
the lead agency in providing a forum for discussion regarding the forma-
tion of MDSDD and UDFCD. It conducted the facility inventory in 1968 and
was designated by the state to prepare both the 3C and 208 areawide water
quality plans.

Procedurally, since the late 1960s, DRCOG, as the federally designated A-95
Metropolitan Clearinghouse, has reviewed and commented on facility pro-
posals involving federal funds. Since 1971 the agency has conducted
site location reviews for all new or expanded facilities under an agree-
ment with the State Department of Health. Comments are based on con-
sistency with regional plans and whether or not the facility is designed,
sized, and located in a manner that meets water quality needs and protects
the environment. The emphasis of PL 92-500 is on water quality control
over an entire stream reach as it is affected by the policies and plans
of counties and municipalities throughout the region and adjacent areas.
-------
Nonpoint Sources

Water pollution from nonpoint sources includes runoff from urban areas
and agricultural, forestry, construction, and mining activities. PL
92-500 mandates establishing a process to control nonpoint pollution
sources. During the two-year 208 study, however, it was found that the
Denver area lacks the data and analytical base needed to determine specific
sources of nonpoint pollution and the beneficial affects of various
remedial actions. While it is generally agreed that nonpoint sources
cause water pollution, perhaps to a greater extent than point sources,
the lack of information in this area significantly affected the proposed
institutional approach to controlling urban runoff.

Management agencies for control of these pollution sources will not be
designated until completion of a one to three year program of data
collection and analysis conducted by DRCOG in cooperation with local,
regional, state, and federal agencies. This program will identify and
define specific sources, remedial measures, costs and funding sources,
action schedule, and identification of appropriate agencies to be respon-
sible for implementation.

Corrective programs will be directed at developing remedial measures to
alleviate pollution from existing sources. In some cases the authority
to develop such programs (such as municipal street cleaning and snow
removal) already exists. In other cases, such as controlling runoff
from existing residential or commercial developments, the legal authority
to require expenditure of funds for remedial runoff control projects
such as catch basins is questionable.

Preventive programs will be initiated to minimize the impact of poten-
tial new sources of nonpoint source pollution. These measures will be
in the form of local ordinances and regulations for controlling runoff
and could be incorporated into the development review process. General
purpose local governments possess the authority to develop such regula-
tory controls, but there is presently no state requirement that they do
so.

Regulatory Agencies

The traditional clearly defined role of local health departments in the
maintenance of safe water supplies will continue. The U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency's role is spelled out in PL 92-500 and its implementing
regulations.

The key agency is the Colorado Water Quality Control Commission, sup-
ported by the Water Quality Control Division of the State Health Depart-
ment. The Commission is ultimately responsible for achieving 'federal
water quality goals throughout the state and, as agent for the state,
has the following responsibilities:

1. Adopting a comprehensive program for the prevention, control, and
abatement of water pollution.
-------
4-10

2. Adopting and enforcing rules necessary to prevent, control, or abate
water pollution.

3. Adopting and promulgating water quality standards for the various
waters of the state.

4. Adopting standards for the discharge of wastes in order to attain and
maintain water quality standards.

5. Reviewing and approving the location of proposed sewage treatment
facilities.
6. Administering the national pollution discharge permit (NPDES) system.

7. Conducting statewide basin and 208 planning.
8. Approval of applications for state and federal construction grants.

In carrying out these responsibilities the state is responding to the
requiring of PL 92-500. Consequently, it will annually submit a
Colorado Program Plan to the EPA. The Program Plan will report the
progress the state is making in meeting the federally mandated water
quality goals and objectives and will include a prioritized list of waste-
water facilities to be funded during the coming year.

Although the state is responsible for statewide water quality planning
and enforcement, it is expected that it will continue to delegate much
responsibility to areawide agencies in accordance with programs developed
as part of the 208 areawide planning processes. In the Denver metropoli-
tan region, DRCOG will be the 208 continuing planning agency. As part
of the continuing coordination process between the state and its region-
al planning agencies the state is expected to establish the following
policies:

1. An annual production date for the Colorado 208 Program Plan.

2. A system for integrating project priority programs developed by
208 continuing planning agencies into a statewide project priority
list in coordination with the 208 planning agencies.

3. A date by which all 208 areawide planning agencies must submit their
annual 208 plan updates. It is expected that state consideration
of updated plans will be minimal since they will usually include
only a few changes within an established plan and presentation
format.

The 208 Planning Process

Federal regulations require that a "continuing planning process" be
established to meet requirements of PL 92-500. This process is envi-
sioned as having several distinct responsibilities including conducting
studies in support of ongoing 208 planning and local wastewater manage-
ment facilities planning, reviewing plans and proposals from local man-
agement agencies, and annually submitting a revised 208 plan to the state
describing regional water quality management activities that will be
conducted during the coming year. It will also include any changes in
facility needs or other planned actions in the ensuing five and twenty
year periods.
-------
4-11

EPA's State Continuing Planning Process Handbook presents the follow-
guidelines which will be followed by DRCOG:

1. Planning should guide management.
2. The planning process should be intergovernmental and integrated.
3. Local officials must be involved.
4. Areawide planning must be integrated with state planning.
5. The planning process should be flexible.
6. Priorities must be set using the planning process.
7. Deadlines should be specified.
8. Timing sequences must be set.
a. DRCOG will submit an annual update of its water quality
control plan to the state for inclusion in the state 208
Plan.
b. The annual updating process will include five-year capital
improvement programs which list all structural means of abating
point and nonpoint source pollution in order of priority.
c. A twenty-year planning sequence will consider land use changes,
changes in economic and demographic conditions, and resulting
future impacts on wastewater treatment facilities. This will
also be updated annually, with the five-year program included.
9. The continuing planning process must be broad in scope.
10. The continuing planning process should be coordinated with other
water quality planning efforts and with complementary system planning.
11. The continuing planning process should build on existing plans and
existing organizational arrangements.
12. Full public participation must be structured and encouraged.

The 208 annual plan updating process will involve the 34 management
agencies, DRCOG, the state, and EPA in the relationships depicted in
Figure IV-2, One representative of each management agency, three members
of a water quality subcommittee of the DRCOG Citizens Advisory Committee,
and three members of the Water Resources Advisory Committee will com-
prise a Water Quality Advisory Committee to DRCOG during preparation of
the annually updated Clean Water Plan and in determining construction
needs, scheduling, and priorities within the 208 Study Area.

Memorandum of Understanding

Each group of management agencies will function in accordance with a
Memorandum of Understanding regarding the preparation of the following
documents:

A summary of the Clean Water Plan implementation to date in the
basin.
A report on the relationship of local facility plans to the
Clean Water Plan.
Five Year Capital Improvement Program, including funding needs
for the basin.
Priority list for funding facilities in the basin.
List of updated A-95 reviews for the following year.
Report on local ability to implement the Clean Water Plan, prob-
lems being encountered, and proposed changes.
Revisions to the Clean Water Plan for the basin.
-------
4-12
DRCOG
\
'
GOVERNOR
CWQCC

/
U.S. EPA
REGIONAL
WATER QUALITY
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
METRO
Aurora
Arvada
Brighton
Denver
Glendale
*South Lakewood
*Northwest Lakewood
*South Adams
*Crestview
*Hi-Land
*Clear Creek
*Wheat Ridge
PLAINS
Deer Trail
*Bennett
*Byers
*Strasburg
COAL CREEK
*Erie
Lafayette
Louisville

*Special Districts
LITTLETON-ENGLEWOOD
Littleton
Englewood
BROOMFIELD-WESTMINSTER
Broomfield
Westminster
BOULDER CREEK
Boulder
Ned er land
*Lake Eldora
ST. VRAIN
St. Vrain Water Conservancy
District
JEFFERSON MOUNTAINS
*Evergreen
*Genesee
*Kittredge
*Morrison
*Mountain
*West Jefferson
FIGURE IV-2. Clean Water Plan Approval and Update Process.
-------
4-13

A Memorandum of Understanding will be developed between DRCOG and the
management agency groups, covering the following elements:

Schedule for preparation of the annual Clean Water Plan update.
Interim (semi-annual) plan amendment process.
Preparation of facility needs and scheduling in 5 year increments
up to 20 years.
Developing a priority listing for facility funding.
Providing information to DRCOG for clean water planning activities.
Information to be provided by DRCOG to management agencies.

At the end of two years, the effectiveness of the Memorandum of Under-
standing will be evaluated and one of the following courses of action
taken:

Continuation of the Memorandum of Understanding.
Revision of the Memorandum of Understanding.
Designation of fewer management agencies in each basin or subarea
and one of the above as appropriate.

At the end of five years after approval of the initial Clean Water Plan,
designation of only one management agency in each basin or service area
will be implemented if justified by appropriate analysis and local sup-
port. In the long term, if a form of metropolitan governance is estab-
lished in the Denver metropolitan area, wastewater management consolida-
tion into such an organization should be considered.

Project Review

The process will include annual submission of a project list by the
management agency groups to DRCOG, as specified in the Memorandum of
Understanding. DRCOG will review each project for which 208 planning
priority is requested according to the following criteria:

1. Extent to which the project is consistent with the Clean Water Plan.

2. Extent to which the project duplicates, opposes, or needs to be
coordinated with other projects.

3. Extent to which the project might be reviewed to increase its effec-
tiveness or efficiency.

4. Extent to which the project contributes to the achievements of
areawide objectives and priorities related to natural resources
and economic and community development.

5. Extent to which the proposed project significantly affects the
environment.

6. Extent to which the project contributes to more balanced settle-
ment and delivery of services to all sectors of area population
including minority groups.
-------
4-14

If a project is accepted based on these criteria, it will be eligible
for inclusion in the regional facility priority list prepared annually
by DRCOG.

If after positive review and priority assignment a project is not funded
in that year, it will automatically be included in the regional priority
list the following year unless subsequent studies indicate that the project
is no longer advisable. Project seniority will not necessarily have a
bearing on year-to-year priority ranking, however.

DRCOG will review new or expanded project proposals only once a year in
conjunction with the annual Clean Water Plan update process. The process
will be coordinated with state procedures. A semi-annual plan amendment
procedure will provide one other opportunity for plan changes, which, if
approved, will be incorporated into the subsequent plan update. Changes
in the plan at other times will be made only in exceptional circumstances.

Updated Clean Water Plan Approval

The first draft of the annually updated regional Clean Water Plan will
be submitted to each management agency for its review. DRCOG may modify
the plan to reflect management agency disagreements with regional project
priority listings or other program plan elements. After discussion and
appropriate revision, the annual Clean Water Plan will be officially
adopted by DRCOG and submitted to the state for recertification. The
state will then review the plan based on the following considerations:

1. Consistency with the basin or area plans developed by the Water
Quality Control Commission.

2. Compatibility with 208 plans in areas adjacent to the Denver 208
planning area.

3. Progress towards meeting the federal and state 1983 water quality
goals.

After recertification by the Governor, the updated plan will be submitted
to the EPA for approval.

Other Considerations

The Clean Water Plan, when certified and approved, will govern decisions
of state and federal agencies as to facility approval and grant funding.

Proposals for new, expanded, or replacement facilities will be reviewed
and approved by DRCOG only twice a year: (1) during the annual Clean
Water Plan updating process and (2) during an interim semi-annual plan
amendments as they affect their respective basins or areas and approve
such expansions or. extensions only at those times.

A-95 and site location review and approval of projects will be accom-
plished as part of the annual Clean Water Plan updating or semi-annual
plan amendment process. This approval and A-95 review will occur at the
completion of the 201 Step 1 facilities planning and no further review
-------
4-15

will be necessary unless the project or circumstances change substan-
tially.

Construction priorities will be set annually, consistent with state,
basin or area, and areawide criteria as appropriate. Three priority
lists will be prepared for each basin or area to be' incorporated into
similar areawide lists as follows: (1) facilities planning (201),
(2) engineering and design, and (3) construction.

The annual Clean Water Plan updating process will be consistent with
the annual state plan preparation and priority setting process.

Procedures and criteria for designating management agencies will be
developed by DRCOG with the assistance of local agencies.

The state's technical criteria for determining funding priorities
should remain the same from year to year with annual policy changes
as appropriate.

Grant funds should be allocated to 208 planning areas with policy guidance
as to use with a reserve retained by the state for contingencies.
-------
APPENDIX D

TECHNICAL REPORT
SUMMARY
DRAFT

CLEAN WATER PROGRAM
-------
Technical Report

Summary

DRRFT
For
Discussion Purposes
Only

Clean WWW
Water WWW
Program WWW
WWW

„ .. . ^^
Denver Regional
Council Of Governments
-------
SUMMARY REPORT
DENVER REGIONAL COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS

CLEAN WATER PROGRAM
MARCH 1977
The preparation of this document was financed by an areawide water
quality management planning grant from the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency.
-------
This document has been prepared for the convenience of citizens
and governmental officials involved in the 208 Clean Water Program.
It summarizes the Technical Report Draft, dated March 1977. For
more detailed information and documentation, contact DRCOG.
Consultant reports will also be available for review and the staff
will be on hand to answer your questions or discuss your concerns.
-------
CONTENTS

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
INTRODUCTION TO THE CLEAN WATER PROGRAM
WATER RESOURCE SYSTEM 1
Water Quality Planning Issues 3
INSTITUTIONAL ALTERNATIVES 3
The 208 Planning Process 4
Levels of Planning 4
208 Planning Agency Designation 5
Management Agencies . . . . ; 7
Management Approaches 8
County Designation as Planning and Management Agency ... 9
Management of Nonpoint Source Pollution Controls 10
POPULATION AND LAND USE IMPACTS 10
Population Projections and Wasteload Allocations 11
Study Area Land Use Plans 11
CONTROL MEASURES 13
Nonstructural Controls for Nonpoint Source Pollution ... 13
Structural Control Measures 14
Treatment Systems for MDSDD//1 16
REUSE/SUCCESSIVE USE OF WASTEWATER 17
Wastewater Reuse Projects 17
Reuse Projects Proposed by the City of Aurora 18
Reuse Projects Proposed by the Denver Water Board .... 19
Water Rights Aspects 19
WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITIES 20
Infiltration/Inflow Impact 21
Point Source Flows 21
Industrial Wastewater Treatment Facilities 23
Industrial Residual Waste Disposal 23
NONPOINT SOURCE POLLUTION 24
iii
-------
CONTENTS (Continued)

WATER QUALITY PLANNING ALTERNATIVES 25
Wasteload Allocations 25
Wasteload Allocation Methodology 26
Allocations According to Stream Classification
Alternatives 28
Equal Treatment Method 28
Cost Effective Treatment Method 28
Mountain and Plains Area Allocations 29
Wasteload Allocation Cost Estimates 29
Wasteload Allocation Violations 31
ACHIEVABILITY OF 1983 GOALS 32
Point and Nonpoint Source Controls 32
REGIONAL MONITORING SYSTEM 33
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS 33
FINANCIAL PROGRAM 35
Financial Strategies 36
Financial Criteria and Evaluation Methodology 36
Preliminary Financial Plans 37
REVIEW OF THE 208 CLEAN WATER PROGRAM 38
iv
-------
CLEAN WATER PROGRAM

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

(For discussion purposes only)
MANAGEMENT AGENCIES

Conclusions: Independent activities of 150 wastewater agencies
make coordination of decisions and operations ex-
tremely difficult within the 208 Study Area.

Treatment agencies provide a focal point for manage-
ment of the treatment process and for decisions
affecting scheduling and sizing of interceptors and
collector systems.

The basin-oriented approach provides for local con-
trol of decisions, but recognizes the need for a
multijurisdictional perspective.

Where intergovernmental agreements exist, they pro-
vide a good basis for management coordination.
Where such agreements do not exist, coordinative
mechanisms should be established.

The lack of data regarding nonpoint source water
pollution makes it impractical to assign management
responsibility in that area at this time.

Recommendations; For the short term, basins and service areas should
be the basis of revised institutional arrangements.

All district and municipal treatment agencies as of
July 1, 1977, should be designated management agen-
cies, except the cities of Longmont and Lyons and
the Niwot Sanitation District which will be within
the St. Vrain-Left Hand Conservancy District and
the Highline Park Water and Sanitation District
which will be represented by the Supervisory Group
of Littleton/Englewood management agency.

One representative of each management agency, three
members of a water subcommittee of the DRCOG Cit-
izens Advisory Committee, and three members of the
Water Resources Advisory Committee should comprise
a Water Quality Advisory Committee to the desig-
nated 208 planning agency.

Management agencies should not be designated at
this time for control of urban runoff or pollution
resulting from agricultural, construction, forestry,
and mining activities.
-------
Proposed Designated Management Agencies.
Basin or Area
Management Agencies
Littleton/Englewood Service
Area

Metro Service Area
Big Dry Basin
Littleton
Englewood

Aurora
Arvada
Denver .
Glendale
Brighton
South Lakewood Sanitation District
Northwest Lakewood Sanitation District
South Adams County Water and Sanitation
District
Crestview Water and Sanitation District
Hi-Land Acres Water and Sanitation District
Clear Creek Valley Water and Sanitation
District
Wheat Ridge Sanitation District
Metropolitan Denver Sewage Disposal
District Number One (MDSDD#1)

Broomfield
Westminster
Coal Creek Basin
Boulder Creek Basin
St. Vrain Basin
Erie Water and Sanitation District
Lafayette
Louisville

Boulder
Nederland
Lake Eldora Water and Sanitation District

St. Vrain-Left Hand Water Conservancy
District
Jefferson County Mountain
Area
Plains Area
Evergreen Sanitation District
Genesee Water and Sanitation District
Kittredge Water and Sanitation District
Morrison Sanitation District
Mountain Water and Sanitation District
West Jefferson County Sanitation District

Deer Trail
Bennett Sanitation District
Byers Water and Sanitation District
Strasburg Water and Sanitation District
-------
A model "Memorandum of Understanding" for each manage-
ment agency group within the 208 Study Area should be
prepared.by the designated 208 planning agency.

At the end of five years after approval of the initial
208 Plan, if justified by appropriate analysis and local
support, only one management agency should be designated
for each basin or service area.

A form of metropolitan governance should be established
in the future with enforcement and veto powers including
the responsibility of wastewater management if justified
by appropriate analysis.
208 PLANNING AGENCY
Conclusions:
Recommendations:
Wastewater planning and resultant decision making need
to be coordinated on an areawide basis to achieve the
1983 water quality goals.

The 208 areawide wastewater treatment planning process
and the A-95 Metropolitan Clearinghouse process should
be vested in the same agency.

DRCOG has experience in developing and coordinating
water supply, sewer, transportation, criminal justice,
recreation, housing, land use, and other regional
programs and plans.

DRCOG has the requisite legal basis and experience in
208 areawide planning.

DRCOG, on behalf of local governments, can accomplish
effective 208 areawide wastewater treatment planning,
and, by being involved in the process at the regional
level, local governments can effectively implement the
plan.

DRCOG, as an organization of elected officials, pro-
vides an alternative perspective to wastewater imple-
mentation processes operated independently of other
governmental concerns.

DRCOG should be designated the continuing 208 Areawide
Planning Agency for Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Denver,
and Jefferson counties.

A "Memorandum of Understanding" should be developed
between DRCOG and each of the management agency groups
regarding the process arid procedures to be used in
208 areawide planning and plan implementation.
-------
POINT SOURCES

Conclusions:
Recommendations:
DRCOG should be responsible for updating the 208 Plan
annually and obtaining recertification by the Governor
each year.

DRCOG should undertake cooperative programs of data
collection, analysis, and interpretation of nonpoint
source pollution problems with local, regional, state,
and federal agencies.
Point sources are the major pollutant generators dur-
ing low flow periods.

Point sources are the key contributors of ammonia
which is toxic to fish.

Even with countrol of point sources to the highest
level, year-around attainment of water quality stand-
ards is not possible.

The attainment of 1983 goals through point source
controls is not possible without expensive nonstruc-
tural and structural nonpoint source controls.

Implementation of major point source controls must be
evaluated as to the actual benefits derived from
changes in beneficial use of wastewater.

Continuation of smaller treatment facilities should be
encouraged because of the higher potential for waste-
water reuse and stream flow augmentation.

Wastewater reuse (successive use) plans for treatment
facilities should be encouraged for both water quality
benefits and overall water management benefits.

The recommended stream classification system shown in
the figure and table contained in these conclusions
and recommendations should be the basis for discharge
permits, and design and construction of municipal
facilities during the next several years.

Facilities planning by management agencies should con-
tinue to consider treatment alternatives compatible
with 1983 goals during low flow periods.

Facilities planning should consider systems capable
of meeting the 1985 goal through low cost processes
such as agricultural reuse.
-------
NONPOINT SOURCES

Conclusions:
On a regional scale nonpoint source pollution is a
problem.

Data is not available to identify specific nonpoint
pollution sources or the impact of specific pollution
control measures.
Recommendations:
Substantially more pollutant loading occurs from non-
point sources than point sources in every basin but
the Lower South Platte based on an average annual load-
ing.

Major water quality problems occur with respect to fecal
coliform and phosphate (PO,).

Problems occur sporadically and with different frequency
each year.

Nonstructural controls could reduce pollutant loading
by 30% to 40% but still not meet stream standards.

Structural facilities are costly, but stream standards
will be met if adequate point source controls are im-
plemented.

A nonstructural control program for general water
quality improvement should be implemented.

Structural controls should be eliminated from further
consideration until the continuing planning process
identifies site specific problems and control measures.

A monitoring program should be implemented to gather
data necessary for site-specific problem identification
and to estimate control measure effectiveness.
-------
Recommended Plan for Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants.
Facility
Littleton/Englewood
South Lakewood
MDSDD#1
South Adams County
Brighton
Glendale
Sand Creek
Golden
Big Dry Creek
Louisville
Lafayette
Erie
Boulder
Longmont
Mountains
Plains
Alt.
Level
2
2
4
4
4
2
4
2
3
2
2
2
2
4
1
4
Cost1
(Millions)
48.1
6.8
97.1
7.5
4.1
1.8
16.0
9.9
15.3
4.2
6.9
2.6
24.2
6.2
5.0
1.3
Effluent Requirements
BOD
5
5
20
20
20
5
20
5
5
5
5
5
5
20
20
20
NH3-N
1
1
18
18
18
1
18
1
0-32
1
1
1
1
18
9/153
15
NO^N1*
1
1
-
-
-
1
-
1
15
1
1
1
1
-
-
-
(mg/1)
PO.-P
4
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
0.3
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
1These present worth costs reflect capital for facilities and inter-
ceptors and operation and maintenance of the facilities, interceptors,
and collection systems through the year 2000.
2Full-time nitrification with part-time breakpoint chlorination for
total ammonia removal.
3Bear Creek requires nitrification to 9 mg/1 of NH,-N, but all other
mountain and plains areas are 15 mg/1 NH -N as given in the Mountain
and Eastern Plains Water Quality Study.
**Dash indicates that nitrate will not be a problem unless discharges
are excessive.
-------
PAGE NOT
AVAILABLE
DIGITALLY
-------
INTRODUCTION TO THE CLEAN WATER PROGRAM

The Denver area 208 Clean Water Program was developed in response to
federal legislation entitled "Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amend-
ments of 1972" (Public Law 92-500). This legislation mandated the
achievement of two national goals: (1) that wherever attainable, an
interim goal of water quality which provides for the protection and
propagation of fish, shellfish, and wildlife, and provides for recreation
in and on the water be achieved by July 1, 1983," and (2) "that the dis-
charge of pollutants into navigable waters be eliminated by 1985." In
July 1974, the Governor designated the Denver Regional Council of Govern-
ments the "Areawide Waste Treatment Management Planning Agency" for the
five county Denver metropolitan area. The DRCOG 208 Clean Water Program
evaluates the national goals and their attainability in the Denver area
with respect to financial, environmental, social, and economic impacts.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is charged with the implementa-
tion of the federal program. In turn, the EPA has requested that the
Governor's Office assume the responsibility of certifying areawide 208
plans throughout the state. Upon approval by the Governor, the plans
will be forwarded to the EPA which is the major funding source for water
quality management programs. In fact, the Clean Water Program has been
funded by the EPA in the amount of $1.25 million.

The 208 Plan which will be submitted to the Governor's Office for certi-
fication will be the result of cooperative efforts involving citizens'
groups; wastewater treatment management personnel; professional consult-
ants; federal, state, and local governmental agencies; and the Water
Quality Management Task Force. The Task Force, comprised of citizens
with varied interests and points of view, was formed by DRCOG to oversee
the progress of the program, select consultants, and review and approve
major plan recommendations. Plan alternatives are now under consider-
ation by all of these agencies and groups as presented in the DRCOG
Clean Water Program Technical Report Draft of March 1977.

WATER RESOURCE SYSTEM

In addition to the federal water quality goals, the primary objectives
for the Denver area Clean Water Program are (1) to determine technical
solutions to regional pollution problems and (2) to establish a manage-
ment system for implementing a plan to maintain clean water for various
uses. The plan must consider the most economical and realistic methods
to assure that water quality of every stream within the study area meets
state standards established by the Water Quality Control Commission.
To make this determination the study area was divided into subregions
according to stream basins and wastewater treatment service areas. Water
quality was monitored in all stream reaches (segments of similar char-
acter) and an analysis prepared of water quality impacts in each reach.

From the southern part of the Denver metropolitan area to the northern
counties, study area subregions are briefly described as follows:
-------
South Platte River Basins; Upper South Platte (284 sq. mi.) from Jefferson
County line to the Town of Kassler.

South Metro (163 sq. mi.) from Kassler to Engle-
wood, including Chatfield and Littleton.

Lakewood (36 sq. mi.) including the City of
Lakewood and Edgewater.

Lower South Platte (97 sq. mi.) northeast of
metropolitan Denver including the City of
Brighton.

Bear Creek Basin (260 sq. mi.) from the mountains west of Evergreen to the
South Platte River in Englewood, including Evergreen, Morrison, and small
mountain communities.

Cherry Creek Basin (409 sq. mi.) from El Paso County to its confluence
with the South Platte River near Larimer and Speer Blvd., including the
cities of Denver and Glendale.

Sand Creek Basin (183 sq. mi.) from the plains southeast of Denver to
the confluence of Sand Creek and the South Platte in metropolitan Denver,
including Commerce City and the City of Aurora.

Clear Creek Basin (575 sq. mi.) from the mountains in Clear Creek County
to the confluence of Clear Creek and the South Platte near Adams City,
including Golden and Arvada.

Big Dry Creek Basin (111 sq. mi.) from Rocky Flats area to the South
Platte north of Ft. Lupton, including Standley Lake, Broomfield, West-
minster, and Northglenn.

Coal Creek Basin (65 sq. mi.) from the mountains northwest of Arvada to
the confluence of Coal Creek and Boulder Creek just north of Erie, in-
cluding Superior, Louisville, and Lafayette.

Boulder Creek Basin (366 sq. mi.) from the mountains west of Nederland
to the confluence of Boulder Creek and the St. Vrain downstream of
Longmont, including South Boulder Creek drainage area from west of
Eldorado Springs.

St. Vrain Creek Basin (976 sq. mi.) from the mountains west of Lyons
to the confluence of the St. Vrain with the South Platte near Platteville,
including the cities of Longmont, Lyons, and Niwot.

The water resource system includes takitig raw water from streams, lakes,
and reservoirs; treating it for human consumption; distributing it to
the water user; collecting and treating the returned wastewater; and
discharging it into area streams, lakes, and reservoirs. In addition
to the surface water sources, the Denver metropolitan area utilizes
groundwater from wells and transmountain diversion water from the western
slope. Groundwater quality is affected by surface water seepage and is
a consideration of the Clean Water Program. Transmountain water added
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to local water courses receives the same treatment as local supplies. The
addition of transmountain water to local streams has increased stream flow
in some areas, thus improving acquatic habitat. Municipal and industrial
wastewater discharges and agricultural return flows have increased stream
flow in areas of historic low flow such as in Sand Creek and the Lower
South Platte. These discharges have also degraded water quality in area
streams.

Water Quality Planning Issues

The basin analysis indicated that the major water quality planning issues
revolve around controlling both point and nonpoint source pollution and
establishing an effective management system to assure that federal and
state water quality goals are met. Point sources are municipal and in-
dustrial wastewater treatment facilities. Nonpoint sources are pollutant
generators resulting from human activity on land surfaces such as urban
runoff; agricultural uses of herbicides and pesticides; and construction,
mining, and forestry activities resulting in stream degradation. The
Technical Report details specific water quality issues for each basin.

Point sources can be regulated to maintain discharges within acceptable
limits through plant improvements and utilization of new technologies.
Control of nonpoint source pollution is much more difficult since it
occurs over a wide area. If nonpoint source^pollution overrides point
source treatment solutions and continues to degrade the streams below
federal and state water quality standards, major investments in plant
improvements may not be practical.

Various methods of point source controls are considered in the Technical
Report along with suggestions for nonpoint source pollution control.
Implementation of these controls depends upon the water quality manage-
ment system utilized to enforce treatment levels and monitor nonpoint
sources.

INSTITUTIONAL ALTERNATIVES

At present more than 150 wastewater management agencies are functioning
within the 208 Study Area. Implementation of the Clean Water Program
is dependent upon the cooperation of these agencies and federal and
state regulatory agencies. With increased federal involvement in
establishing environmental standards and funding programs for local
governments to meet federal and state requirements, it is necessary to
develop a coordinative structure to collect data, prepare documentation,
and anticipate regional impacts from the many plans and programs already
underway. This involves two types of administrative responsibility:
planning and management.

The Governor is responsible for designation 208 planning agencies for
areawide planning in Colorado. He is also responsible for designating
one or more management agencies within each planning area. The major
stipulation for areawide planning agency designation is that the plan-
ning board be comprised of "elected officials from local governments
or their designees." PL 92-500 designates certain authorities that
management agencies must have to qualify for federal funding.
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The 208 Planning Process

Federal regulations require that areawide water quality management include
a "continuing planning process" to meet the requirements of PL 92-500.
The continuing planning process envisioned by the EPA is a dynamic process
Involving participation at all governmental levels by citizens within the
study area. In clarifying the 208 planning process it is necessary to
define agency relationships, procedures for reconciling disputes, and
processes for reaching decisions about water quality issues. This can
only be accomplished through close interagency cooperation and citizen
input.

The following principles are suggested by the EPA for a continuing planning
process:

1. Planning should guide management.
2. The planning process should be intergovernmental and integrated.
3. Local officials must be involved.
4. Areawide planning must be integrated with state planning.
5. The planning process should be flexible.
6. Priorities must be set using the planning process.
7. Deadlines should be specified.
8. Timing sequences must be set.
a. The 208 planning agency will submit an annual update of its
water quality control plan to the state for inclusion in the
state 208 Plan.
b. The annual updating process will include five-year capital
improvement programs which list all structural means of abating
point and nonpoint source pollution in order of priority.
c. A twenty-year planning sequence will consider land use changes,
changes in economic and demographic conditions, and resulting
future impacts on wastewater treatment facilities. This will
also be updated annually.
9. The continuing planning process must be broad in scope.
10. The continuing planning process should be coordinated with other vater
quality planning efforts and with complementary system planning.
11. The continuing planning process should build on existing plans and
existing organizational arrangements.
12. Full public participation must be structured and encouraged.

Levels of Planning

The Clean Water Program deals with three levels of planning: policy,
program, and project. Water quality planning policies are set at several
different levels of government. At the federal level the EPA has shifted
from its traditional emphasis on facility planning to stressing nonstruc-
tural remedies to pollution and preventive rather than remedial actions.
By explicit policy, the EPA has also transferred most decision making re-
lated to facility construction and improvement to the state.

The Water Quality Control Commission sets policies through its permitting
and monitoring programs. By setting priorities for facilities and by
enforcing or not enforcing state regulations the Commission will affect
local water pollution control programs. On the regional level DRCOG
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has been responsible for policy making related to wastewater treatment in
the five county area for almost twenty years. Whether DRCOG continues as
the 208 Planning Agency or whether another regional agency receives that
designation, the functions of reconciling areawide needs and providing a
forum for setting regional policies for water quality management will have
to continue.

Program planning involves the determination of what is to be accomplished
to remedy specific water pollution problems. Like policy planning, pro-
gram planning will be done at different levels of government. The EPA
is responsible for major pollution control progams in accordance with
PL 92-500. However, the Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Land Management,
U.S. Department of Agriculture, and other federal agencies are involved
in continuing planning processes as well.

At the state level, point sources are handled by the Water Quality Control
Commission which administers most water quality related activities. Non-
point pollution regulatory programs are dispersed throughout several state
agencies. The Colorado 208 Planning Coordination Council, established
by the Governor specifically to oversee areawide 208 planning, has the
responsibility of coordinating all 208 planning activities of state agencies.

Areawide water quality program planning will be done primarly through the
208 program, but must relate to other planning efforts affecting water
quality such as land use planning, growth management, transportation, etc.
Human service programs including social services, manpower, and physical
and mental health must be coordinated with the Clean Water Program con-
tinuing planning process.

Project planning is primarily a local governmental function accomplished
under Section 201 of PL 92-500. The primary consideration of the area-
wide planning agency relative.to project planning will be the reconcili-
ation of conflicting demands for facility construction. Regional priori-
ties among facilities must be set and recommended to the state. Because
many new facilities will be required to meet the 1983 goals in the Denver
metropolitan area, priority setting has already been initiated through
the 208 planning process.

208 Planning Agency Designation

Five alternatives have been considered as planning agency possibilities
in the metropolitan Denver area:

1. A state agency.
2. Counties.
3. All wastewater management agencies.
4. Basin or service area agencies.
5. A regional operating agency.
6. The Denver Regional Council of Governments.

The requirements of PL 92-500 appear broad enough to encompass most of
these alternatives.
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A state agency. The Colorado Water Quality Control Division has the
responsibility for ensuring that 208 planning is accomplished statewide
and is actually preparing plans for areas lacking 208 planning agencies.
The state could also assume the responsibility for preparing the Denver
area 208 Plan. In spite of its role in working with existing agencies,
the state lacks experience in developing coordinative approaches to
planning where participation of agencies areawide is required. It has
traditionally deferred to regional councils of government such as DRCOG
for this type of coordination.

Counties. Each of Colorado's 63 counties could be designated 208 plan-
ning agencies. Boulder County has asked DRCOG to investigate this 208
planning designation option as well as designation of Boulder County as
a management agency. One reservation is that the resulting fragmenta-
tion of wastewater planning programs according to political rather than
natural boundaries will not lend itself to effective coordination of
planning activities beneficial to all jurisdictions sharing common water
resources.

All Wastewater Agencies. Each of the 150 wastewater management agencies
could be designated a 208 planning agency if it met the necessary re-
quirements of PL 92-500. However, the same fragmentation and lack of
"areawide" interest would result as discussed under the county designa-
tion. An additional coordinative structure would have to be established
to respond to the regional planning requirements of the legislation.

Basin or Service Area Agencies. A basin-oriented agency which could
coordinate wastewater management activities throughout the basin would
be a logical choice for designation as a 208 areawide planning agency.
However, the broad range of regional impacts would not be involved in
this approach, although other planning concerns affecting water quality
in the basin would be addressed by the 208 planning agency.

A Regional Operating Agency. A regional service authority, a metropolitan
council, or a single-purpose regional wastewater agency could be desig-
nated the 208 planning agency. A regional service authority or metro-
politan council could consider all aspects of area planning activity
related to water quality control. A single-purpose agency would be
limited to consideration of water quality planning and another coordin-
ative process would be required to tie its activities to the efforts of
other regional planning agencies. The advantage of this approach is that
is separates planning responsibilities from the day-to-day activities of
management agencies and offers a broader perspective of regional concerns.

The Denver Regional Council of Governments. DRCOG is governed by a board
of elected officials with a broad, multifunctional perspective that
interrelates planning activities and their effects within the Denver
metropolitan area. With a twenty-year history of areawide water quality
planning and designation as the 208 areawide waste management agency,
it is in a good position to provide continuing planning services to the
study area. DRCOG has had the experience of coordinating interjurisdic-
tonal activities in mutually beneficial ways with locally elected officials
meeting together to decide priorities and funding for facilities needed at
the local level.
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Management Agencies

Although PL 92-500 addresses areawide planning, the planning and manage-
ment processes it encourages also pertain to subregional planning and
management. One of the major benefits to local goverments from partici-
pating in the 208 program is that future federal construction grants will
be contingent upon the existence of and compliance with an adopted 208
plan. The implementation of a cost effective regional water quality man-
agement system will benefit citizens on both local and regional levels.
To accomplish this goal it is necessary that designated management agen-
cies comply with the management requirements of PL 92-500 and with the
provisions of the areawide 208 Plan. The following local planning
benefits accrue from such compliance:

1. Section 208 planning ensures that the most cost effective regional
water quality management system is developed. Since 208 planning
considers impacts from both point source and nonpoint source pollu-
tion, local governments can be cognizant of the effect of both
sources upon their water systems.

2. Section 201 planning, which deals with construction, operation, and
maintenance of facilities, places the responsibility on local agen-
cies to develop the most cost effective systems for wastewater
management control within the parameters of the 208 Plan.

3. Because of the mandatory areawide planning requirements of PL 92-500,
a local government can be assured that similar activities in adjacent
areas are compatible with its own and that it will not be adversely
impacted by activities in upstream areas.

The following agency authorities are required for designation as a
208 management agency:

1. The authority to carry out the appropriate portions of the areawide
wastewater treatment management plan.

2. The authority to effectively manage wastewater treatment works and
related facilities in conformance with the 208 Plan.

3. The authority, directly or by contract, to design and construct new
works and to operate and maintain new and existing works as required
by the 208 Plan.

4. The authority to accept and utilize grants and other funds for waste-
water management purposes.

5. The authority to raise revenues, including the assessment of waste-
water treatment charges.

6. The authority to incur short- and long-term indebtedness.

7. The authority to assure that each participating community pays its
proportionate share of treatment costs.
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8

8. The authority to refuse wastewater for treatment from any municipality
or subdivision thereof which does not comply with 208 Plan provisions.

9. The authority to accept industrial wastewater for treatment.

Management Approaches

Six alternatives were considered for establishing the water quality man-
agement system in the 208 Study Area:

1. Continuation of the existing system.
2. Basin or service area approach.
3. Regional service authority.
4. Metropolitan council.
5. State-oriented approach.
6. Single-purpose agency approach.

Basically due to the lack of statutory authority, the metropolitan council,
state-oriented, and single-purpose agency approaches were eliminated from
final consideration. The Water Quality Management Task Force decided that
the immediate implementation of a regional service authority would face
serious impediments because of citizen opposition, apathy, and general
timing uncertainty. Therefore, a short-term approach and a long-range
objective were recommended by the Task Force. The short-term approach is
the basin or service area alternative. The long-term objective is an un-
defined "form of metropolitan governance with veto power," perhaps similar
to a regional service authority.

Many local officials expressed a preference for a network of subregional
management agencies. The basin or service area approach appears to be
acceptable since it can be accomplished in a way that allows local control
to be maintained and guarantees local policy input. This approach also
allows water quality management issues to be addressed in a comprehensive
manner throughout the entire basin or service area. Since most water
quality problems and solutions are intergovernmental in nature, the manage-
ment agency under this system would be in a position to effect administra-
tive cost savings associated with joint planning, engineering, legal,
accounting, billing, purchasing, and other administrative activities for
which each wastewater treatment agency is responsible under the existing
system.

Implementation of the basin or service area approach would require only
minor modifications to existing legislation and minor changes in agency
relationships and procedures. Planning and coordination requirements
would be greatly simplified. Each management agency would be responsible
for coordinating the wastewater treatment activities within its jurisdic-
tion. Representatives from each of the treatment facilities would partici-
pate on an advisory committee to the management agency to assure local
input. A representative of the management agency would serve on an advis-
ory committee to the regional planning agency.

The long-term objective of metropolitan governance will probably emerge
during the process of implementing the 208 continuing planning process
when interagency relationships are better defined and actual needs of the
planning program to accomplish the 1983 goals are determined.
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County Designation as Planning and Management Agency

As previously mentioned, Boulder County through its Consortium of Cities
asked DRCOG to assess the feasibility of county designation as both plan-
ning and management agency under the 208 program. Based upon the follow-
ing considerations, it appears that such a designation would not be in
the best interest of continuing areawide planning processes required by
PL 92-500.

1. Legal eligibility. It is not clear that Boulder County could be
legally designated an areawide planning agency because it does not
meet the requirement that the areawide agency be comprised of "elected
officials from local governments or their designees." The final de-
cision, however, rests with the Governor.

2. Technical plan implementability. The technical aspects of the 208
Plan could be effectively implemented by designation of Boulder
County as a management agency. Designation of the county as an
areawide planning agency, however, will not necessarily facilitate
plan implementation or achievement of water quality standards.

3. Authority related to plan implementation. Planning agency designation
may improve the county's ability to implement the 208 Plan within its
jurisdictions, but areawide planning authority is not essential to
plan implementation.

A. Land use control. Planning agency designation may increase land use
control at the county level, but actual control may diminish as suc-
cessful challenges to the application of water quality controls to
land use and growth management are brought to the courts.

5. Local government acceptability. Boulder County municipalities are
assured sufficient input into the continuing planning process re-
gardless of which agency is designated the 208 planning agency.
However, efficiency and coordination objectives would be more easily
achieved if only one planning agency served Boulder County and its
neighbors.

6. Ease of plan administration. The 208 Plan will be more difficult to
administer if more than one planning agency is designated for an area
with similar interests.

7. Cooperation with state agencies. Coordination of Department of Health,
Water Quality Control Commission, and other 208 Study Area agencies
involved in water quality planning will become more complex with two
areawide planning agencies operating within the Denver metropolitan
area.

8. Interfunctional coordination. Less effective consideration of impacts
of other functional systems on water quality within the region may
result from county designation as a planning agency.

9. Regional coordination. Coordination of planning and service delivery
agencies areawide may require additional mechanisms if the county
receives a separate planning agency designation.
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10

Management of Nonpoint Source Pollution Controls

PL 92-500 mandates the establishment of nonpoint pollution source controls.
However, the data and analytical base necessary for determining the sources
of nonpoint pollution and the benefits of remedial actions are lacking for
the study area. Research and monitoring activities of the 208 continuing
planning process will generate more information for future analysis and
decision making. Meanwhile, it is suggested that the Urban Drainage and
Flood Control District which is already responsible for flood and urban
runoff quantity control could become involved with water quality control
as well.

POPULATION AND LAND USE IMPACTS

The rate and type of growth experienced by a region can significantly im-
pact the quality of the area's water resources; however, only in recent
years have attempts been made to quantify that impact. The Clean Water
Program attempts to define development impacts on water quality and pro-
poses measures to mitigate negative impacts. In order to accomplish this,
historical development data and population forecasts have been developed
for the Denver area. Land use criteria have been suggested for control
of water pollution resulting from land use activities, especially urban-
ization.

During the past two decades the study area has experienced a growth rate
double that of the national average. If the growth rate of the early 1970s
were to continue, the Denver metropolitan region population would exceed
three million in the year 2000. Since 1973 regional development planning
has been guided by a set of policies adopted by DRCOG which established
desired levels and locations for future growth and provided guidelines
for more detailed planning. These policies include the following:

1. A population level below 2,350,000 should be encouraged for the Denver
Metropolitan Statistical Area by the year 2000.

2. The central business district of Denver will be encouraged as the
major high density core of business, cultural, governmental, commer-
cial, and residential activity. Major high density corridors to the
east, west, and south of the central business district shall be en-
couraged .

3. Several major activity centers shall be encouraged in the metropolitan
area.

4. Low density residential growth should be encouraged only in locations
contiguous to existing urban areas while considering local environ-
mental or social concerns affecting the location of specific development.

5. New industrial development should be encouraged only in areas where
environmental hazards can be effectively controlled or minimized.

6. Major unique urban areas will be encouraged to remain unique and not
allowed to expand into nondescript, low density urban sprawl.
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11

7. Major areas of environmental, agricultural, historic, and archaeolog-
ical significance shall remain in natural open or low density urban
condition.

8. The Regional Housing Plan directed at the provision of a decent home
for every family, and in particular low and moderate income groups,
shall be an integral component of all land use planning, particularly
in relation to transportation, employment opportunities, and social
services.

These policies were reevaluated in 1975-76 to determine the viability of
the 2,350,000 population forecast. They were determined to be still valid.

In addition to the DRCOG forecast, two other relevant forecasts were con-
sidered: (1) the Colorado Division of Planning forecast recommended for
use by the Colorado Water Quality Control Commission and (2) the U.S.
Office of Business and Economic Research Service (OBERS) forecast which
is used by federal agencies, including the EPA. The Colorado Division of
Planning forecast projects a range of 1,612,189 to 2,417,275 for the year
2000. OBERS forecast, based on an allocation of national population
projections, is 1,980,000 in the year 2000. However, based on recent
growth trends, Colorado will probably continue to receive a larger per-
centage of migration than projected by the, national forecast.

Population Projections and Wasteload Allocations

Increasing population means increasing amounts of discharges from waste-
water treatment plants. The population data used in the Clean Water
Program analysis was derived in three steps: (1) a reliable set of current
population data was developed to determine per capita flows and calibrate
sampling data; (2) two alternative population projections were provided to
test initial water quality management alternatives; and (3) a final set of
population forecasts was prepared for use in the analysis and preparation
of the 208 Plan. The table on page 13 presents the alternative population
projections for each basin of the study area. To allocate regional popu-
lation forecasts to the basins, a computer model was employed. This model,
knows as the EMPIRIC Activity Allocation Model, distributes a wide range
of activities, including households, population, and employment, by numer-
ous subcategories to the basin areas. The model requires a set of planning
policy inputs to determine the impact of alternative policy decisions on
regional growth.

Study Area Land Use Plans

The EMPIRIC model was also used to allocate land use to basin areas using
the regional land use plan as the information base. Since no local data
set comparable to the EMPIRIC model allocations was available, DRCOG de-
veloped a set of local land use plan data for comparison with the computer
allocations. Adjustments in land use allocations based on developable
versus overdeveloped areas were made. Local plans indicate more open
space or undeveloped areas than are presented in the regional plan.
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12
Reallocation of Adopted Regional Subarea Population
Allocations To Basins, 1975-2000.
Basin
St. Vrain
Boulder Creek
Coal Creek
Big Dry Creek
Lower South Platte
Clear Creek
Sand Creek
Cherry Creek
Lakewood
Bear Creek
South Metro
Upper South Platte
Plum Creek
Box Elder Creek
Eastern Plains
Totals
Current
1975
43,240
99,830
15,990
28,750
21,010
305,840
169,640
342,310
266,290
57,240
134,200
7,710
8,140
950
4,150
1,505,290
1980
58,930
107,940
23,620
43,230
45,635
336,900
186,120
364,950
263,800
76,080
159,140
9,759
10,930
1,100
4,600
1,692,725
Short Term
1985 1990
59,430
117,730
29,980
55,100
54,860
354,740
211,264
386,060
265,190
97,950
195,650
- 12,450
13,240
1,200
5,600
1,860,444
68,300
127,780
36,860
68,270
65,090
378,560
234,659
408,710
265,950
118,940
231,960
15,350
15,940
1,400
6,600
1,944,369
Long Term
2000
87,300
144,290
41,400
98,060
103,570
417,650
306,600
485,820
273,820
156,290
298,470
21,700
20,580
1,700
8,200
2,465,450*
*This figure includes population projections outside the five county study
area.
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13
Based upon the land use analysis, impacts of development on water quality
in specific areas can be anticipated. A series of flow charts in the
-Technical Report indicate the impacts of various land uses on water
courses (see figures 5-3 through 5-7). A summary of these charts indi-
cates that five activities are common to all forms of land use associated
with urbanization: (1) clearing and grading of open landscapes; (2)
installation of runoff facilities to accommodate storm and surface water
runoff; (3) construction of impervious surfaces, such as roads, parking
lots, and building foundations; (4) withdrawal of surface water and
groundwater resources to provide for urban and agricultural demand;
and (5) dense concentration of development, population, transportation,
and utility systems in the developing areas.

These activities combine to create hydrologic complications including
increased siltation of streams and ponds, increased urban runoff,
increased flooding potential due to higher runoff rates, increased
surface water storage areas and transmountain water facilities to
compensate for loss of natural water resources. Such conditions warrant
serious consideration of environmental impacts of urbanization and
development of measures to mitigate the most serious impediments to
the natural water resource system. The Technical Report presents de-
velopment criteria related to water quality and to general environmental
quality in Tables 5-7 and 5-8.

CONTROL MEASURES

Control measures for preventing water pollution and improving water
quality in accordance with the 1983 goals consist of three basic
approaches: (1) nonstructural, (2) structural, and (3) land applica-
tion. Nonstructural control measures seek to control pollution with
minimal capital cost and construction. Education programs, economic
incentive, and land use regulations are considered nonstructural
controls and focus on solving nonpoint source pollution problems.
Structural controls are physical structures used for the containment,
col-lection, and/or treatment of wastewater from point sources. Land
application can be considered a combination of the other two approaches
since it involves treatment of wastes to a certain level then utiliza-
tion of that waste for beneficial uses on land surfaces.

Nonstructural Controls for Nonpoint Source Pollution

The two basic nonpoint sources of pollution are sedimentation resulting
from disturbance of natural land surfaces and surface contaminants
resulting from unnatural deposits on land and water surfaces. The
latter includes litter, automobile wastes, residual chemicals from
herbicides and pesticides, and fallout from air pollution.

Sedimentation can be reduced through practices that avoid erosion,
confine sediments on site, and result in revegetation at the earliest
possible time. Surface contaminants are very difficult to control
since ordinances and "housekeeping" activities required to reduce them
are difficult to enforce and expensive to maintain. The Technical
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14

Report discusses nonstructural control measures for nonpoint pollution
resulting from the activities of agriculture, construction, forestry,
mining, and stream channel modification. (Stream channel modification
results from diversion or flood control activities which can seriously
affect water quality and aquatic habitat if not carefully controlled.)

Structural Control Measures

A wastewater control facility could include, but is not limited to,
collection systems, household waste treatment systems, wastewater treat-
ment plants including both conventional and land irrigation systems,
water reuse systems, dams and holding ponds, infiltration-percolation
ponds, and stream modifications. Structural controls deal with two
basic facts of wastewater treatment: (1) Treatment systems do not
destroy pollutants but simply change their state, phase, or method of
conveyance, and (2) the removal of pollutants results in the production
of residual waste that must also be treated and disposed.

Structural Control Measures for Nonpoint Source Pollution

Collection and subsequent treatment of urban storm water runoff con-
verts this nonpoint source to an intermittent point source. A primary
storm sewer system is intended to control pollutant discharges after
minimal storms. A secondary storm sewer system to control flows from
large storms would help reduce stream contamination in flood potential
areas. Reducing the total amount of surface runoff by increasing
the amount of permeable area in the drainage basin and modifying land
drainage to prevent overland flow from entering storm collection
systems would decrease contaminants entering streams. Land treatment
of storm flows by irrigation and construction of infiltration basins
would improve water quality before discharge into water courses.
On-site retention of storm flows allowing for gradual seepage into
aquifers and discharge into surface water bodies would also assist
in improving water quality by filtering or settling out contaminants.

Structural Control Measures for Point Source Pollution

The EPA requires the consideration of three wastewater management
techniques: (1) treatment and discharge into receding waters, (2)
treatment and reuse, and (3) land application. Treatment and discharge
is the common practice in the Denver metropolitan area, as it is through-
out the nation. Treatment and reuse systems can involve reuse by the
original user, reuse by a downstream user after treatment and discharge
by the original user, or direct recycle by which the water never leaves
the use/reuse system. The levels of treatment required in each case
depend upon the types of uses involved. Land application requires
that the wastewater receive a specific level of treatment dictated
by the land application system utilized.

Any biological wastewater treatment system will produce solid wastes,
or sludge. The amount of sludge produced varies with the processes
used, but can be generalized as 1,500 pounds per million gallons of
wastewater. Mechanical treatment plants must include a sludge digestion
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15

system to stabilize waste, rendering it harmless and reducing its volume
by approximately 40%. This results in solids of approximately 900 pounds
per million gallons for disposal or reuse.

Sludge processing can be accomplished in a number of ways. The most com-
mon process is an aerobic lagoon system. As sludge accumulates in the
lagoon it becomes anaerobic and is essentially digested without disposal
or reuse becoming a problem. Most small plants in the 208 Study Area
provide sludge digestion and air drying, after which the sludge is stock-
piled and sold to community residents as a fertilizing aid and soil con-
ditioner. Sludge injection is a process by which water is injected into
the top six inches of soil used for forage crops the following season.
The Metro system dewaters its sludge and hauls it by truck to the Lowry
Bombing Site for incorporation into the soil. Costs analysis indicate
that on-site air drying is the most economical system for plants with a
capacity below 10 mgd. Above that amount costs are almost equal for all
systems.

Treatment facilities have been investigated for three general wastewater
sources: (1) municipal point sources, (2) urban runoff, and (3) agricul-
tural runoff. Cost estimates represent complete project costs excluding
cost of land (except for land application systems) with allowances for
construction financing, contingencies, engineering and legal fees, and
administrative costs. Estimated cost curves have been prepared by the
consultants for municipal mechanical treatment processes and land appli-
cation systems. These are available for review at DRCOG.

The control technologies for urban and agricultural runoff are not well
defined so the following estimates should be used only as general guide-
lines. The cost of urban runoff collection, storage, and treatment
according to literature sources ranges from $200 to over $10,000 per acre
served. A more realistic range would be from $500 to $2,000 per acre.
Most systems average $750 per acre. Operation and maintenance costs are
projected at $15 per acre per year. Agricultural runoff treatment costs
for the study area are projected at $6 per acre and $1 per acre per year
for operation and maintenance if sedimentation ponds are used. Dry land
agriculture will have an estimated capital cost of $5 per acre and $.50
per acre per year for operation and maintenance. Detailed cost figures
are available at DRCOG for review.

A detailed discussion of land application systems appears in the Tech-
nical Report. Many conditions in the Denver area make land application
very feasible: large areas of available land with suitable soils rela-
tively close to wastewater sources; an ideal climate with mild winters,
low precipitation, and high evaporation; and considerable need for and
use of water for irrigation. The three land application processes ap-
plicable to the study area are (1) irrigation for crop production with
evapotranspiration loss and little percolation through the subsurface
avoiding direct discharge to surface water; (2) high-rate irrigation
with the main objective of wastewater treatment and a secondary objec-
tive of crop production; and (3) infiltration-percolation intended to
treat wastewater through natural processes as it recharges groundwater
avoiding discharge to surface water.
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16

Treatment Systems for MDSDDffl

The largest supplier of wastewater collection and treatment in the Denver
metropolitan area is the Metropolitan Denver Sewage Disposal District #1
(MDSDD//1). The results of the Clean Water Program will directly impact
the expansion and development of that facility by wasteload allocations
and recommended treatment systems. A brief description of the existing
system and proposed treatment alternatives will help illustrate the
technical concerns of the 208 Plan.

Prior to constuction of the MDSDD//1 treatment facility, primary treated
wastewater from the Denver Northside Plant was diverted into the Burling-
ton/01 Brian Canal for immediate irrigation use or storage at Barr Lake
northeast of Denver. The lake was an anaerobic lagoon which provided
some further treatment, but increasing eutrophication resulted in sig-
nifican offensive odors. During the irrigation season farmers were
irrigating with effluent that had not undergone complete secondary
treatment. After construction of the treatment facility for MDSDD//1,
direct irrigation water from the South Platte and water used for irriga-
tion from Barr Lake was significantly improved, but still of secondary
effluent quality. In 1975 the EPA found Barr Lake to be highly eutrophic.

Despite the lake's eutrophic level, the state is proposing to develop
the area into a state park. The upper portion near the influent will
be a natural area; the lower portion is designated for primary contact
recreation. This development will have considerable impact on treat-
ment levels required for effluent discharged into the lake.

Two basic land use application systems were considered for MDSDD//1: (1)
a land application system on publicly owned lands and (2) incorporation
of the facility with the existing system of irrigated private lands.
Use of public lands is not possible under the present ownership system,
therefore the only realistic alternative is utilization of private lands.
MDSDD#1 is required to have a treatment capacity of 185 mgd in the year
2000, which requires a total land area of 50,000 acres for any land
application system. Although utilization of agricultural lands seems
feasible, the following considerations are important: ownership of the
effluent, responsibility for treatment, and potential discharge require-
ments for the South Platte River and existing ditches. The type of
crops grown and projected recreational uses of water courses will de-
termine effluent treatment levels.

To complicate the issue, determination of water rights and responsibil-
ities of the Denver Water Board with regard to reuse facilities may
seriously influence the activities of MDSDD//1 in the future. Although
the facility would have to be capable of treating 185 mgd in the year
2000, it may only be treating 69 mgd after 1995, the projected date
for initiation of the Denver Water Board potable reuse water facility.
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17

REUSE/SUCCESSIVE USE OF WASTEWATER

Reuse is the subsequent use of water for the same purpose as the original
use. Successive use is the subsequent use of water for a different
purpose than the original use. The terms will be dealt with synonomously
in this discussion and can be further defined according to the following
categories:

1- Potable reuse: The direct reuse of wastewater effluent after special
treatment for domestic purposes, including human consumption.

2. Industrial reuse: The reuse of wastewater effluent for industrial
processes or cooling water after various degrees of treatment.

3' Urban irrigation; The irrigation of parks, golf courses, school
yards, or boulevards with secondary treated wastewater.

4- Agricultural reuse; The reuse of effluent for agricultural purposes
after a certain degree of wastewater treatment.

Wastewater Reuse Projects

Only a very small percentage of wastewater flow is presentrly reused,
and most of it is reused for urban irrigation. Of the nine agencies
within the study area that are presently using or have plans for
implementing reuse projects in the future only one, the Denver Water Board,
is applying wastewater to agricultural uses. Three agencies are plan-
ning reuse systems for urban irrigation, two for exchange of raw water
or stream makeup, and three for agricultural reuse (agricultural runoff
will be reused for agricultural purposes).

Urban irrigation uses do not affect the design or sizing of existing
collecton systems since all wastewater must be collected and transported
to a central treatment location whether or not it is to be reused.
However, wastewater used for urban irrigation requires treatment above
the secondary level. This treatment normally includes effluent filtra-
tion and additional chlorination.

An agricultural reuse system involves the discharge of a unit of waste-
water into an irrigation ditch in exchange for a unit of raw water that
is allowed to bypass the irrigation headgates and continue in the stream.
An exchange system involves the exchange of a unit of wastewater dis-
charged directly into an irrigation ditch for a unit of stream water
diverted into the domestic water supply channel. The exchange does not
have to be equitable in volume.

Northglenn, Thornton, and Westminster are planning exchange or agricul-
tural reuse systems. These processes differ from conventional land
application systems in that the agency discharging the effluent to the
irrigation ditch is relieved of any further responsibility for the sub-
sequent handling, use, and application of the effluent. That agency
therefore is not in the farming business. Conversely, for land applica-
tion systems, the original wastewater owner retains full responsibility
for the treatment, handling, and application of the effluent. Some
of the benefits of an agricultural reuse system over a land application
system are as follows:
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18

1. Total wastewater treatment costs are lower for the agency.

2. Recycling of valuable resources, such as nitrogen and phosphorous,
Is optimized.

3. Crop production is optimized because the primary purpose of applying
the effluent to the land is irrigation rather than treatment of
wastewater.

4. The farming business is maintained in the private sector.

5. Farmers are guaranteed a quantity of water not subject to weather
conditions.

6. More use is made of the state's raw water supplies, and therefore
the state has an improved water management system.

The concerns related to the agricultural reuse and exchange systems
include the following:

1. Will the agricultural reuse wastewater be satisfactory for discharge
as an irrigation spill if that same water was not satisfactory for
direct discharge from the treatment plant?

2. What impact will the return flows from an agricultural reuse system
have on stream quality?

3. Could dewatering of a stream reach occur since treatment plant dis-
charges are directly into irrigation ditches instead of into the
stream? In the agricultural reuse system this can be avoided since
irrigators allow stream water to bypass the irrigation ditch head-
gates in exchange for the wastewater effluent. However, in the
exchange system since volumes do not have to be equitable there
is the possibility of lowering stream flow.

Reuse Projects Proposed by the City of Aurora

Having initiated an urban irrigation reuse project for watering its
municipal golf course during the summer months, the City of Aurora
plans to increase the urban irrigation system to irrigate parks and
school grounds along the route of the pressure main delivering water
to the golf course. In addition, the city is planning to implement
industrial reuse systems for wastewater and potable water reuse through
treatment and transportation of wastewater effluent to Quincy Reservoir.
Potable reuse water would be mixed with raw water then treated at
the water treatment plant prior to distribution within the city.

As an alternative to the reuse project expansions, the city is con-
sidering the sale or lease of nontributary return flows to downstream
users. This would negate the reuses systems and additional water sup-
plies would have to be developed for the city. The impacts of Aurora's
water policy on the region are discribed in the Technical Report.
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19

Reuse Projects Proposed by the Denver Water Board

The Denver Water Board has determined that urban irrigation and industrial
reuse are not economically feasible due to the widespread distribution of
potential reuse centers. It proposes a simple reuse system based on the
exchange of used water at the sewage treatment plant outfall for less
polluted water at the existing intakes. However, because of the Board's
interpretation of the Blue River decree, it believes that water from the
Blue River transmountain diversion must be reused for domestic purposes
and that return flows may not be leased or sold to downstream users for
agricultural purposes. Therefore, an agricultural reuse system for the
Board's nontributary water is not considered feasible.

Through this process of elimination, the Board is planning a potable
reuse system including a 1 mgd demonstration plant by 1980 and a 100
mgd reuse plan in the 1990s. Although the front end costs of the pro-
ject are high compared to the cost of developing new water supplies in
the near future, the costs appear to be equitable about 1998 with the
reuse system becoming more economical than developing new supplies after
that date.

The decision by the Denver Water. Board may cause complications for the
Metro Sewage District since it is legally bound to treat wastewater
entering its facilities to required standards, while the Board will
reuse only that portion of effluent required to meet its needs at peak
demand periods. If Metro wastewater treatment processes are adjusted
to be compatible with the Water Board's reuse plant, operation and
maintenance costs of the Metro p.lant may be significantly higher than
under normal expansion procedures. A detailed economic analysis of the
proposed reuse system impact on existing and projected facilities
should be undertaken to determine the most economical, efficient, and
effective approach to wastewater treatment and reuse in the Denver metro-
politan area.

Water Rights Aspects

The Colorado Constitution provides that the unappropriated water of
every natural stream is the property of the public, subject to appro-
priation, and that the right to divert such water for beneficial use
cannot be denied." Water, like land, is a finite commodity. Water
rights in Colorado are considered real property and may be sold,
transferred, and exchanged separately from the land over which it
courses. In 1973 the state legislature amended state statutes to
include as "beneficial use" minimum flows necessary to preserve the
natural environment to a reasonable degree. Such appropriation of the
very limited unadjudicated water supplies results in the assignment
of junior rights thereby negating the ordinance's effectiveness.
Lease or purchase of senior rights which could be transferred to new
or alternate points of diversions could mitigate this problem and
guarantee minimum stream flows in the more critical areas.

The water rights issue to too complex to treat at length in this
summary report. The Technical Report discusses the problems of water
use/reuse systems and the costs of obtaining water throughout the study
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20

area. Each circumstance of changing water use or water courses must be
considered in the light of its legal aspects. The consideration of plans
and recommendations for future water quality control will have to include
these legalities.

WASTEHATER TREATMENT FACILITIES

Vastewater treatment facilities are point sources for water pollution.
Municipal and industrial facilities in the 208 Study Area have been
studied and needs for upgrading them to meet the 1983 water quality goals
have been analyzed. The technologies required to implement plan policies
are directly related to facilities planning under Section 201 of PL 92-500.

There are 13 ongoing 201 facility planning studies within the metropolitan
Denver area. DRCOG has developed guidelines that will insure facility
planning consistency with the areawide 208 Plan. This consistency should
be established in the early planning stages of the 201 program during con-
sideration of basic planning elements such as population, land use, facil-
ity requirements, and alternative treatment strategies.

Facility planning involves a seven-phase process:

1. Develop effluent requirements.
2. Assess current conditions.
3. Assess future conditions.
4. Develop and evaluate alternatives.
5. Select plan.
6. Prepare design of treatment works.
7. Make arrangements for implementation.

These phases are divided into a three-step procedure within the 201 pro-
gram as shown in the following schematic.
The Technical Report presents a detailed discussion of the seven phases
stressing the importance of coordination on the regional level with im-
plementation remaining basically at the local level. Recently agencies
within the 208 Study Area have been exploring alternative methods of
facility planning, still incorporating the basic planning procedures.
These "interagency" plans include the following:
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21

Northglenn System

The City of Northglenn proposes to "borrow" water from the Farmers Reser-
voir and Irrigation Company, treat it for potable use, collect the waste-
water, treat it, and return it to agricultural use via Bull Canal north
of Westminster. Domestic use is approximately 35% consumptive and the
city has agreed not only to replace that amount, but to contribute an
additional 10%. The makeup water could be derived from deep wells, urban
runoff, and certain South Platte River water rights.

Westminster System

The City of Westminster proposes an exchange of effluent discharged into
the Farmers Highline Ditch for an equal amount of raw water drawn from
the source upstream of the discharge point. The system consists of pump-
ing effluent from the Big Dry Creek plant to the Farmers Highline Canal.
An equal volume of water will be diverted from the canal into Standley
Lake, for which Westminster owns storage rights for its domestic supply.

Thornton System

The City of Thornton proposes a system that would tie in with the West-
minster plan. The volume of wastewater generated in the area of Thornton
north of 100th Avenue would be pumped to the Big Dry Creek Basin for
treatment at the Westminster plant. The effluent would be exchanged for
water from the Farmers Highline Canal, which conveys part of Thornton's
water supply. Through this method, Thornton can significantly improve
both the quantity and quality of its water supply. Preliminary cost
estimates are favorable and the system is recommended for further study.

Infiltration/Inflow Impact

Another aspect of wastewater treatment is the problem of extraneous water
found in sanitary sewer systems. The 208 Plan requires that the infiltra-
tion/inflow (I/I) condition of a system be identified and an economic
analysis performed during 201 planning studies to determine whether to
treat or remove the excess water. The I/I is termed excessive if trans-
portation and treatment costs are greater than the cost for facility
improvement to correct the problem at its source. Although most communi-
ties in the 208 Study Area do not appear to have excessive I/I, it is
recommended that all communities initiate a rigorous sewer maintenance
program to locate I/I sources requiring repair and correct conditions to
substantially reduce I/I in the sewer system.

Point Source Flows

In order to quantify the problem of wastewater treatment to accomplish
water quality goals, an analysis must be made of the wastewater flows
from various sources throughout the region. Treatment facilities are
designed according to projected flows and necessary treatment capacities.
Typical wastewater flows in the Denver area are 65 gallons per capita
per day. Unit wastewater flows for industrial, commercial, public lands,
and parks and recreation are projected on a per acre basis.
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/C "U>-:
tao
I»?S 1)80
?ooo
o
< .
II" I
100

III

< 60
K
i.i
• HDSOO * /.
|{
IV 75
I'jliQ IS«irJ
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YEARS
YEARS
WASTEWATER FLOW PROJECTIONS BASED ON LOCAL TRENDS.
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23

The illustration on page 22 depicts wastewater flow projections based on
local plans for service areas throughout the study area. A consideration
of both local and regional population forecasts and land use plans will
aid in determining facility design criteria. The Technical Report pre-
sents basic design criteria for sewers, pumping stations and force mains,
wastewater treatment plants, and land application systems.

Industrial Wastewater Treatment Facilities

The impact of industrial point sources upon water quality in the 208
Study Area has been investigated through computer modeling. Significant
industrial pollution results from industrial process plants such as brew-
eries and refineries and power plants employing water for cooling pur-
poses. Pollutants from industrial process plants are primarily chemical
in nature with bacterial levels present if sanitary sewage is combined
with industrial waste. Power plants affect water quality primarily
through thermal changes; however, if the cooling water contains pollutants
before it goes through the cooling system, evaporation will concentrate
those pollutants resulting in a degradation of coolant waters.

The proposed Colorado state water quality criteria restricts thermal
pollution by limiting maximum and minimum temperature changes a discharg-
ing plant can bring about in receiving streams. The standards also
stipulate that natural, diurnal, and seasonal fluctuations must be pre-
served. Computer data and Department of Public Health data provide the
means by which maximum temperature and temperature changes within the
river system are determined. The Technical Report presents a more specific
analysis of industrial point sources in the Denver region and their antici-
pated future impacts on the area's water quality.

Industrial Residual Waste Disposal

The problem of industrial residual waste and waste oil disposal has never
been adequately addressed in the United States. Very little 'information
can be found about this subject. It would appear to be a major concern,
however, since improper disposal of industrial liquid waste and waste
oils can result in severe pollution problems many years after disposal.
For example, Sand Creek recently experienced water quality problems from
leachate related to an old industrial disposal site in the vicinity of
Vasquez Street and Sand Creek.

The Lowry Bombing Range is serving as a landfill site for the City and
County of Denver. Industrial wastes are dumped there and although infor-
mation is not available for every year since this procedure started,
approximately 5,000 gallons of waste were discharged on the site each day
in the early stages of operation. At present 30,000 to 50,000 gallons
per day are being discharged. Lowry is the only site within the Denver
metropolitan area certified to receive liquid wastes and sludges.

At present the site is not threatening to contaminate surface or ground-
water. However, continued use of the site at present rates could result
in a long-term water quality problem. Development controls should be
initiated to minimize construction in the landfill area and prevent the
drilling of wells in adjacent groundwater systems.
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24

NONPOINT SOURCE POLLUTION

In the early pages of this summary we mentioned that increasing nonpoint
sources of pollution may stand in the way of accomplishing 1983 water
quality goals even if mechanical systems are upgraded to treat effluent
to acceptable discharge levels. Currently, nonstructural controls are
considered the most feasible approach to dealing with nonpoint sources.
These controls emphasize "no-cost" programs including good housekeeping
practices, public education, and legislation.

The introduction of certain amounts of sediment, organic materials, and
nutrients into the water regime is a natural phenomenon and, in fact, is
essential to an optimum ecological balance. However, increased popula-
tion concentrations and changing land use patterns have accelerated these
natural processes and introduced toxics to the environment through the
use of fossil fuels, detergents, pesticides, and industrial chemicals.
Phosphate, fecal coliform, and fecal streptococci have been identified
as the most serious problems associated with urban runoff.

Septic tanks and landfills are of concern as sources of nonpoint pollu-
tion. Although septic tanks have not been documented as a serious
problem (probably due to the lack of sufficient data), mountain systems
appear to present more of a problem than plains systems due to thin
soils, steep slopes, and geological conditions. Where septic systems
fail in the mountains direct discharges into the aquatic environment
result in pollution similar to that created by improperly treated sewage
including constituents such as BOD, pathogens, phosphate, ammonia, and
nitrate.

Landfills in the study area have been constructed in the floodplains of
Cherry, Sand, and Clear creeks and along the South Platte River. The
present potential contamination problems result from water and other
substances leaching through the fill into groundwater supplies and into
surface streams. Properly designed landfills will not produce leachate,
but improperly designed sites can result in leachate from infiltration
-of precipitation, percolating water entering from adjacent areas, or
direct contact with the groundwater table.

Nonpoint source loads are measured in terms of pounds of constituent
build up per day on impervious surfaces. This somewhat understates the
actual amount of pollutant loading because runoff is not a daily event.
Assuming a maximum buildup rate of 30 days in the Denver area due to its
semi-arid climate, the amount of pollutants carried to a receiving stream
following a storm could produce the highest contamination levels possible
in spite of point source controls.

The Technical Report discusses the pollutant levels and control measures
recommended for water quality control for both point and nonpoint sources
since a combination of the two controls will be essential for meeting the
1983 water quality goals. Specific controls for urban runoff in exist-
ing and developing areas, septic tanks, landfills, and agricultural
return flows are presented in the report. However, the lack of specific
information for nonpoint sources with in the study area limits the analy-
sis of anticipated effects of remedial actions. The report also describes
specific nonpoint data needs for the more highly urbanized basins.
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25

WATER QUALITY PLANNING ALTERNATIVES

As a result of the research and analyses of the Clean Water Program, a
set of control strategies was developed and submitted to the Water Quality
Management Task Force for review. The findings were also presented at
public hearings for citizen input. About that time the Water Quality
Control Commission proposed a new series of water use classifications
and water quality standards for Colorado streams.

When it was found that the proposed control strategies would not meet
the 1983 goals, a computer model (Hydrocomp) was employed along with
other analytical method's. The resulting control strategies, presented
in the Technical Report and summarized here, are based on present and
anticipated pollution impact on stream reaches^ within the study area,
actions required to improve water quality to desired levels, cost of
such actions, and practicality of accomplishing the desired goals con-
sidering stream condition and anticipated water uses.

VJasteload Allocations

Wasteload allocations are necessary for controlling discharges which
may result in exceeding the stream's capacity to serve other beneficial
uses downstream. The four key points in the wasteload allocation process
are (1) beneficial uses, (2) right to discharge substances, (3) distribu-
tion, and (4) stream capacity.

Current stream classifications are as follows:

A..—primary contact recreation (cold water fishery)

A-—primary contact recreation (warm water fishery)

B.—secondary contact recreation (cold water fishery)

B_—secondary contact recreation (warm water fishery)

C —agricultural use

The Water Quality Control Commission has proposed a reclassification
system based on eight beneficial uses. The figure on page 26 indicates
the beneficial water use combinations for each stream within the study
area.

Four basic steps are involved in determining wasteload allocations to
meet the required water quality levels of specific stream reaches.

1. The beneficial uses desired for each stream reach are determined.

2. Water quality criteria needed to allow those uses are calculated.

3. The required water quality criteria are compared with current or
expected pollutant levels.

4. Wasteload reductions necessary to satisfy the water quality criteria
are computed.
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SOUTH PL»T7E RIVCN
PRIMARY
CONTACT
RECREATION
SECONDARY
CONTACT
RECREATION
AGRICULTURAL
COLD
WATER
BIOTA
WARM
WATER
BIOTA
PUBLIC
WATER SUPPLY
GROUND WATER
PUBLIC
WATER SUPPLY
SURFACE WATER
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27

Wasteloads are then allocated to industrial and municipal dischargers.

Computer Model, A computer program was used to make predictions about
instream water quality for the major portions of the metropolitan area.
The streams included in the program are the South Platte River from
the foothills to Weld County, Sand Creek, Clear Creek, Bear Creek, and
Cherry Creek. Known discharges and development patterns, climatological
conditions, stream flow, and stream quality for the period 1969 through
1973 were entered into the model. Appropriate adjustments were made
so the model would simulate the instream water quanatities and qualities
occuring under historic, climatological, and development patterns for
the five model streams. This "calibration" assures that the program
will reasonably estimate future water quality conditions. Different
pollutant levels from point and nonpoint sources were assumed and fed
into the program. The model then showed the water quality conditions
likely to occur from the different wasteload allocations.

Hand Modeling. Hand modeling was performed for streams (1) where water
quality data was insufficient for computer modeling and (2) where
stream conditions were far less complex in relation to intensive urban
development with accompanying point and nonpoint source discharges.
Hand modeling followed the basic computer methodology.

Wasteload Allocation Methodology

The methodology to determine allowable pollutant discharges is complex
and relies on the availability of accurate water quality data. The
following five methods are the most commonly accepted.

1. Eaual treatment levels. Downstream water quality levels are achieved
by assigning equal treatment levels to all upstream dischargers. If
higher water qualities are desired in an upstream reach, facilities
above that reach must further reduce their pollutant levels.

2. Cost effective method. This system essentially minimizes total
cost to the region by placing the greatest restrictions on facil-
ities that can reduce pollutant loadings most economically. Adequate
institutional arrangements are necessary to ensure that all entities
generating wastewater pay their fair share of treatment costs.

3. Water quality impaat method. This method is essentially the reverse
of the first method in that allocations start upstream and work down
to the low end of the basin. The most stringent treatment levels
are assigned to facilities most responsible for water quality degra-
dation.

4. Ownership method. The most stringent requirements are assigned ac-
cording to the amount of discharge created by each facility with
private dischargers (usually industries) having to remove the bulk
of the pollutants. Costs are spread throughout the nation in the
form of higher product prices.
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28

5. Area based system. This system establishes a total allowable waste-
load for a defined area, usually an undeveloped area. It often
serves as an indirect form of land use planning, allowing area
development only to assigned wasteload levels.

The equal treatment level method has been used to develop wasteload
allocations in the 208 Study Area because of the existing institutional
arrangements, the preponderance of municipal dischargers, and intensive
development throughout the region. The following procedure was followed:

1. Starting at the lowest point of the basin, existing or anticipated
pollution levels in each stream reach were compared with the level
of water quality desired.

2. Using a computer simulation or hand model, pollutant reductions
necessary to achieve the desired water quality were determined.

3. Reduced discharge loads were entered into the computer to determine
if water quality criteria would be met. In not, load adjustments
were computed and the model rerun until the desired water quality
could be met.

4. When water quality goals were achieved by the model for the down-
stream reach, the next highest reach was computed. Only facilities
upstream of the particular reach will be required to make additional
pollutant reductions to achieve desired standards.

5. All tributaries discharging into the main stem stream were submitted
to a similar technique as the method was employed for each reach.
If the tributaries are assigned a higher use than downstream waters,
a higher level of treatment may be called for in the upstream reaches.

6. The treatment processes necessary to achieve the water quality goals
were determined for each municipal treatment facility and a cost
estimate developed for the construction and operation of those
treatment processes.

7. If water quality desired cannot be met by control of point sources,
specific water quality criteria unachieved will have to be described
and a decision made as to whether or not control of nonpoint sources
* is likely to meet those criteria.

The wasteload allocations required to meet desired water quality will
depend partially on the time period for which they are designed. The
Colorado Department of Health has determined that the design period
will be a low stream flow period of seven consecutive days, occurring
once in 10 years on the average. These periods in the Denver area will
likely occur during the period of July through September when water
temperatures are higher and water qualities lower than average.

Another consideration in determining the effectiveness of wasteload
allocations and alternative control measures is the amount of inflows
and associated water qualities entering the basin through surface
streams from other areas or groundwater recharge to surface streams.
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29

Allocations According to Stream Classification Alternatives

Four stream classification alternatives were considered for the Denver
metropolitan region. Alternative 1 represents the highest possible
water quality in all stream reaches throughout the area, alternative 4
represents the lowest. Alternatives 2 and 3 are positioned between the
two. Two methodologies for developing wasteload allocations were
applied to all four alternatives to achieve the specific water qualities
desired. The first method was the equal treatment method, the second
was the cost effective method. The Technical Report contains a series
of figures illustrating the results of this analysis for the Denver
metropolitan area and for the northwestern areas of Boulder, Longmont,
Lafayette, Louisville, Erie, Niwot, and Superior.

Equal Treatment Method

Using this method alternative 4 water qualities generally can be attained
by using secondary treatment, including reoxygenation. Converting
ammonia to nitrate at the Englewood/Littleton and South Lakewood waste-
water treatment plants can bring the levels into conformance with
alternative 4, but for about 4 months each year they will also have
to remove, ammonia through a higher level of treatment. To meet alterna-
tive 3 water quality goals, all treatment plants within the study area
will have to convert ammonia to nitrate. Reoxygenation will also be
required for all treatment plants.

Alternative 2 requirements would necessitate a further reduction in
ammonia levels. Conversion of ammonia to nitrate is not appropriate
since low instream levels of nitrate are needed to meet public water
supply criteria. The plants would have to employ a process of nitrogen
removal.

Alternative 1 requires that discharges of ammonia, nitrate, and phosphate
be kept to a minimum. This can be done by nitrogen and phosphate removal
processes.

Estimated costs and projected pollutant reductions and limitations are
discussed in the Technical Report.

Cost Effective Treatment Method

The results of the cost effective method for alternative 4 criteria are
similar to the equal treatment method results. In order to meet the
goals of alternative 3, only the Englewood/Littleton, South Lakewood,
Metro Denver, Sand Creek, and Golden sewage treatment plants will have
to convert ammonia to nitrate as will Sand Creek major industry. In
addition Englewood/Littleton, MDSDD//1, and Sand Creek treatment plants
will have to treat wastes to a higher level to remove more ammonia
four months out of the year.

The cost effective approach to alternative 2 requires that Englewood/
Littleton, South Lakewood, Glendale, and Golden sewage treatment plants
convert ammonia to nitrate. Only MDSDD#1 and Sand Creek will have to
remove nitrogen in order to meet public water supply criteria.
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30

Alternative 1 requires phosphate removal from all major point source ef-
fluent. Conversion of ammonia to nitrate is required for South Lakewood,
Glendale, Sand Creek major industry, and the Golden sewage treatment plant.
Nitrogenv removal is required only at Englewood/Littleton, MDSDD//1, and
Sand Creek sewage treatment plants.

Mountain and Plains Area Allocations

The mountain areas will be assigned wasteload allocations as water
quality criteria are met in the downstream reaches. These allocations
will affect wastewater treatment plants in portions of Jefferson and
Boulder Counties.

The plains area consists of approximately 1,600 square miles east of the
metropolitan area. Because streams in the plains area originate in the
plains and are not continuously fed by high mountain snowmelt they have
only intermittent flows. Flash floods resulting from summer thunder-
storms account for most of the stream flow. Under these conditions
acquatic life cannot be sustained nor are recreational ammenities likely.
In addition, population is sparse and dry land agriculture is the primary
land use. For these reasons no attempt was made to model water quality
levels in these streams. Secondary treatment levels are assumed to be
sufficient for future water quality planning.

Wasteload Allocation Cost Estimates

Mechanical and land application systems have been considered as the
most feasible methods for reducing pollutants in study area streams.
Based on a series of 14 possible effluent qualities (limitations), both
systems have been considered for each of the four stream classification
alternatives.

Five basic mechanical processes, representative of those currently used
to remove various contaminants, provided reliable capital and operation
and maintenance (O&M) cost information. They were examined in different
combinations to produce various effluent qualities. The processes were
(1) secondary treatment, (2) filtration, (3) nitrification (ammonia
removal), (4) selective ion exchange (nitrogran removal), and (5)
phosphorous removal.

Cost estimates were prepared for 14 treatment facility locations and
for each of the 14 levels of effluent quality using cost curves developed
for capital and O&M costs for each of the five basic processes. Capital
costs were estimated based upon wastewater flow projections, existing
facility capacities and treatment processes, and the degree of treatment
required. O&M costs were estimated based upon average daily wastewater
flow projections. The information was applied to a computer model
which calculated the estimated annual capital and O&M expenditures from
1981 to 2000 for each of the 14 facilities. The program also calculated
the present worth of the total cost of treatment for this time period.
The table on page 30 indicates the present worth and per capital costs
for the equal treatment method.
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TABLE 10-17. Present Worth and Per Capita Costs of Equal Treatment Methodology (Assumes no
federal funding).
Municipal
Treatment
Facility
1. Englewood/
Littleton
2. South Lakewood
3. MDSDD No. 1
4. Golden
5. Aurora
6. South Adams
County
7. Brighton
8. Big Dry Creek
9. Boulder
10, Longmont
11 Erie
12. Layfayette
13. Louisville
14. Glendale
15. PLAINS (1)
16. MOUNTAINS t1)
Alternative 1
Pres.
Worth
($ x mil.)
57.2
8.1
191.3
9.9
30.0
13.8
7.7
18.0
29.3
16.4
3.2
7.9
5.3
2.4
1.3
5.0
Avg.
Cost
($/pe/yrJ
24.7
37.4
14.4
35.7
24.7
33.9
38.1
35.2
22.4
23.3
63.8
58.7
39.3
29.5
18.0
23.8
Alternative 2
Pres.
Worth
($xmil.)
48.1
6.8
158.0
9.9
24.9
11.5
6.3
15.3
24.2
12.8
2.6
6.9
4.2
1.8
(.3
5.0
Avg.
Cost
($/pe/yr)
20.6
32.1
10.5
35.7
20.2
27 7
30.7
29.8 "
18.1
18.2
50.1
49.9
30.6
21.0
18.0
23.8
Alternative 3
Pres.
Worth
{$ xmil.)
41.9
6.2
134.7
7.2
21.4
10.0
5.6
15.3
12.8
10.5
2.8
6.9
4.2
1.6
1.3
5.0
Avg.
Cost
($/pe/yr)
17.7
26.4
9.6
24.9
17.1
23.5
26.8
29.7
9.1
14.7
53.6
49.9
30.6
18.2
18.0
23.8
Alternative 4
Pres.
Worth
($xmil.)
41.9
6.2
97.1
6.6
16.0
7.5
4.1
10.8
11.2
6.2
2.2
6.1
3.5
1.6
1.3
5.0
Avg.
Cost
($/pe/yr)
17.7
26.4
6.5
22.9
12.3
16.8
18.6
20.3
7.7
8.5
42.4
43.7
24.4
18.2
18.0
23.8
TOTALS 406.8 '39.6 287. t 227.3
(1) Information obtained from the Mountains and Plains study.
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32

The main concern related to land application systems is the possible harm-
ful affects of wastewater pollutants on vegetation, soil, surface water,
and groundwater. Crop characteristics, geologic formations, groundwater
quality, and wastewater constituents must be carefully considered in the
design of a land application system. The effluent quality anticipated
from each land application system suitable for the Denver area can be
equated to one of the 14 treatment levels as follows:

Land Application System Treatment Level

Irrigation 14
High-rate irrigation 6
Infiltration-percolation 6

Because of the many variables involved, land application costs have not
been developed. An estimate of probable costs was made for each system
as follows:

Irrigation or agricultural reuse. Normally considered the most efficient
land application system, agricultural reuse costs can be greately affected
by the water rights issue. In general, costs associated with implementing
the process are directly related to the water quality required by the re-
ceiving irrigation system. In most instances good secondary water quality
is all that is needed; but if the system includes a recreation site, such
as Barr Lake, much higher water quality is required. The land application
costs, therefore, can range between 50% and 120% of an equivalent mechan-
ical process yielding the same water quality.

High-rate irrigation. This process is generally far more expensive than
a conventional treatment facility due to the cost of purchasing land to
accommodate high-rate irrigation. Costs range between 120% to 200% of
the mechanical process yielding the same water quality.

Infiltration-percolation. This process is normally feasible only along
streams in the study area since it requires about a 15 foot depth of sand
and gravel to operate. If proper land is available, costs can range be-
tween 70% and 100% of the mechanical process.

Hasteload Allocation Violations

Point source wasteloads have been allocated for periods of low flow. An
analysis was made to determine how often the desired criteria for each
stream classification alternative would not be met by control of munici-
pal and industrial wastes. For alternative 1, the highest classification,
fecal coliform levels cannot be met for 9 to 12 months without both point
and nonpoint source controls. Although phosphate levels can be substan-
tially reduced through point source controls, desired water quality can-
not be achieved due to nonpoint source pollution.

For alternative 2, point source controls cannot meet the more stringent
fecal coliform levels for 4 to 12 months. Phosphate levels will remain
higher than desired even with both point and nonpoint source controls.
Alternative 3 criteria can be met with the exception of fecal coliform
resturctions. Nonpoint source controls may mitigate this condition.
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33

Alternative 4 corresponds most closely to the present situation. This
criteria can be met throughout the year through point source control
alone, except in upper stream reaches where very high water quality is
specified. This exception pertains to all four alternatives. Desired
water quality in the lower stream reaches can be met with the exception
of fecal coliform, levels for which will be exceeded more than six
months of the year as a result of nonpoint source pollution.

ACHIEVABILITY OF 1983 GOALS

The major objective of this study was to determine whether or not the
metropolitan Denver 208 Study Area can achieve the goal of fishable/
swimmable waters by 1983. The water quality goals call for four basic
water uses: (1) fish propagation, (2) primary contact recreation, (3)
secondary contact recreation, and (4) wildlife protection. Realizing
that the national goal may not be possible in"some areas, federal legis-
lators included the statement "where attainable" in the legislation.
This has been interpreted to mean that if background levels of pollutants
in stream reaches do not meet the specific criteria, these streams may
be excepted from the goal. However, background levels are assumed to
result from natural sources, not from land development and urbanization.

To achieve the national goal, not only the low flow periods must be
considered in criteria development. Some reasonable design flow con-
dition for the entire year must be considered. For the Clean Water
Program analysis the year 1972 was used since it has been stipulated
as being drier than most years and the necessary meteorological and
hydrological data are available for analysis.

Point and Nonpoint Source Controls

Alternative 1 is very similar to the national goal requirements for
water quality. Effluent qualities that will achieve alternative 1 in
the study area will meet the conditions specified for the 1983 goal.
However, to accomplish this pollution from nonpoint sources would have
to be reduced either through structural or nonstructural controls.
Based on computer generated information this would require a 75% reduc-
tion in diffuse pollution for the Denver metropolitan area and 60%
for the northern areas. It is estimated that fecal coliform and
phosphate, the major violators of water quality criteria, can be
reduced 25% to 35% with an aggressive program of nonstructural controls
including the following:

1. Animal control to reduce fecal coliform in urban runoff.

2. On-site detention ordinances to allow sediment settlement and help
control phosphorus.

3. Catch basin maintenance to help control phosphorus.

4. Street sweeping programs to reduce both pollutants.

5. Ordinances requiring parking lot cleaning to limit both pollutants.

6. Ordinances against phosphate detergents.
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34

7. Leaf collection programs to help limit phosphate and BOD and to
reduce the costs of catch basin and storm sewer maintenance.

The table on page 34 summarizes the total annual costs for achieving
the 1983 national water quality goal. The total estimated cost for
the Denser metropolitan area is $292,000,000 per year.

REGIONAL MONITORING SYSTEM

Water quality monitoring for the 208 Study Area is being considered
far (1) groundwater in special problem areas; (2) continuing research
for nonpoint pollution sources, especially urban runoff and agricultural
return flows; and (3) instream monitoring which is the current major
concern for determining regional trends of water quality and wastewater
control. The pupose of the monitoring system is also threefold: (1)
to assist in defining water quality problems, (2) to assess progress
being made in meeting 208 planning goals, and (3) to provide a data
base for updating and improving the Hydrocomp Water Quality Model.

The proposed sampling network consists of 30 sampling sites with 4 con-
tinuous sampling stations and 26 "grab" sampling stations. Infrequent
sampling in the mountain areas of Boulder and Jefferson counties is
also proposed. Each of the continuous sampling stations would be
associated with a continuous stream flow gaging station. Frequency
of sampling would vary from twice a month to six times a year for most
stations. The Technical Report describes each of the sampling station
locations and identifies the types of problems to be monitored.

Most of the proposed network stations are currently being sampled by
agencies within the area, including the Department of Health, City
and County of Denver, Corps of Engineers, and the USGS. The proposed
system would result in approximately nine new stations. The design
is intended to be flexible with respect to sampling locations, constitu-
ent samples, and frequency of sampling.

ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS

Throughout the two year study for the Clean Water Program environmental
considerations were uppermost in consideration of water quality control.
Implementation of the 208 Plan will result in long-term positive environ-
mental impacts throughout the region. Cleaning up the water will yield
benefits in recreation and water supply along with improved aesthetics
and other intangible "quality of life" considerations.

Short-term negative impacts may be experienced at the local level where
construction of new facilities or expansion of existing facilities is
required to meet the 1983 goals. Air pollution, noise pollution, and
increased sedimentation of water courses are some of the temporary
impacts to be expected. However, control measures to contain these
impacts onsite with early clean-up and revegetation can mitigate these
problems. The Technical Report discusses environmental impacts of
each of the four alternatives on a basin-by-basin basis.
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Summary of Total Annual Costs for Achieving 1983 National Goal
Basin
Chatfield
South Platte
Bear Creek
Cherry Creek
Sand Creek
Clear Creek
Big Dry Creek
Coal Creek
Boulder Creek
St. Vrain Creek
Eastern Plains
Mountain Areas
Nonpoint
Structural
($103/yr.)
Urban
3,200
70,600
11,200
14,500
20,700
22,600
8,300
7,400
18,900
54,000
0
0
Sources
Nonstructural
($103/yr.)
Runoff
500
10,000
1,500
2,200
4,500
3,600
1,700
1,000
3,000
1,000
0
0
Point Sources
Structural
($103/yr.)
0
24,300
0
300
3,400
1,100
1,500
1,500
3,000
1,900
200
200
Total
($!03/yr.)
3,700
104,900
12,700
17,000
28,600
27,300
11,500
9,900
24,900
8,300
200
200
Agriculture
Region
41,000
2,000
-
43,000
Total
224,000
31,000
37,000
292,000
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36

FINANCIAL PROGRAM

The objectives of the 208 financial program are (1) to provide an assess-
ment of major financial issues and current financial planning for water
quality in the Denver metropolitan area, (2) to provide criteria and
a methodology for financial evaluation of water quality alternatives,
and (3) to produce a financial plan consistent with the requirements of
PL 92-500 and the needs of the 208 Study Area. The following major
financial issues evolved during the 208 Financial Workshop held in May
1976 and from interviews with agency officials: (1) The availability
of capital funds through grants or bonds, (2) the objectives of water
quality planning, (3) the relationship between the planning agency and
the management agencies, and (4) the interrelationship of management
agencies with regard to consolidation or joint financing.

Much of the work involved compiling short-term (5-year) financial plans
for major wastewater treatment agencies and assessing financial feasi-
bility of the proposed technical strategies. Evaluation criteria con-
sisted of cost, financial feasibility, and financial arrangements. Cost
criteria are applied on a regional basis; financial feasibility and
financial arrangements are applied on an individual agency level.

The financial plan will include a detailed 5-year program and a general
20-year program for treatment facilities scheduling and identification
and timing of financial measures needed to implement the areawide water
quality program. Coordinating individual agency plans with the regional
plan will be a major part of the financial program as it relates to both
short-term and long-range planning processes. The financial problems
of individual agencies will have to be addressed on the local level and
will remain the responsibility of management agencies.

The Technical Report discusses the financial requirements of PL 92-500
and the problems in meeting those requirements within the institutional
structure of the Denver metropolitan area. The financial capabilities
of the management agencies is a major consideration in meeting the 1983
and 1985 water quality goals. Seven major wastewater treatment agencies
were analyzed with regard to present financial capabilities to (1)
identify potential financial constraints on implementing the water
quality alternatives and (2) provide a basis for comparison of agency
• financial plans and the financial implications of the water quality
planning alternatives. The seven agencies, representing the major
amount of revenue and expenditure for wastewater facilities in the 208
Study Area, were the following:

1. Wastewater Division, Boulder
2. Wastewater Management Division, Denver
3. Department of Utilities, Englewood
4. Sewer Department, Longmont
5. MDSDD#1, Metro
6. South Adams County Water and Sanitation District
7. Department of Public Works, Westminster

The same information will be collected for the remaining treatment
agencies within the study area. Information derived from these analyses
is presented in the Technical Report.
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37

As a result of the analysis of the current financial situation, a
financial planning overview was developed for the 208 planning program.
The first step in the planning process is to define planning assumptions
including (1) projections of community desires, (2) the service popula-
tion, (3) government requirements for treatment and other aspects of
facility operation, and (4) the content of regional plans and the need
to conform to these plans. The second step is to define capital and
operating requirements necessary to administer and construct new
facilities and/or renovate existing facilities and implement new treat-
ment processes to meet the desired water quality criteria of the community.
Step three involves the consideration of alternative strategies required
to achieve step two. The most cost effective alternative should be
identified and pursued. The fourth and final step is to identify the
funding sources available to implement the proposed strategy.

Financial Strategies

The primary revenue sources upon which agency financial strategies
will be based are (1) federal construction and Community Development
grants, (2) proceeds from revenue bond sales, (3) connection and plant
investment fees, and (4) service charges. With the exception of Metro
which does not collect connection and plant investment fees, each of
the agencies analyzed plans to utilize all four funding sources.
Denver only is considering revenue sources it has not previously used.

Management personnel of area agencies are convinced that they will
be required to meet increasingly stringent treatment standards. They
are concerned about potential financial limitations and constraints
on their capabilities to meet these standards. A major constraint is
their capability to finance capital investments. The elimination of
grant funding is discussed in the Technical Report. Major concerns
about this funding source are (1) the dollar amounts available and (2)
the eligibility of management agencies to receive grants. Although
the amount of funding has not been established by law, the Director
of the EPA Office of Grants has estimated that the Denver area would
be allotted $22 to $42 million per year during the 1978-80 period. The
estimate for the entire state is $40 to $70 million annually, 55% to
60% of which would be allotted to the Denver area.

Agency eligibility to receive grants is not considered a long-term
constraint since those who have not utilized user charges and indus-
trial cost recovery systems required by PL 92-500 are now developing
those procedures.

Financial Criteria and Evaluation Methodology

Cost effectiveness and cost benefit criteria were applied to the
financial analysis since effectiveness and benefit are major concerns
of local officials and federal legislators. In order to apply cost
effectiveness criteria to the evaluation of water quality control
alternatives clearly defined water quality objectives are needed.
For municipal wastewater treatment facilities the requirement of
PL 92-500 is only that the "best practicable" technology be implemented
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38

by 1983. The result of applying cost effectiveness criteria to the
alternatives may be the modification of water quality objectives to more
attainable levels.

The cost benefit analysis differs from cost effectiveness primarily in
that it does not relate to a specific objective. Although simple in
theory, this procedure is difficult to apply to water quality control
measures because of the difficulty in quantifying the value of water
quality. This analysis was conducted by a process of elimination by
which alternatives producing benefits of less value than other alterna-
tives were discarded.

The methodology used to evaluate the.financial feasibility of the
financial plan alternatives included the following steps:

1. Selection of the most cost beneficial alternatives.

2. Development of preliminary financial plans for each alternative.

3. Financial data review by agencies that would be affected by plan
implementation.

A. Incorporation of agency input with preliminary plans.

5. Presentation of preliminary plans to Water Quality Management Task
Force for evaluation.

The financial arrangements methodology consisted of evaluation of
the following criteria for each agency.

1. Legality. Does existing legislation permit this form of revenue?
If not, can legislation be implemented soon enough to support the
financial plan without delaying total plan implementation?

2. Costs.

3. Flexibility. Can revenue sources be adapted to new measures?

4. Reliability. Will revenue sources continue or are they dependent
upon annual legislative action?

5. Political acceptability.

6. Compatibility with existing revenue sources.

Preliminary Financial Plans

Preliminary financial plans should delineate agency responsibility
in the following areas; (1) control of point source pollution, (2)
monitoring and regulation, and (3) continued planning. Issues of
capital cost projections, debt service, operation and maintenance
and administrative costs, service charges, borrowing, and other major
revenues and expenditures should be addressed in the plans. Upon
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39

completion of alternative plan selection a more critical evaluation of
financial arrangements will be required to determine the feasibility of
implementing the selected alternative.

REVIEW OF THE 208 CLEAN WATER PROGRAM

The Clean Water Program is a complex effort involving the participation
of governmental agencies and citizens throughout the Denver metropolitan
region. Its goal is not only to respond to federal legislation mandating
water quality improvements by 1983, but to accomplish state and local
goals of improved environmental .qualities. Planning, management, and
financing are the basic concerns of the program. The most cost effec-
tive and cost beneficial methodologies will be employed to accomplish
the stated goals.

New technologies and processes will have to be considered, especially
in dealing with the problems of nonpoint source pollution in urbanized
areas. Consolidation of existing wastewater treatment systems and
cooperation among management agencies will facilitate the reduction
of point source pollution on a regional basis. Establishment of an
areawide planning agency will expedite problem analysis and funding
solutions on both the regional and local levels. Any attempt to re-
organize governmental activities results ,in -a feeling of insecurity
and loss of autonomy for the agencies affected, but through close
coordination and constant communication with all agencies involved
the 208 Clean Water Program continuing planning process should pro-
vide a smooth transition into a well managed, highly effective water
quality maintenance program.
-------