In a sign of Denver Water’s dedication to the environment, to its partners and to the regulatory agencies involved in reviewing and permitting the Gross Reservoir Expansion Project, the water utility for 1.5 million people wrapped up several environmental project's years ahead of the first spade of dirt ever getting turned.

“Our No. 1 objective is to do right by our partners, by our customers and by the environment,” said Jeff Martin, project manager for the Gross Reservoir Expansion Project, in this TAP story in 2021. “We’re committed to doing the expansion project the right way, so it made sense to move ahead early with these projects, to show — and not just talk about — our dedication to Colorado’s people and its ecosystems.” 

Here are some examples of that work:

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How a reservoir expansion helps rivers 

The state’s leaders have long recognized that Denver Water’s Gross Reservoir Expansion Project could also improve the state’s waterways. The resulting plan of environmental work was hailed by state environmental and political leaders for Denver Water’s willingness to commit money — and water — to improve streams, plants, fish and miles of natural habitat. 

Getting a (big) jump on a healthy environment 

This story explores the several projects — designed to offset some of the impacts of the reservoir expansion such as work to improve fish habitat, to protect water quality and to set aside open space — that were essentially finished even before Denver Water received the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s Order in July 2020 approving the project. 

A gleaming gift to the great outdoors 

Also in 2021, Denver Water was in the process of conveying 539 acres of wetlands, meadows and forests in Gilpin County to the U.S. Forest Service to be managed for public use.  

The utility agreed to provide the land for its ecological value and public use as part of a sweeping agreement with the Forest Service to offset environmental impacts associated with the expansion of Gross Reservoir to the east of the area.  

Ending a Rocky Mountain ‘Family Feud’ 

In Grand County, a new group called the “Learning By Doing Cooperative Effort” came together following the signing of the Colorado River Cooperative Agreement in 2013, which aimed to protect watersheds in the Colorado River Basin while allowing Denver Water to develop future water supplies including the Gross Reservoir expansion.  

The group aims “to maintain, and where reasonably possible, restore or enhance” the aquatic environment of Grand County. 

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Fishermen rejoice! Fraser River showing signs of recovery 

One of those projects focused on improving fish habitat through the Fraser Flats part of the Fraser River, work that showed an improving trout population in that segment of the river in 2017.

Check out our video series on the Gross Reservoir expansion’s environmental benefits.

Habitat resurrection means aquatic love connection

This project focused a nearly 1-mile stretch of the Williams Fork within the Kemp-Breeze State Wildlife Area, with the goal of increasing habitat diversity for all life stages of trout. The restoration work reshaped the channel, removed sediment, created deeper pools and more variety in rock riffles and point bars. All of it designed to create more opportunities for trout to eat, thrive and reproduce.

Denver Water makes way for toads

Denver Water, as part of an expansive environmental agreement with the Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forest, in 2019 completed its first “toad tunnel” under Vasquez Creek Road just outside Winter Park. The passage replaces an old, undersized culvert and allows aquatic organisms — in this case beleaguered boreal toads — to more easily pass from one side of the road to the other.