The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
Major road impacts likely not until 2028
[ By Kendra Walker ]
The Mt. Crested Butte town council recently heard an update on the Mt. Crested Butte Water and Sanitation District’s upcoming plans for its major interceptor line construction project. During their May 19 meeting, the council expressed appreciation to have a representative finally appear in person to talk through the project and answer their questions, but they also made their frustrations known regarding the district’s lack of communication and transparency in the past, as well as the uncertainties of funding the project’s $26 million price tag.
The interceptor line, also known as a trunk line, in Mt. CB spans along Gothic Road from Prospect Drive all the way down to the district’s wastewater treatment facility at the entrance to the town. Water and San’s interim district manager Nicole Bogenschuetz explained that the line currently conveys 700-1,080 gallons per minute (gpm) of sewer flow. “At buildout, the line can convey 1,800 gallons per minute,” she said. “Our flows are going to double based on potential new development. That’s why we need our capacity increased.” She noted that the future demand is based on assuming each lot is developed to the maximum units allowed by the town code’s zoning, per its 2023 Master Plan.
The project design is 90% complete and the district is now working on easements, coordinating with town staff on infrastructure impacts and finalizing the design for the remainder of 2026. Bogenschuetz explained that the project has been split into two phases: condition construction and capacity construction.
Condition construction is slated to begin in 2027 and would target maintenance and repair of the lining in 1,000 feet of the pipe, known as cured-in-place pipe (CIPP). “HDR (the district’s design and engineering consultant) has designed a cured pipe to lay in that Gothic line interceptor,” she said. “We anticipate that to have pretty limited impact on the community,” with minimal disruption on the street level.
The second phase of the project will tackle the major capacity construction, currently projected to begin in 2028. This will include removing and replacing the current eight to 12-inch pipes with a new 15-inch diameter pipe on the interceptor line from Snowmass Road to Prospect Drive.
“Between 2028 and 2032 we’re hoping to do the capacity construction. We know installing the new Gothic Road interceptor is going to have an impact on the community,” said Bogenschuetz, noting the construction will include partial and full road closures, one-way traffic with flaggers, mandatory detours, local resident access plans and pedestrian path closures. The construction window will take place roughly between April 1 to October 15.
The current design estimates the project cost at $26,520,000. Bogenschuetz said approximately $500,000 is covered with the district’s capital projects budget. Any new development in Mt. Crested Butte is expected to pitch in on the remaining costs. “The board has been very clear that development pays the way,” she said. “We put together a Line Expansion Sewer Tap Fee – that fee is based on the maximum flow we’re expecting for each parcel, then we calculated what their percentage would be.”
According to the district’s resolution, “The Board desires to impose a “Capacity Expansion Sewer Tap Fee” on each of the Benefited Properties in an amount equal to each such property’s Proportionate Share. A Developer must pay the District the Capacity Expansion Sewer Tap Fee before connecting to the District’s wastewater system.”
Bogenschuetz said property owners of the identified developable land can look up their parcel and percentage on the district’s website.
“I would love to know the breakdown of this and what town’s expectations are,” said Morris, noting the uncertainty of whether the town’s parcels designated as open space were considered part of the district’s calculations.
“So, if you’re currently getting a bill, any increase in that bill would not be tied to this interceptor project?” asked councilmember Roman Kolodziej.
“Not right now, no,” said Bogenschuetz.
“How might that change?” said Kolodziej. “I’m just trying to identify how this is going to affect Water and Sanitation customers.”
“Right now, we believe development pays the way. This is a board decision,” said Bogenschuetz.
“If it’s not built on for another 10 years, you’re not going to collect,” said councilmember Bruce Nation. “Where does that portion come from?”
“We have a lot of work to do to try to make up the difference. That’s a part of the question mark we’re at and actively trying to solve right now,” said Bogenschuetz, noting the district is currently researching other funding options.
“In order to get paid all the way back, does every piece of developable land have to get built on?” asked Kolodziej.
“Yes. That was the only way to have development pay the way,” said Bogenschuetz.
“I would argue there’s a history within the organization that’s highly suspect,” said councilmember Steve Morris, noting former leadership had assured the council the town had plenty of capacity and infrastructure as they reviewed major development applications in the past. “It has created a reputational challenge, so this is so incredibly exciting to have you here and talking to us. Traditionally there has been a deliberate split between these two organizations that has harbored frustrations over the years. We’ve made such massive reductions in the scope of town’s development, yet we’re still being told by Water and San that it’s still an issue when we were told for years that it wasn’t an issue.”
“The hard part is there was a lot of uncertainty around development,” said Bogenschuetz. “Now a lot of these developers have shown up and are getting along with plans and submitted capacities. There’s a lot less uncertainty in our system now than previously.”
She said the district is also trying to collaborate much more closely with the town. “We’re trying to break down some of these historical walls that existed, having more peers talk to each other. We’re trying to work together more.” She recognized there is still more communication and outreach to do to fully coordinate on upcoming town projects, traffic control, pedestrian reroutes, bus lines, etc.
She continued, “This is where we’re at today. This is the challenge that we’re facing and it’s really hard to predict what’s going to happen in the future. We’re doing the best with the information we have.”
Bogenschuetz said she expects more information following the Water and San board meeting on June 9.
