Greeley Secures Federal Funds for Water Pipeline After Wildfire Crisis
Greeley has secured federal funding for a major water infrastructure project to protect its drinking supply. The Gold Hill Pipeline will connect the city’s two main water systems, addressing risks from wildfire damage. The move follows years of planning after the devastating Cameron Peak Fire in 2020. The Cameron Peak Fire, Colorado’s largest wildfire, scorched over 200,000 acres in 2020. Since then, post-fire flooding has sent heavy sediment into the Big Thompson River, threatening Greeley’s water quality. City officials warned that without action, the sediment could disrupt the water supply for years.
The Gold Hill Pipeline will link the Big Thompson and Poudre River systems, allowing water to be moved between them. This flexibility aims to reduce reliance on the contaminated Big Thompson source. Federal support was essential for the project, as local funding alone would not cover the costs. Rep. Gabe Evans pushed for the funding, securing the largest single-district allocation in the DHS funding bill. Despite this progress, Greeley must still obtain FEMA permits before construction can start. The city has not yet announced a timeline for the pipeline’s completion.
The pipeline will help safeguard Greeley’s drinking water from wildfire-related contamination. Construction cannot begin until FEMA approves the necessary permits. Once built, the system will provide a long-term solution to the city’s water security challenges.
