A four-year water lease contract agreement under consideration between the City of Cripple Creek and Cripple Creek and Victor (CC&V) mining corporation was again tabled at the city council meeting held March 4.

The water lease agreement is primarily for water use at CC&V mining operations at the Cresson Mine.

According to a Feb. 11, memorandum to council from City Administrator Frank Salvato, the previous agreement was scheduled to end on Dec. 31, but with the sale to SSR Mining, Newmont, the previous owner, requested a 90-day extension to March 31 to allow time to reach a new agreement.

“In the past, Victor and (Cripple Creek) discussed the contract first, and then we talked to CC&V about it,” Salvato said. “Last year did not go that way. Newmont did not talk to the City of Cripple Creek; they made a deal with Victor. (The 2024) agreement was extended through 2025 with CC&V; they also negotiated a contract with Victor.”

Following discussion with the city’s water attorney, the Feb. 18 agenda item was tabled until the March 4 council meeting which was again tabled.

“With the assistance of Chris Cummins, city water attorney, staff is presenting a new lease agreement with CC&V Mine for consideration,” Salvato said. “The current draft is set to expire on December 31, 2030.”

Salvato says the City of Victor water lease agreement with CC&V Mine is for 30 years with a renewed look at the cost per ac-ft. of water and the annual percentage increase.

The agreement states that CC&V shall pay Cripple Creek monthly for water delivered at an initial (base) rate of $1,586.25 per acre foot and that the base rate shall be adjusted upward each year at a rate of 5.75 percent to reflect increases in the fair market value of Cripple Creek water and increased production costs to provide the legal and physical supply of water.

The City of Cripple Creek is supplied by two reservoirs: Beaver Creek 1 and 2, plus alluvial wells.

Following additional contract updates, the city will consider the water lease agreement for approval at the upcoming council meeting on Apr. 1.

Also at the next council meeting, the council will consider approval to a water purchase agreement between the cities of Cripple Creek and Victor.

Park improvements, name

Improvements to the “Pocket Park” situated next to City Hall on Bennett Ave., continue with the award of a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding in the amount of $100,000, along with a $1,000 city match. Currently, the site has been given a working name of “City Hall Park.”

However, during public discussion the name “Pearl DeVere Park” along with a statue was brought to the forefront, as well as “Pocket Park” as naming options.

“Pearl DeVere Park” would honor Madam Pearl DeVere, known for her charity to the people of Cripple Creek following the devastating aftermath of the 1896 fires. Mayor Annie Durham brought up the idea of a “naming contest” and a vote to create interest and receive input from city residents.

In the meantime, “City Hall Park” has received approval from council to complete design and engineering services for park improvements through a Professional Services Agreement.

Plans include: an overall park layout accommodating future stage and concession facilities; site grading and drainage improvements; ADA-compliant surface area; utility design (electric distribution, water, and sanitary sewer connections); electrical design for lighting and vendor connections; structural foundation design for future stage and concession facilities; landscape and lighting design; geotechnical coordination; HUD/CDBG environmental clearance documentation; and stamped construction documents suitable for public bidding.