Southern Colorado developers are pushing for a controversial project, while community members oppose it

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) – Some southern Colorado community members have once again called for the Colorado Springs city council to vote against a massive and controversial development project.

On Tuesday, the city council heard citizen discussion and voted on whether or not to annex the land ahead of the development. In a 4 to 5 vote, the local council refused to annex the land.

The Amara development made headlines recently, with the proposal detailing a massive project that would bring thousands of homes to Colorado Springs.

Mike Ruebenson, director of operations for La Plata Communities, said he looks forward to the development should it pass. He said La Plata Communities, one of the largest developers in the region, will provide much-needed affordable housing.

“We have committed to at least 7 per cent of our homes being affordable as defined by the government’s definition,” he said.

Ruebenson also said the project is strategically positioned to be near three military installations, hoping to provide housing for the military as well.

However, Jack Goble, general manager of the Arkansas Valley Conservation District, said he is concerned that the project will deplete resources such as water.

“Utilities estimate that about 3,500 acre-feet of water will be needed, which would require about five to 6,000 acres of irrigated farmland to be permanently dry,” Goble said.

He’s expressed that concern in the past, and on Tuesday it was echoed, in part, by Manitou Springs Mayor John Graham, who talked about Colorado Springs Utilities’ ability to serve everyone who might bring it to him. He said he was concerned about CSU possibly spreading itself too thin.

Those concerns were addressed by Ruebenson, who said he would be willing to work with those hesitant about the project to make sure it works for everyone.

“Our response to that is that Master Plan communities make the best of any type of development in terms of really protecting the resources, conserving the resources as much as possible,” Ruebenson said. “If you look at our communities, even over the years, it’s evolved and become much more resource-conscious.”

Goble prepared for the possibility of the annexation passing, saying he would be willing to work with CSU and the developers to make sure the project is as sustainable as possible.

“Yes, we have regular communications with utility personnel in Colorado Springs to try to find better ways to share water,” he said. “There’s no silver bullet solution, but we have a handful of good ideas, we think, and we’re certainly willing to work with them.”

But he’s still worried about what future this project could bring, just like Mike Barloto, the man credited with Pueblo Chile.

“Growth doesn’t come without a cost,” Barloto said.

He said that in addition to resources, he is concerned about costs.

“And I think everybody is an advocate for, you know, economic growth and development, but there’s no such thing. It is just a relocation of wealth,” he said. “The increase never paid off. There are many false promises. We get the negative ending.”

The City Council heard hours of discussion on the issue after hours of delays on Tuesday.

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