Colorado State Fair neighbor expresses frustration with longtime stormwater issue but relief is coming
Scott Harrison
PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) — Dan Heberly lives along Beulah Avenue on the east side of the Colorado State Fairgrounds, but he’s not feeling neighborly toward fair officials, let alone city officials.
Heberly, 72, said that the city hasn’t responded to several requests to resolve a flooding problem on the street that also affects his yard.
He explained that every time it rains, stormwater backs up, floods Beulah in front of his house, and even his front yard — leaving gravel, sediment, and other debris behind that he has to clean up.
“It’s been a problem for 15 years,” Heberly said. “When I ask the city about it, they keep saying they’re doing a study on it. I’m tired of it. I don’t want to spend the rest of my life cleaning up messes.”
He believes that what causes the flooding is the street either not having enough storm drains or having them too far apart.
“And those drains get clogged with trash that blows over from the fairgrounds, and with other stuff,” he added.”
Heberly said that he refused to clean up the latest mess, yet he was in his yard before dawn on Thursday, using a vacuum to remove some of the gravel.
KRDO 13’s The Road Warrior contacted city officials about the situation on Wednesday and awaited a response.
However, The Road Warrior later found a three-phase plan posted on the city’s website to make stormwater updates a mile east of the Beulah/Summit Avenue intersection, including that intersection, that should eliminate flooding on the east side of the fairgrounds.
The posted plan doesn’t include a timetable or cost.
Below are the details posted on the city’s website:
SUMMIT AVENUE OUTFALL – STORMWATER REPLACEMENT
This area has experienced significant flooding over the years. The existing Stormwater system lacks the capacity to handle even a small rain event, and property has been damaged due to the undersized Stormwater System. The flooding has often occurred during the Colorado State Fair event and affects travel around the fairgrounds. The project will include a detailed drainage analysis and Stormwater upgrades that will be accomplished in at least 3 phases.
Phase 1: Will include a detailed drainage analysis and Stormwater upgrades on outfall and Washington Street.
Phase 2: Will include Stormwater upgrades on Routt Avenue and Madison Street.
Phase 3: Will include Stormwater upgrades on Summit Avenue up to the Colorado State Fairgrounds.