Canon City Council referred concerns from Stacy Brack and Denise J. Jennings about Title 19 ditch lateral enforcement to the Finance and Public Works Committee at their February 2 meeting, following a 2025 court ruling that found the city cannot force non-shareholders to maintain water infrastructure. The testimony revealed 22 properties on one street with only eight actual water shareholders, raising questions about the scope of potentially incorrect enforcement citywide. Mayor Phil Lund announced 21 citizens appointed to three new standing committees from 43 applications, with each committee having seven citizen members and full voting power. The board unanimously approved a consent agenda including $100,000 in water meter purchases from Ferguson, sale of 311 N. Fourth Street for $8,000 to Dennis Wied, and Library/Museum Board appointments of Loren Flick and Jody Enderle. Additional testimony addressed water fluoridation removal requests, Canyon Club Apartments living conditions, and economic development updates including Enterprise Rent-A-Car opening and Bustang bus service returning February 17.
Ditch Lateral Enforcement Questions
Stacy Brack detailed a property owner’s 1.5-year ordeal with flooding caused by ditch lateral failures on 14th and College streets. Brack said 22 properties on the street have ditch laterals but only eight own water shares, questioning how many non-shareholders were forced to make repairs.
Denise J. Jennings, who won court case 2025C1138 against the city, said Title 19 ordinances have been applied incorrectly to property owners who don’t own water shares. Jennings said the presiding judge suggested bringing the matter to council’s attention.
A ditch board member told council that removing driveways over laterals could have consequences for the water system. City Administrator Ryan Stevens and Lund referred both residents to the Finance and Public Works Committee, which meets Thursday, February 6 at 3:45 p.m.
Committee Structure Overhaul
Council eliminated previous standing committees and created three new committees with seven citizen members each. The Finance and Public Works Committee is chaired by Fred Toney, the Public Safety and Quality of Life Committee is chaired by Amy Schmisseur, and the Economic Development Committee is chaired by Lund.
Lund said selecting 21 citizens from 43 applications was difficult but aimed for diverse voices representing different areas. Each committee has four members from within city limits and three from outside the city limits. Council member Gerald Meloni suggested an attendance policy to allow reappointment if committee members cannot attend regularly.
Committee appointments run through December 31, 2026, with a June 1 review to assess how the structure is working. All committee meetings are open to the public.
Consent Agenda
Council unanimously approved the consent agenda. The city awarded a water meter purchase contract to Ferguson with a $100,000 limit for ongoing infrastructure replacements.
The board approved selling 311 N. Fourth Street for $8,000 to adjacent property owner Dennis Wied. Stevens said the city had purchased and demolished the dilapidated structure using an EPA grant to address asbestos issues.
Council reappointed Loren Flick and appointed Jody Enderle to the Library/Museum Board. The board also approved agreements with Colorado Jeep Tours and Canon City Hydraulic Ditch Company.
Housing and Water Quality Concerns
A resident testified about dangerous conditions at Canyon Club Apartments, including noncompliant property management and an upcoming elevator shutdown during eviction proceedings. The resident said police and crisis intervention teams are already involved.
A resident requested removal of added fluoride from municipal water, citing personal choice concerns. The resident said more than 200 communities have ended fluoridation and noted Colorado Springs doesn’t fluoridate its water. Stevens said voter approval would be required since citizens originally approved fluoridation. The request was referred to the Water Committee.
Economic Development and Infrastructure Updates
Stevens reported Enterprise Rent-A-Car opened at Zimmerman’s Body Shop, 715 S. 8th Street. Bustang bus service returns February 17, stopping at the Royal Gorge Chamber Alliance location at 816 Royal Gorge Boulevard.
Stevens said Rhodes Avenue water main repairs are complete, with street paving planned this week. Gas line removal was postponed. A Western Gateway Park public open house is scheduled February 19, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Chamber building.
The administrator’s report detailed ongoing lead service line verification with four batches of addresses being processed. A Royal Gorge representative provided an update on Chamber Foundation activities, though specific details were not included in meeting materials.
The next council meeting is February 16.
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