Judge dismisses Wilson Water Tank lawsuit

(COLORADO SPRINGS) — An El Paso County judge made a decision over the controversial Wilson Ranch Water Tank lawsuit on Tuesday, July 23.

In August 2023, the water tank caused controversy in the Mountain Shadows neighborhood. Many homeowners voiced their concerns about the project by Colorado Springs Utilities (Springs Utilities) and argued that the tank was built at a size much larger than was approved.

That same month, the City ordered Springs Utilities to “immediately stop any and all work associated with the construction of the water tank,” stating that it was unlawfully built.

Springs Utilities appealed both decisions and in November 2023, City Council decided — in a 5-2 vote — to overturn the planning commission decision, thus allowing the project to proceed despite multiple process errors.

The original design indicated the tank would be 45 feet at its maximum height, but now the roof of the tank reaches 60 feet.

Flying W Ranch and neighbors of the Mountain Shadows neighborhood teamed up to fight against the decision made by the city.

“I feel like we’ve been deceived,” a Colorado Springs homeowner had said previously in opposition to the project. “I feel like the whole thing has been very deceptive in regards to what they said because that tank is significantly higher and it does significantly impact the neighborhood that we live in.”

On Tuesday, July 23, a spokesperson with the City of Colorado Springs confirmed an El Paso County Court judge had dismissed the case that day.

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