Aurora Submits Wild Horse Reservoir Permit

The state is reviewing the Park County water project under new wetland regulations.

Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Utilities

Isometric editorial illustration of an earthen dam in an arid valley, representing a proposed reservoir infrastructure project. — The city of Aurora has submitted a permit application for the 93,000 acre-foot Wild Horse Reservoir, currently under review in Park County, Colorado. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Do you support state-level regulations to replace federal wetland protections for local water projects?

Aurora has submitted a permit application for the proposed Wild Horse Reservoir in Park County to store 93,000 acre-feet of water. The project is currently undergoing review by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

Why it matters

The city intends to use the project to secure water supplies for future growth-driven demand. This marks the first test of state-level wetland protections established following recent shifts in federal oversight.

The proposed reservoir carries an estimated cost exceeding $600 million and will hold 93,000 acre-feet of water. For reference, the current Spinney Mountain Reservoir holds 53,651 acre-feet.

The players

Aurora

This Colorado municipality is the primary developer behind the proposed Wild Horse Reservoir project.

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

This state agency is responsible for enforcing environmental standards, including the new wetland regulations.

The details

The project is the first to face scrutiny under Colorado's Regulation 87, which was adopted in December 2025 to manage wetland protections. State regulators have approximately two years to complete the evaluation of the proposal.

December 2025: Colorado approved Regulation 87 for wetland protection.
November 19, 2026: Public comment period deadline for the project.
5 to 6 years: Estimated duration for project construction.
5 to 10 years: Estimated time required to fill the reservoir.

Market Landscape

The project follows the 2023 Sackett v. EPA Supreme Court ruling, which prompted states to create their own frameworks like Regulation 87 for wetland oversight. This application forces an early test of the balance between municipal growth and new state environmental mandates.

Residents and stakeholders have until mid-November to provide input on the proposed reservoir development. The long-term project timeline suggests that construction and water filling activities will not impact the local area for several years.

The takeaway

Securing long-term water supplies remains a critical infrastructure challenge for growing Colorado cities. Public participation during the current review window is a key mechanism for citizens to voice concerns regarding large-scale environmental projects.