Dear friends and neighbors: As you know, the Vallecito valley experienced a major flood event in October of 2025 leaving property damage, debris, and an unstable stream bed in its wake. We now face the risk of even more damaging floods caused by lower and less sudden precipitation amounts. These conditions pose threats to life, property, and emergency response.
To address these threats, the Upper Pine River Fire Protection District (UPRFPD) has partnered with the Emergency Watershed Protection District which is a unit within the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to develop a Comprehensive Improvement Plan for flood-recovery and hazard-mitigation. This plan addresses debris removal, channel and bank stabilization, culvert and access protection, as well as creek drainage and flood-flow improvements. Current estimates by NRCS are that the total project cost will is estimated at $5,610,308.00.
To implement this plan, NRCS has agreed to fund 75% and the State of Colorado has committed to fund 12.5% of the cost. To receive the Federal and State matching funds, however, local property owners need to supply the remaining 12.5% of the total project cost.
In order for us to meet this 12.5% ($626,288.50) match, the UPRFPD is in the process of establishing a Special Improvement District (SID). The SID, under the direction of UPRFPD, will assess fees to property owners within the Vallecito Flood Corridor (see attached map). This area contains 876 parcels which means each lot would be assessed a total of approximately $715. Payment of the assessment can be spread out over 10 years at no interest which produces a $70-$75 annual assessment. This assessment will be included in your LaPlata County property tax until the total amount is paid. The assessment shows as a line item on your bill and is Not a permanent tax increase. These figures are rough estimates since administrative details including bookkeeping have yet to be determined.
A formal notice of intent to establish a SID including specific assessments will be mailed to all property owners within the Vallecito Flood Corridor by the end of February 2026.
While the flood was devastating to our community, this flood recovery effort is an opportunity to unify the community around the shared goal of protecting our little valley.
Thank you,
Mike Muir, Project Manager
Upper Pine River Fire Protection District
Proposed Special Improvement District (SID) for Flood Recovery and Hazard Mitigation
Upper Pine River Fire Protection District — Vallecito Creek Corridor
1. Purpose of the Plan
This Comprehensive Improvement Plan outlines the need, scope, benefits, and implementation strategy for establishing a Special Improvement District (SID) to support flood‑recovery and hazard‑mitigation improvements along Vallecito Creek and adjacent affected areas. The plan is intended to provide the Upper Pine River Fire Protection District Board with the information necessary to initiate SID formation.
2. Background and Need
2.1 Flood Events and Impacts
The 2025 flood events along Vallecito Creek caused significant damage to private property, public infrastructure, and emergency‑access routes. Impacts include:
• Large debris deposits obstructing natural flow
• Bank erosion and channel migration threatening homes and access roads
• Undermined driveways and culverts
• Loss of safe emergency‑response corridors
• Increased risk of future flood damage due to unstable channel conditions
These conditions pose ongoing threats to life, property, and emergency response.
2.2 Public Safety Considerations
Upper Pine River Fire Protection District has statutory responsibility to protect life and property. Flood‑related damage has:
• Reduced access for fire, EMS, and rescue operations
• Increased response times
• Created hazardous conditions for residents and responders
• Compromised evacuation routes
Mitigation is necessary to restore safe access and reduce future risk.
3. Purpose of the Special Improvement District (SID)
The SID will provide a fair, transparent, and legally supported mechanism to:
• Fund flood‑recovery and hazard‑mitigation improvements
• Coordinate work across multiple properties
• Leverage state and federal cost‑share programs
The SID ensures that properties receiving direct benefit contribute proportionally to the cost of improvements.
4. Proposed Improvements
The following improvements are proposed within the SID boundary. Final design will be completed in coordination with NRCS and qualified engineers.
4.1 Debris Removal
• Removal of flood‑deposited woody debris, sediment, and obstructions
• Restoration of natural flow paths
• Reduction of future blockage and overtopping risk
4.2 Channel and Bank Stabilization
• Rock armoring, bioengineering, or structural stabilization
• Re‑establishment of stable channel geometry
• Protection of homes, driveways, and utilities
4.3 Culvert and Access Protection
• Armoring of driveway crossings
• Protection of emergency‑access routes
4.4 Drainage and Flood‑Flow Improvements
• Regrading to restore natural drainage
• Removal of artificial berms or blockages
• Improvements to reduce overbank flooding
5. SID Boundary
The SID boundary will include properties that directly benefit from the improvements. A map and legal description will be prepared by the District in consultation with landowners and partner agencies.
6. Cost Estimate and Funding Strategy
6.1 Preliminary Cost Estimate
Costs will include:
• Engineering and design
• Environmental permitting
• Construction and materials
• Project management
A refined estimate will be prepared during the SID formation process.
6.2 Funding Sources
The SID may utilize:
• NRCS Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) cost‑share
• State or county emergency‑mitigation funds
• SID assessments on benefiting properties
• Supplemental funding
6.3 Assessment Structure
Assessments may be based on:
• Benefit received
• Frontage
• Acreage
• Hazard exposure
• A hybrid method
The goal is an “Equal Share” approach or total amount parceled out evenly. The District will select a method that is equitable and legally defensible.
6.4 Prepayment Option
Yet to be determined… the goal is: Property owners may pay their assessment in full before financing is finalized. Remaining assessments will be financed over a defined term, (typically 10–20 years) aim is 10 years.
7. Implementation Timeline
Phase 1 — SID Formation (30 days)
• Public Education
• Board Resolution of Intent
• Public notice and petition
• Resolution Creating the SID
• Assessment roll preparation
Phase 2 — Design and Permitting (30–60days: already begun)
• Engineering design
• NRCS coordination
• Environmental and regulatory approvals
Phase 3 — Construction (60–180 days)
• Mobilization
• Debris removal
• Channel stabilization
• Access and drainage improvements
8. Benefits of the SID
For Landowners
• Coordinated, professional mitigation work
• Reduced flood risk
• Protection of property and access
• Eligibility for federal cost‑share
• Predictable, equitable cost structure
For the Fire District
• Restored emergency‑access routes
• Reduced response times
• Improved safety for responders
• Long‑term hazard reduction
For the Community
• Increased resilience
• Protection of watershed function
• Reduced future disaster costs
9. Transition, Extension, or Termination of the SID
9.1 Purpose of This Section
9.2 Completion of Improvements and Transition to Stewardship
Upon completion of the SID‑funded improvements, the District will:
• Verify that all work has been completed in accordance with approved designs, permits, and funding‑agency requirements.
• Conduct a final inspection with NRCS, engineers and affected landowners.
• Formally close out construction contracts and grant agreements.
Once construction is complete, ongoing stewardship responsibilities—such as routine monitoring, vegetation establishment, and minor maintenance—may transition to:
• A voluntary landowner group or association, or
• Another local entity willing to assume stewardship.
The District may provide guidance on best practices for long‑term maintenance but will not retain permanent responsibility unless separately authorized.
9.3 Mechanism to Extend the SID
If landowners determine that additional work, follow‑up stabilization, or long‑term maintenance should be coordinated and funded collectively, the SID may be extended. An extension may be initiated when:
• Additional improvements are needed to maintain the function of the original project,
• New hazards emerge that require coordinated mitigation, or
• Landowners wish to establish a long‑term maintenance program.
An extension requires:
• A petition from the required percentage of landowners,
• A Board Resolution of Intent,
• Public notice and hearing, and
• A Resolution Extending or Modifying the SID.
Any extension will include a new scope of work, updated cost estimates, and a revised assessment structure.
9.4 Termination of the SID
The SID may be terminated once:
• All improvements have been completed,
• All financial obligations (including bonds or financing instruments) have been satisfied, and
• All grant or cost‑share requirements have been closed out.
Upon termination:
• The SID ceases to levy assessments,
• The District issues a final report documenting completion, and
• The SID boundary and assessment roll are formally dissolved.
Termination does not prevent landowners from forming a new SID in the future if additional coordinated work becomes necessary.
10. Conclusion
The proposed SID provides a fair, efficient, and legally supported mechanism to complete essential flood‑recovery and hazard‑mitigation work along Vallecito Creek. The improvements will protect life, property, and emergency‑access routes while leveraging available state and federal funding.
A Right of Entry (ROE) form gives permission for trained personnel to enter specific areas of your property solely for the purpose of assessment, debris removal, and hazard‑mitigation work related to the 2025 flood.
Signing an ROE does not transfer ownership, does not create any ongoing obligation, and does not allow unrelated activities. It simply authorizes access so we can safely complete the work that protects homes, infrastructure, and the community.
https://forms.gle/a37PYicj9Z7yx5sS8
Example of a fluvial fan showing how a stream spreads and deposits sediment across a fan‑shaped surface. Similar depositional patterns influence Vallecito Creek after high‑flow events.