ERIE, Colorado Residents raised concerns about flooding, drainage infrastructure and accountability during public comment at the Erie Town Council meeting Tuesday night, as council members also approved major financial, accessibility and community funding measures.
Several speakers described ongoing groundwater and drainage issues affecting homes and properties near recent developments. John Rondash of Lafayette told council members he is pumping approximately 100 gallons of water per hour from his basement and said groundwater saturation has caused his septic system to fail. Rondash cited standing water in culverts near KB Home’s Nest Reserve at Canyon Creek development and asked the town to commission an independent hydrological assessment and improve communication with affected residents.
Meg Noffsinger, also of Lafayette, echoed those concerns and said she previously lost her home in Lyons due to extreme flooding. She told council she rebuilt and invested everything she had into her current property but is now facing similar conditions. Noffsinger said her horse can no longer live on the property due to recurring hoof abscesses caused by wet ground conditions. She urged the town to address what she described as a lack of accountability.
Additional comments focused on drainage ponds associated with the Colorado National Golf Club facility in Erie. Christine Emerson and Derek Tuz, both Erie residents, expressed concern about the maintenance, elevation and infrastructure of the ponds, particularly Pond 820. While noting the environmental and wildlife benefits of the ponds, Tuz said drainage pipe elevation and long-term maintenance plans remain unresolved. Speakers also referenced difficulties obtaining public records related to the issue through Colorado Open Records Act requests.
Following public comment, the council approved several agenda items unanimously.
Courtesy of the City
Council members adopted a proclamation recognizing Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Jan. 19, 2026, with the national theme “Mission Possible 2: Building Community, Uniting a Nation the Nonviolent Way,” and encouraged residents to observe the holiday.
The council also approved an ordinance establishing financial parameters for the acquisition and construction of several capital projects, including an expanded police station, a public safety building, mine mitigation work in the Town Center area and improvements to the Erie Community Center. The public safety building carries an estimated cost of up to $47 million. Under the approved framework, the town would incur approximately $3.4 million in annual debt over 30 years at an interest rate of about 4.66 percent, with the option to renegotiate after 10 years. Town officials said additional information will be shared with residents about opportunities to purchase bonds related to the projects.
Council members also adopted the town’s Americans with Disabilities Act Access Audit and Transition Plan. The plan, developed by the WT Group following audits conducted between 2023 and 2026, identifies barriers to accessibility in town facilities, parks and rights-of-way under Title II of the ADA. The plan outlines methods for improving access, assigns responsible officials and establishes a long-term retrofit schedule. Minimum compliance is projected to take 16 years at an estimated cost of $250,000 annually, though total costs could reach $40 million if optional improvements such as trail upgrades are included.
Finally, the council approved funding allocations through the 2026 Grants to Communities Program. With $80,000 available, which is less than in previous years despite $200,000 in requests, the council prioritized organizations providing direct services over event-based nonprofits. Officials noted that demand for grant funding continues to exceed available resources.