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3mo ago

Colorado Springs Voters Overwhelmingly Reject Karman Line Annexation

The vote reflects widespread unease over extending scarce water supplies to a proposed 6,500-home, mixed-use development beyond city limits.

The water in the Rocky Ford ditch, which looks muddy and unclean, runs near areas that used to be farmed with water from the Lower Arkansas river in Rocky Ford, Colorado on March 25, 2025. Colorado Springs is going to need 34,000 more acre-feet a year of water in the coming decades to meet demand when the city is fully built out. Farmers in the Lower Arkansas Valley have spoken against the city's annexations of new housing developments outside the city limits since they increase the amount of water the city will need in the future. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)
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Overview

  • Unofficial results show 81.9% of voters opposed the June 17 annexation, with military and overseas ballots accepted until June 25 and final certification set for June 27.
  • Residents gathered signatures to force a referendum after the City Council approved the annexation in January at the request of Norris Ranch Joint Ventures.
  • Developers proposed a two-mile 'flagpole' annexation to connect 1,876 acres for 6,500 single-family homes and a commercial district along Bradley Road.
  • Colorado Springs Utilities estimates the city will need 34,000 more acre-feet of water by 2070 and warned the project would add about 1,672 acre-feet of annual demand.
  • Local leaders said the vote underscores public demand for more cautious growth strategies that protect water resources and limit infrastructure costs.