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Raw Sewage Threatens Colorado Community, Sierra Club Joins Efforts to Clean Up Mess

Case Updates:

December 5, 2005

Since 1998, the City of Colorado Springs has been dumping raw sewage into Fountain Creek, which runs downstream through Pueblo, Colorado, and especially through the predominately Hispanic East Side community. In the last seven years, 73 million gallons of raw sewage have flowed into this community, bringing with it serious threats to public health and safety, including dangerous bacteria levels more than 240 times higher than the state’s own limit. Nevertheless, Colorado Springs continues to authorize new development and hook ups to its sewage system, and has struck a deal with the State that would allow it to postpone necessary upgrades to its sewage system until 2012. Joining with local community members who argue that it’s unfair to let Colorado Springs off the hook while downstream families pay the price, the Environmental Law Program is filing suit to force Colorado Springs to clean up its mess as soon as possible -- before another seven years passes. The Sierra Club expects its lawsuit will be joined with a related lawsuit that the Pueblo County District Attorney has filed against Colorado Springs. This will complement Sierra Club's community activities in the area, such as a November 17 rally in the neighborhood for a discussion of the legal actions and the role local citizens can play in cleaning up Fountain Creek.

Details and Documents:

City, Sierra Club hope for quick action in suits over sewage spills
April 12, 2006 by Robert Boczkiewicz, Pueblo Chieftain

A formidable team
December 8, 2005, Editorial, Pueblo Chieftain

Sierra Club files Fountain Creek Suit
December 6, 2005 by Chris Woodka, Pueblo Chieftain

Sierra Club files lawsuit against Colorado Springs to Protect Public Health, Clean up Sewage Mess
December 5, 2005 Sierra Club Press Release

Pueblo is pissed: Downstream sewage and pipe plan critics multiply
November 24, 2005 by Dan Wilcok, Colorado Springs Independent

Editorial: Help on the way
November 23, 2005 Editorial, Pueblo Chieftain

Colorado Springs forms stormwater enterprise
November 23, 2005 by Chris Woodka, Pueblo Chieftain

Flushed downriver: Sierra Club agrees to join sewage lawsuit against Springs
November 17, 2005 by Dan Wilcok, Colorado Springs Independent

DA: Spills must be prosecuted
November 18, 2005 by Chris Woodka, Pueblo Chieftain

Congressman wants pipeline decision delay
November 16, 2005 by Chris Woodka, Pueblo Chieftain

Editorial: Better alternatives available
November 15, 2005 Editorial, Pueblo Chieftain

Church hosts meeting on Fountain Creek legal action
November 15, 2005 by Chris Woodka, Pueblo Chieftain

Colorado Springs sets date for stormwater hearing
November 9, 2005 by Chris Woodka, Pueblo Chieftain

Fountain Creek study gets boost in Congress
November 9, 2005 by Chris Woodka, Pueblo Chieftain