MEDIA STATEMENT: Save The Poudre Considering Appeal of Thornton Pipeline Ruling 7/7/2025, Contact: Gary Wockner, Save The Poudre On July 3rd, the State District Court judge ruled on our lawsuit against the Thornton Pipeline, siding with the Larimer County Commissioners and Thornton, and against Save The Poudre. The ruling is posted here: https://www.savethepoudre.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/ORDER-REGARDING-PLAINTIFFS-COMPLAINT-FOR-JUDICIAL-REVIEW-UNDER-C.R.C.P.pdf Save The Poudre's statement: "Importantly, we believe the court's ruling contains errors and we are considering an appeal. In addition, Thornton has caused incredible acrimony in Larimer County by pounding this pipeline down the throats of neighborhoods instead of using the Poudre River Option that would enhance the health and recreational opportunities of the Poudre. Further, Thornton's proposed mitigation fund -- likely as little as $5 million from the sale of two of the eight farms they will dry up in Larimer County -- feels more like a slap in the face rather than an earnest offering to heal the conflict and improve the River in exchange for their $500 million project to send 14,000 acre feet of Poudre water to the Denver suburb. In comparison, Northern Water is sending part of their NISP water down the Poudre and collaborated with Save The Poudre to create a $100 million Poudre River Improvement Fund to address the impacts of NISP, which is $2,500 per acre foot. Thornton's pathetic offering is about $360 per acre foot. Thornton had the opportunity to do the right thing and collaborate to help restore the river through Fort Collins, but instead chose the path of conflict and litigation that continues to drain the river." -- Gary Wockner, Save The Poudre ***end***
PRESS RELEASE: Fort Collins Planning Commission “DISAPPROVES” NISP Pipeline
July 1, 2021
For Immediate Release
Contact: Gary Wockner, Save The Poudre, 970-218-8310
Fort Collins Planning and Zoning Commission “DISAPPROVES” NISP Pipeline
Fort Collins: Last night, after three hours of testimony and deliberation, the Fort Collins Planning & Zoning Commission voted 3 – 2 to “Disapprove” the Northern Integrated Supply Project’s (NISP) Site Plan Advisory Review (SPAR) application. NISP proposes to build a massive pipeline across city-owned and protected Natural Areas, and divert over 4 billion gallons of water per year out of the Poudre River, both on the eastern side of Fort Collins.
“We’re pleased with the Planning Commission’s vote,” said Gary Wockner of Save The Poudre. “NISP has no right to march into Fort Collins and cause huge damage to much-loved Natural Areas along the Poudre River that were bought and protected by and for the people of Fort Collins.”
With the Commission’s disapproval now hanging over NISP, the entire project and its convoluted 18-year history is increasingly in limbo. The Commission’s disapproval adds to the City’s formal “opposition” to NISP that was codified by the City Council in a resolution on Aug. 4, 2020. Further, Save The Poudre has multiple active lawsuits against NISP, including challenging the use of SPAR in the City of Fort Collins. At this point, it’s unclear what the NISP directors will do about the disapproval, and it’s unclear how the courts will rule on Save The Poudre’s lawsuit.
“We will fight to stop NISP as long as it takes,” said Wockner. “The people of Fort Collins have been extremely supportive and generous — they’ve given us their marching orders to protect the Poudre River and we are fighting on every front.”
Save The Poudre put comments into the SPAR process and testified at last night’s hearing.
(This press release is posted here.)
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