WP to begin Fountain Creek project: New brew pub to open in Woodland Park

Woodland Park City Council took two steps forward on the Fountain Creek drainage improvement project. The project is a collaboration of the city and Teller with funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for hazard mitigation.

The first step was to convey portions of land Teller County that borders the creek to Woodland Park. These properties on Rosemount Road, Laura Lane and Sandy Wash of Fountain Creek were platted in 1948. They were deeded to the city because it is taking the lead on the project.

An ordinance to make the deed transfer was approved on first reading at the Feb. 7 city council meeting. The county will consider the transfer at its Feb. 14 meeting and Woodland Park City Council will have its public hearing and second reading of the ordinance at its March 7 meeting.

The second step pertains to the East Fork of Fountain Creek, which runs from near Woodland Park High School to the creek's main branch near the Auto Zone Store in Safeway Plaza. The East Fork goes under U.S. 24 and through an open ditch to the creek. The project will put the creek into a 72-inch pipe that will empty into the main branch of Fountain Creek.

In a resolution, council accepted a lump sum of $250,000 from Colorado Department of Transportation for its share of project costs. The city will pay the rest and will soon be seeking bids. Councilmember Eric Smith did not participate in the discussions and votes on both steps because he owns property that will be affected by the projects.

Council also approved a tavern liquor license for Ute Pass Brewing Company, owned by Scott Jones and Todd DeRemus. The brewery will be located at 209 E. Midland Ave., the building that most recently housed Maximillian's Café.

“I've been watching that building since it Jerry's Junk,” said Councilmember Terry Harrison. It's been five or six other businesses since then.”

The owners sought a tavern license so they can open the building before the brewery is ready.

“We'll sell guest brews at first,” they said. “Once we have the brewery license and the brewery is ready, we'll sell guest brews and our own. The tavern will serve a light menu and, at first, will be open on weekday evenings and starting at about 10 a.m. on Sundays.”

Woodland Park Police Chief Robert Larson gave an overview of city fire restrictions. City Manager David Buttery is in charge of setting fire restrictions so that it can be done more quickly than it could be by council, Larson said. The city is also trying to get Rampart Range Road open to the Garden of the Gods as an alternative if flooding closes U.S. 24 at the Waldo Canyon Fire burn area.