Woodland Park awards $1.22 million contract for reservoir access roads, approves construction management and pump-station electrical change order

The Woodland Park City Council on May 7 unanimously approved a package of contracts and a change order tied to the long-planned reservoir project.

Council awarded HCG Construction the low bid of $1,224,685 to build two access roads that will enable dam construction and provide improved access to a Boy Scouts cabin, city staff said. Per El Paso County permit requirements, the first roughly 60 feet off Lloyd Gulch will be paved; the remainder of the road will be compacted dirt, staff said. The city had budgeted $2.1 million in its 2026 budget; the low bid came in substantially below that figure, and staff said most borrow material will come from on-site sources to reduce costs.

Council also approved a $124,600 contract with consultant Respect to provide construction management and testing services for the access-road work. Staff told the council Respect designed the road, performed preliminary geotechnical work on the dam site and has been involved with the project for about 15 years.

Separately, council approved a $53,866 change order to Ross Electric Enterprises Inc. to add an additional power feed, cabinets and related electrical components at the Northwell Field pump station. Staff explained the change was needed after de-energizing the facility exposed wiring issues requiring additional work.

All three items were approved on unanimous voice votes during the consent calendar. Staff said permitting with El Paso County is near completion and that geotechnical scheduling for the dam design work will follow once appropriation of the access roads is complete.

Next steps: staff will execute the contracts and proceed with preconstruction activities and testing; the council expects future contracts for dam design and related work.