County staff reviews Kettle Creek annexation impact report; Colorado Springs to hear case July 14

El Paso County staff presented an annexation impact report submitted by the City of Colorado Springs for Kettle Creek Edition No. 1, a proposed annexation of roughly 19.884 acres immediately adjacent to Colorado Springs. The county emphasized that, under the cited statutory authority in the transcript, it does not approve or deny annexation impact reports but evaluates potential impacts and notifies the public.

The staff presentation, led by planning manager Justin Kilgore, said the parcels (62280 01 0006 009 and 010) are currently zoned RR5 and RR2.5 and are described in the county master plan as suburban residential, with an illustrative density of 5 to 16 dwelling units per acre and a portion intended as open space. Staff noted that the annexation impact report was received June 9 and that the city council hearing is scheduled for July 14, 2026.

Kilgore summarized the county’s review criteria: “requisite level of utility services, requisite level of police and fire, encourage growth patterns, and whether the annexation will create unreasonable roadway maintenance or drainage problems,” and cited the transcript’s reference to statutory review authority and section 10.1.7 for standards of review.

During questioning, Commissioner Williams raised whether Old Ranch Road would be taken over by the city as development expands. Deputy County Engineer Gilbert Laorse replied that with annexations “they're slowly annexing portions of that Old Ranch Road,” but that the office did not yet have fully defined boundary lines for all remaining unincorporated segments. Commissioners discussed that as city development surrounds county parcels, responsibility for maintenance and traffic impacts becomes a policy concern.

Staff noted that the annexation impact report evaluates potential utility, emergency services and roadway impacts and that the request will next be considered by the City of Colorado Springs on July 14. Applicants and representatives listed in the staff presentation included Waldo and Rebecca Pendleton and Mark and Lynn George of Challenger Homes. The county record showed 19.884 acres involved and that the parcels are in Commissioner District 1.

The staff presentation included factual technical points: the property is in the West Cherry Creek drainage basin (no bridge or drainage fees were assessed), notice to surrounding property owners was mailed May 27, and the county’s role on annexation impact reports is informational rather than a final approval step. No members of the public spoke during the county meeting on this item.

The annexation impact report will be on the City of Colorado Springs agenda for July 14, 2026, where the formal annexation decision will occur.