Fisherman with dam at John Martin Resevoir in distance
Colorado Parks and Wildlife Dams
Colorado Parks and Wildlife owns and operates the largest inventory of dams in the state of Colorado. The water impounded is used for purposes such as downstream irrigation, fisheries management and aquatic operations, and a multitude of recreational activities including fishing, boating and swimming.
over 120
Dams owned and operated by CPW
over $136.7
million allocated for dam safety related work
Our Work
The average age of CPW’s High and Significant Hazard dams is 78 years. Six of these dams were constructed over 100 years ago. Most of CPW’s dams were built between 1940 and the mid-1960s. Colorado Parks and Wildlife has four full-time Dam Safety Engineers who, with the help of other dedicated staff located around the state, manage all the work and monitoring on CPW’s dams. They perform regular dam safety inspections on all CPW-owned dams and maintain current Emergency Action Plans for First Responders.
Dam Repairs and Maintenance
Public Safety is Our First Priority
Public infrastructure and population centers are often located downstream, which increases the likelihood of devastating consequences in the event of a dam failure. Maintenance and rehabilitation of CPW’s dams is of paramount importance to CPW.
What is CPW doing about its dams?
As dams age and their structures deteriorate, more involved activities are needed to bring them back into compliance with safety regulations. Given the significant costs associated with those necessary repairs and maintenance, CPW performed a Portfolio Risk Assessment (RA) completed in 2025 to provide an overview of its dams’ risk profiles and assist in the prioritization of future projects. This project was an update to the Screening Level Risk Analysis (SLRA) study performed in 2014. The 2025 RA study identified the most critical rehabilitation needs on CPW’s High and Significant Hazard dams. The 2025 RA evaluated the potential risk of CPW’s High and Significant hazard dams based on the following criteria in the event of a dam failure:
Primary Consideration
- Loss of human life downstream
Secondary Consideration
- Environmental, Economic, and Recreational impacts
Based on these measures, the 2025 RA is being used to guide resource allocation across the dams portfolio. The 2025 RA study indicates that CPW has made significant progress on improving dam safety since the 2014 SLRA. Since the 2014 release of the SLRA’s findings, CPW has worked to repair 20 dams that had an unacceptable level of risk (5 are Parks-owned dams and 15 are Wildlife-owned dams). The 2025 RA indicates that as of spring 2026, only 3 dams in CPW’s portfolio remain in immediate need of rehabilitation due to unacceptable risk to life safety.
Major Dam Safety Project Successes in 2025 Included:
- Big Meadows Dam - Completed emergency spillway repairs caused by extreme flooding in October 2025
- Garnet Mesa Dam (Sweitzer State Park) - Undertook and completed spillway removal and replacement construction work
- Meadow Creek Dam - Undertook and substantially completed a high-elevation dam rehabilitation construction using the Construction Manager/General Contractor (CM/GC) project delivery method
- Lake Christine Dam - Completed abutment slope stabilization and seepage filtration and collection construction work
- Upper Elk Falls Dam - Undertook and substantially completed a high-elevation dam rehabilitation construction using the Construction Manager/General Contractor (CM/GC) project delivery method
- Big Beaver Dam - Completed design for outlet works and seepage mitigation and began construction
- Upper Highline Dam - Began final design for a spillway replacement and seepage mitigation project
- Spring Creek Dam - Began preliminary design activities for the comprehensive rehabilitation of the dam
Annual Release of Upcoming Projects Anticipated over the next 2 Years
Colorado Parks & Wildlife (CPW) has a number of dam-specific projects anticipated over the next 2 years. In an effort to help engineering firms and construction contractors plan for these potential upcoming opportunities, the CPW Dam Safety Program is providing the general project information below. Typically, this list will be updated annually near the end of Q1. Please note that these project details are subject to change based on a number of factors, such as funding
and future inspections, and therefore, there is no guarantee that the projects will occur as described herein. Similarly, the CPW Dam Safety Program may release additional projects during this time period that are not listed below.
When a project is initiated, the solicitation will be posted on the Colorado Vendor Self Service website. Those who are interested in viewing active solicitations or registering for automatic alerts can do so at https://vss.state.co.us.
The current budget situation in the State of Colorado in 2026 has made planning of CPW’s Dam Safety projects more difficult. Projects may be delayed based on funding availability and other factors. We appreciate your understanding and patience.
Q2 of 2026
- Spring Creek Dam Spillway Rehab and Seepage Mitigation CMGC Pre-Construction
CMGC Pre-Construction services for the Spring Creek Dam spillway rehabilitation and seepage mitigation project. Spring Creek Dam is located north of Gunnison, CO. This project will be the CMGC public RFP solicitation for the Pre-Construction Phase, spanning from summer 2026 through spring 2027 (coinciding with approximately 30%-100% design). Construction is expected to commence in summer 2027, and the
selected CMGC contractor will have the opportunity to perform the construction phase, pending successful completion of the pre-construction phase.
Q3 of 2026
- Lake John Dam Slope Stabilization and Spillway Repairs
The scope of this project is currently in flux. CPW intends to pursue some level of interim repair measures on the Lake John Dam in Jackson County, CO, in 2026/2027.
This project may include professional services to complete a design for the rehabilitation of the upstream slope, the spillway, and, potentially, the outlet works.
This project may also include relatively minor construction services to repair concrete structures and local slope failures. - La Jara Dam Seepage Evaluation and Monitoring System Design and Installation
Professional services to evaluate dam seepage, develop a monitoring (and/or collection) system design, and (potentially) complete installation.
Q4 of 2026
Currently, there are no new projects planned for this quarter. Refer to the Colorado Vendor Self Service website (https://vss.state.co.us) to view active solicitations and to register for automatic alerts.
Q1 of 2027
- Outlet Rehabilitation Designs, Multiple Dams
Professional services to complete the outlet rehabilitation designs and construction documents on approximately 4 dams around the State. Dams are classified as Significant Hazard, and each has had noted deficiencies in outlet conduit condition.
This project may consider a Professional Services Contract Amendment to include the provision of Engineering Construction Services during future Construction Phases.
Q2 of 2027
- Golden Gate Canyon State Park Dams Rehabilitation Construction
Construction services to rehabilitate up to seven small dams located within Golden Gate Canyon State Park (GGCSP). The seven dams in GGCSP are in need of varying levels of repairs, including outlet rehabs/installations, slope repairs, spillway grading/armoring, drain installations, etc. This construction project is expected to commence in summer 2027 and will require close coordination with CPW on construction scheduling, as the Park will remain open during construction.
Q3 of 2027
- Beaver Park Dam Seepage Reduction
Construction services to investigate and/or complete work to reduce end-around seepage at the Beaver Park reservoir in Rio Grande County, CO. This project is being pursued for water rights considerations and to reduce water losses. This project is contingent on project costs & grant funding pursuits, and the timeline is subject to change. It will not be solicited prior to summer 2027.
Q4 of 2027
- Flagler Dam Decommissioning, Removal, and Habitat Restoration Construction
Construction services to complete the construction of the designed decommissioning and removal of the Flagler Dam and habitat restoration within the Flagler State Wildlife Area. This project is contingent on grant funding pursuits, and the timeline is subject to change. It will not be solicited prior to fall 2027. - Trujillo Meadows Dam Seepage Evaluation and Monitoring System Design and Installation
Professional services to evaluate dam seepage, develop a monitoring (and/or collection) system design, and (potentially) complete installation. - Big Meadows, Miramonte, and/or Echo Canyon Dams Piezometer Installation
Professional services to plan and complete the installation of piezometers and other beneficial monitoring equipment.