Karman Line’s 1,672 Acre-Feet Deficit Drop-Kicks Colorado Springs’ Water Woes into Overdrive!

The Karman Line annexation, a 1,900-acre development in Colorado Springs, adds a 1,672 acre-foot water deficit—roughly 545 million gallons—to the city’s already strained 34,000 acre-foot shortfall for existing build-out, projected to hit by 2070.

El Paso County, Colorado Front Range

The developer, One La Plata, claims the city’s water supply is sufficient, citing Colorado Springs Utilities’ (CSU) current 95,000 acre-foot capacity against 70,000 acre-feet used annually.

But CSU’s long-term plan admits needing 129,000 acre-feet for full build-out, with Karman Line’s extra demand pushing the gap wider. CSU’s strategy—sourcing 15,000–25,000 acre-feet from the Lower Arkansas Valley, plus conservation and reuse—has farmers like Jack Goble of the Lower Arkansas Valley Water Conservancy District crying foul, fearing dried-up farmland and economic ruin.

This was further highlighted at the first Colorado Springs Public Hearing held on January 14, 2025, when "Councilmember Henjum asked how many acre feet of water CSU acquires per year. Mr. English [from CSU] stated they acquired 3,000 acre-feet over the last two years." That means it will take almost 23 years to acquire the 34K acre-feet of water shortfall. Karman line will add an additional 1,672 acre-feet of water to the current shortfall. It will take over a year of CSU's effort to acquire the amount of extra water that Karman Line needs....if they ever can. From that same hearing, "Councilmember Donelson asked if it is becoming increasing difficult to acquire water rights. Lisa Barbato, Chief Systems Planning and Projects Officer, CSU, confirmed it is."

A 128% surplus rule for annexations offers some buffer, but locals and petitioners, who gathered 31,344 signatures for a June 17, 2025, referendum, argue the city’s growth is unsustainable.

The truth?

Karman Line’s thirst exposes a city stretched thin, gambling on future water it doesn’t yet have. 

Paid for by Citizens to Stop Illogical Growth.