Earlier this year, the Southern Ute Utilities Division began work on the Northridge Sewer Improvement Project, a sewer main rehabilitation effort designed to strengthen critical wastewater infrastructure and improve service reliability for Tribal Member homes and nearby residents. The project began south of Sunset Meadows Drive and reflects the Tribe’s ongoing commitment to improving quality of life through safe, dependable utility services. For many families, wastewater systems are largely out of sight, but they are essential to daily health, comfort, and safety. Aging wastewater infrastructure, including broken pipes, service taps, and manholes that have reached the end of their useful life, is being replaced or rehabilitated to reduce the risk of sewer overflows, groundwater infiltration, and costly emergency repairs. Through this work, the Southern Ute Utilities Division, under the direction and support of the Southern Ute Growth Fund, is helping protect public health and the environment while maintaining and improving the services residents rely on every day.

Canyon Construction began work in early January 2026, and the project is expected to continue for approximately ten to eleven months, weather permitting. Work is expected to continue into November 2026.

The construction team has completed work at Sunset Meadows, Pow Wow Circle, along CR 316, and along Northridge Drive, including areas east and west of Northridge Drive and the crossing under CR 314. Crews are currently replacing broken and aging pipe along Hwy. 172.

In mid-August, Southern Ute Tribal Council Interim Chairman Marvin Pinnecoose, Tribal Member At-Large Tasha Rodriguez, and Southern Ute Growth Fund Executive Director Shane Seibel toured the project areas to see the construction progress firsthand. The tour provided an opportunity to observe the scope of work underway and gain a closer look at the wastewater infrastructure improvements being made to support Tribal Member homes and improve quality of life in the Northridge area.

To date, construction crews have replaced 6,884 linear feet of deteriorated sewer main and 34 service taps that had developed cracks and leaks. These improvements support system reliability and help ensure the neighborhood’s wastewater system continues serving residents safely and effectively.

The Southern Ute Utilities team supporting this major sewer rehabilitation initiative includes Utilities Manager Julian Baker, Wastewater Program Manager Kevin Standifer and his operations team, Michael Wisner and Marvin Tom, and Project Manager Peter Hayes. The project is being led by the Southern Ute Utilities Division, working with Goff Engineering, Canyon Construction, and Pro Pipe on project design, engineering, construction, inspection, and quality assurance.

The Southern Ute Utilities Division extends its sincere appreciation to residents for their patience, cooperation, and support throughout the construction process (currently ongoing). Resident feedback has helped identify areas in need of improvement, and residents’ willingness to work with crews while construction was underway in their neighborhoods has played an important role in moving this critical infrastructure project forward.

For any questions, contact Peter Hayes, Southern Ute Utilities Division Project Manager, at 970-563-5502.