PROJ00001

• Contract/PO #: C153168
• Contractor Name: Delta, City of
• Contract Type: Loan
• Water District: 40
• County: Delta
• Bill Number: SB 77-35
• Loan Projects - Doc Type: Feasibility Study

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The average density per dwelling unit was reported in the 1970
census to be 2.93 persons per household in the Delta Census Division
and an average of 2.69 persons per household in Delta County. At the
present time, it is estimated that the City serves a total population
of approximately 6,000 persons through approximately 2,255 resi-
dential, commercial, and industrial water taps. Included in this
estimate are several rural water companies to which the City also
furnishes treated water.

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There are several persons, including the Delta County Planner,
who are absolutely convinced that significant growth is occurring in
Delta County now and will be accelerated greatly in the future by
expanded coal developments. At the present time, several large
companies and a few smaller ones are estimated to be mining about a
million tons of coal a year from the North Fork of the Gunnison area.

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Continued or increased mining activity is anticipated from
United States Steel, the Adolph Coors Company, the Atlantic Richfield
Company, Colorado Consolidated Coal Company, and Pittsburg-Midway, a
subsidiary of Gulf Oil Corporation. United States Steel is presently
the largest company with facilities located at Somerset. Approximate-
ly 350 miners are reported to be employed in the Somerset area. The
Adolph Coors Company has purchased a mine at Bowie and reportedly
will start operations in a few years. Approximately 350 miners are
estimated to be ultimately employed in the vicinity of Bowie.
Colorado Consolidated Coal Company is attempting to start production
at Paonia and Cedaredge. Atlantic Richfield has recently concluded
prospecting activities east of Paonia and intends to initiate
construction of facilities within a few years. By 1980, they estimate
to be producing approximately two million tons per year and employ
about 500 miners. Pittsburg-Midway is reported to be in the advanced
planning stages for operations at a mine immediately north of Paonia.

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Other coal mines which are capable of development are located
north of Hotchkiss and west of Cedaredge. The total coal reserve in
the area west of Cedaredge is estimated to be in excess of two
billion tons.

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While most of this coal development is expected to take
place in the east end of Delta County, miners and the accompanying
supporting population are expected to reside throughout the area
including the City of Delta. Estimates by the Delta County Planner
call for between one thousand to twenty-five thousand people, in
addition to the growth that is already occurring, will be attracted
to Delta County as a result of additional coal development. The
population in the Delta Census Division has been estimated by the
Delta County Planner to reach approximately 9,000 persons by 1978 and
approximately 16,000 persons by 1993. The population of the City of
Delta has been estimated by the County Planner to reach approximately
5,000 persons by 1978 and approximately 9,000 persons by 1993.

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N-4

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