C153362 Feasibility Study

• Contract/PO #: C153362
• Contractor Name: Trinidad, City of
• Contract Type: Loan
• Water District: 19
• County: Las Animas
• Bill Number: SB 81-439
• Loan Projects - Doc Type: Feasibility Study

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.. Chapter 2
.. ORGANIZATION AND AUTHORITY

GENERAL

The Trinidad Water Supply Improvement Project will be
sponsored by the City of Trinidad. Specifically, the
City's Public Works Department will operate and maintain
the proposed water supply improvement facilities as part
of the overall water utility system.

ORGANIZATION

Trinidad is an historic city of Colorado, located on the
old Sante Fe Trail. The City was established in 1859 and
incorporated in 1879. The City serves as the County Seat
of Las Animas County. The popUlation of the City of
Trinidad in 1970 was 9,901, which showed a slight drop
from the 1960 census report of 10,961. Trinidad operates
as a City of Second Class.

Trinidad is one of four cities in Colorado operating under
a 1954 statute with a Council-Manager form of government.
It is, therefore, known as a "statutory city," rather than
a "home-rule" city. The City is governed by a mayor and
seven-member city council, which employ a city manager.

POWER AND AUTHORITIES

The City of Trinidad has all the corporate powers granted
to cities of its classification. Many of the powers granted
to municipalities are outlined in Title 31, Article 15, of
the Colorado statutes, inclUding the power to establish
and operate a municipal water system.

The City does have the right of eminent domain, taxing and
assessing authority, authority to enter into contractual
arrangements, and authority to vest title to a project or
a portion thereof in the Colorado Water Conservation
Board. All of these rights and authorities are spelled
out in state statutes.

FINANCIAL STATUS

The financial status of the City of Trinidad regarding its
general and custodial funds for December 31, 1978, and
1979, the latest figure available, is in included in an
appendix accompanying this Feasibility Report. The appendix
is entitled Report of Examination, City of Trinidad, Colorado,
December 31, 1979, which was completed by the accounting
firm of Dixon, Waller and Company, 164 E. Main, Trinidad,
Colorado, and dated June 18, 1980. Additional discussion
of the City's financial status as it relates directly to
the Water Utility Fund is contained in Chapter 6. Infor-
mation on the Water Utility System assets and their use
and condition is described elsewhere in this report.

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