- 8-6 85
R, w . R.71)W. - - R. 69 V R.E•SW.
v .. ) ~ ~- A ~ '~ } ~ iii
/ ...,R .... T.IIN.
r---.:
~~ )
" ~ I ,~ ~ ~ ~ '- .,1 r \ (/_
..,.~ \~ ~ ,... ~ ~ , ~ ""' - ~ II
~ ~ ,.... LJ I ~
' I
~
~~~ \
2 I• ' ~ ... - ' ~ ' '(!;!l
' I \(' ~~ i b \ \
I~~-~
I1; ~
7.0 M
.•PARK
CRE~·K1997
1\
.#.t) ' ~: ---
jT.ION.
'"li. 1-:z ? l,.i.
~ ~ ~ b< •• 'lr ~0
, ••1'1 I
SCALE OF MILES - 2
~ \ "~
' ~~ ~~
I\ I , ff
~"
- ·J~ ""' ~ l~ • ~ ~!!~
--- - -- _ .... ... .,.
~} : !
~
. ...
, .. .,MnA~ ~::·~~;
· ' ~
l. . . " \ J' ~ ~~,· ) I
.,.;
, i ~ / 8 -4
; ( ~ ~ ~!:~~ N ~ ,f 1_
, OWLC~NVON /
"--'1
; 1 A>o.. ,.,..,.., iu ("~
:r ( fl!!l z,..,.~,;, ~ .,\a!'':~ ... :& ~ ( _u:;~[ -...,
~ ~ ll~
~1\Suppty./ \ Sp/t,,..: • ~~tl[_k "
. . . , ... v~- r .. ... ·" j ! ; ~;:~r;
~...,_. I.P.NtAJ ~\ k . . . . • 1\ ::!!!'1': ~~-
~ I"''. .. ., ~ T .9N.
"'
) t t.. ~ ~·,.~ w,;,. \ . 2 ~~ f ) )
y , fj ~ \ ~ IGTON ~ J
I~ ~~ iwELLII
~, t
~ ~ r '
viE]
~ ~-~ I [ t l
~ ..:.:: ~ ~ .9; ~
~A• l!!.!.
. a. ..dJ"' -
- . I-~
r ~j
~.. " ~
I- r ~ ·~ .,. t \ Cactul Ditch Co, Rill
I~ rtu::;
.ACt~ l ~ l/.) \ T . k
~ ...._...__, l {\,'d ~AkiD' l~
~~ r
p~rf" ~ ~ ~ _..., · ~
\ ~~ ! V ~
\ ~~
\ \ ' r': ~ ~
'\ ~j
~
~ ~ ~~
ell
4 fHors•to ,,., - ,...-
~ ~ 1\
-" R•wr•••ir
..J)
~
tli"
~s~~ ~.
.b.!.; !YiP.
t} "'
I•
\ "~\
= Pov•d Highwoy
= = = = lmprov•d Dirt or Grov•l Rood
h; ~ \ 1 \.,l
~ North Poudr• Irrigation Ccmpony Cona/s and Oitdt••·
G•n.rol Ar,o lrrlgatwd und•r NorHt
/ ~1
Poudr• Irrigat ion Sys,.,,
/
/ ; ~
~
~
I !I
THE NORTH POUDRE IRRIGATION COMPANY
1997
(
\~ h. "HltfkltiJ' ,.,
\.
~ A
l
T .7N.
\ "" \
I ~
- 1 , t6N.
"'
DIRECTORS
Manuel Pineda .. .. .. ... Windsor, Colorado Gary Simpson ... Ault, Colorado Duane Aranci ... Fort Collins, Colorado Dorothy Schild ... .. ... Fort Collins, Colorado Dennis Bode ... ... ... Fort Collins, Colorado
OFFICERS
Manuel Pineda . ... President Duane Aranci ... Vice President Dale Henry ... Operations Manager Sharon Seaworth ... ... Secretary
ORDER OF BUSINESS
According to the By-Laws, the order of business of the stockholders meeting shall be as follows:
1. Meeting called to order by the chairman at 10:00 a.m.
2. Appointment of three stockholders of the Company as a credentials committee.
3. Registration of proxies with credentials committee 4. Report of credentials committee
5. Annual report
6. Nomination of directors
7. Opening of polls for election of directors 8. Old business
9. New business
(A) Vote on assessment for the year
The 1997 summer and early fall weather certainly affected the operations of not only the North Poudre Irrigation Co., but also the lives of people, their homes, property, land, crops and livestock. Again, it was an entirely different season when we look back at the water supply, the cool, wet weather in June, the flood in Fort Collins, the excessive rains and floods in the high plains of eastern Colorado and the 3-day snowstorm in October.
The year started out as a very mild winter with a normal amount of snowpack reported. We had a fairly typical warm sunny spring with scattered timely rains, which did not greatly affect farming operations, but we had rain off and on for almost all the month of June, which greatly affected the quality of the alfalfa crop.
The Board appropriated two and one-half acre feet of early water and four and one-half acre feet of seasonal water. There was a light demand for water during the month of June. The high demand was during the month of July until the rains hit again at the end of the month.
A tropical rainstorm hit the western part of the city of Fort Collins and Laporte starting on the 27th of July and continuing through July 28th.
Over 11 inches of rain were recorded in a 30 hour period. The ensuing rains caused a flood of water that claimed five lives and completely flooded out a mobile home park. Over $24,000,000 of damage was reported by residents and businesses from the Spring Creek area to the foothills in the western part of the city. Over 400 homes and businesses were damaged or totally destroyed. Colorado State University reported estimated damages to buildings, equipment and books of over
$140,000,000. Recovery continues at this writing.
The North Poudre system incurred some damages to roads, fences and ditches in the Boxelder drainage area.
An early fall snowstorm hit state-wide in Colorado on October 24-26, effectively halting all harvesting operations. Highways were closed and most air traffic into Denver International Airport was canceled. Ten persons across the state died during the three day storm and over 30,000 head of livestock perished. Livestock losses of over $20,000,000 have been reported with another $7,000,000 in crop losses reported by one eastern Colorado county.
Despite all the unusual weather, harvesting continued later, with some minor losses to corn fields. Sugar content in beets was expected to drop due to all the moisture from the wet snow. Livestock prices are at $67.50 to $70.50 @ cwt for choice steers holding steady to lower from last year.
Corn is at $4.80 to $4.95 @ cwt, wheat at $3.20 @ bushel and pinto beans at $17 to $18 @ cwt, all lower from last year. Sugar beet growers are expecting a 1997 crop payment to total an average price of $44.50 @
ton area wide. Dairy producers reported an average price of $12 @ cwt for their raw milk production . Corn silage in the pit was quoted at $28 @
2
ton. Alfalfa prices per ton range from $75 to $140 for premium grade baled hay. No report on brewing barley production or prices at this time.
The prices listed here are an average reflection of livestock and commodity prices for the month of November, 1997, in northern Colorado.
Various issues were addressed by the NPIC Board during the year. In January, the NPIC Board interviewed several applicants for the vacant position of Manager for the Company. In February, Dale Henry was employed as the Operations Manager for the NPIC.
A personnel litigation issue with former employee Mike Wich was settled out of court in March.
A change of use for the Fossil Creek Preferred Rights by the Poudre Prairie Mutual Reservoir and Irrigation Company is in the water court.
North Poudre filed an objection so it can look closely at the request.
A general Information and Operational Policy for the irrigation water users has been furnished with a season-end summary of the water you used during the 1997 irrigation season. We hope this information helps you in your plans for next year. We will be prepared to answer any questions on this subject.
Growth, land use, water demands and residential and commercial building and construction continues to be the subject of much discussion and planning in Larimer County and the city of Fort Collins. The NPIC reports that 62 stock transfers were made in 1997, representing a total of 602 shares. Approximately 13% went to M&l use.
The NPIC Board has been discussing the issue of planning and developing a water delivery policy regarding the use of North Poudre shares and the CBT units by the stockholders.
The city of Fort Collins boasts a population of over 106,000 people and is reported to be the 25th fastest growing city in the United States. The town of Wellington claims over 1800 people, consuming an estimated 93,000,000 gallons of water supplied by North Poudre's Reservoir #3.
Several new service oriented businesses are under construction, or completed on the east end of town adjacent to 1-25.
NPIC has applied to the Colorado Water Conservation Board for funds in the amount of $1 ,245,000 to finance the construction and rehabilitation of the following projects: 1 ). Installation of 1500 feet of outlet pipe south of #6 Reservoir; 2). Rehabilitation of #4 Reservoir; 3). Expanding the spillway at #5 Reservoir; 4). Installation of 1000 feet of pipe on the Buckeye Lateral; 5). Rehabilitation of the spillway at Indian Creek Reservoir.
The NPIC Board and the Buckeye Lateral Directors are currently working on plans for the NPIC to take over the operations and maintenance of the lateral. The Buckeye Lateral would pay the NPIC
$81 ,000 to take over the ditch and would also convey to the NPIC all the necessary ditch easements, accesses, rights-of-way and all property
3
rights wherever appropriate.
Employee and ditchrider, Bob Rees, has completed his new water computer program, which makes tracking and getting information to the stockholders much easier and accurate. The Board is very satisfied with the success of his program.
On the 17th of September, the NPIC was the successful bidder of 3 parcels of BLM land that were adjoining NPIC reservoir properties or were inundated by water. The parcels totaling 436.95 acres were purchased for $89,550. The lands were under or adjacent to #5, #6 and
#15 Reservoirs.
One year after the release of water and sediment from Halligan Reservoir (Sept. '96}, the North Fork of the Poudre is slowly but surely recovering from the impact to the fish population. Positive reports received from the Colorado Division of Wildlife and Geologist Ellen Wohl from CSU state that the fish are making a comeback and the sediment removal from the pools and stream bed are anywhere from 50% to 85%
scoured out. Detailed reports are in the NPIC files. Halligan spilled off and on during the water season helping to move the sediment downstream.
NPIC and the city of Fort Collins continue to discuss the Halligan expansion project. A further report will be made at the Annual meeting.
The employees, the Operations Manager and Vice President, Duane Aranci, acting as advisor, have accomplished a tremendous amount of work and maintenance throughout the NPIC system. Duane Aranci has been familiarizing Dale Henry to all the NPIC properties, structures and reservoirs, and the main objective of the company - to deliver the irrigation water.
Again, we wish to advise the stockholders that use water for irrigation.
Due to the continuing transfer of NPIC water to municipal-industrial use, the possibility exists that there may not be as much water available to rent as there has been in the past. Arrange and plan for your water needs for the season. Rental water could get more expensive, if you can find it. The M&l users at this time own 4,993 shares.
It has been our pleasure working with our office manager this past year. Sharon Seaworth's familiarity with the community, the stockholders, the operations and administration of the NPIC are invaluable. We have been pleasantly surprised by her handling of the computers, the books, the record keeping, the programming and her knowledge of the day to day operations of the Company. Sharon, thank you for your optimistic attitude and your accomplishments this past year.
We had over thirty stockholders attend our Forum this year. We are improving in that category. Lots of questions and discussion were brought forth. We wish to thank all those who took the time to join us the evening of November 20.
Vice President Duane Aranci's position on the NPIC Board will be up for election.
4
Please join us for the 96th Annual Stockholders meeting of the NPIC on Monday, February 2nd, 1998 at the Holiday Inn on Highway 14 and 1- 25. Lunch will be served. Come early to register, visit and ask questions.
We hope to see you all there.
Respectfully submitted, Manuel Pineda, President Board of Directors
The North Poudre Irrigation Company
For those stockholders that I have not had the pleasure of meeting yet, please allow me to introduce myself and give a brief personal history. My name is Dale Henry. I am a Fort Collins native. My
background includes construction estimations, utility pipeline, and heavy equipment experience. I am a college graduate with a degree in
computer technologies.
I began the position of Operations Manager last February. Since then, I have become familiar with the procedures and problems with operating an irrigation company. My first impression was one of just water delivery. But, as first impressions go, it was naturally somewhat short. However, as I become more accustomed to the issues and aspects surrounding water, I will strive to be professional, fair, and equitable to all concerned parties involved with The North Poudre Irrigation Company.
One area that I would like to touch on briefly is the fact that this was the first year that North Poudre Irrigation had a complete computerized water delivery program for tracking usage, deliveries, and orders. I cannot compliment Mr. Bob Rees, who designed and programmed it, enough. It has meant less confusion, less paper work, more control, and fewer mistakes. Bob is in the process of updating and modifying the water program and hopefully, next year we will have another qualified operator to run the program.
1997 proved to be an exceptional year for northern Colorado and the water community. We saw a fairly normal spring and the start of a hot summer. But just as with most anything, it all changed at the end of July with enormous rain storms. The North Poudre Irrigation system
sustained little damage associated with the flooding. We had a near washout of the Livermore ditch upstream from Park Creek Reservoir and several minor problems caused by over flows.
The most damage caused by the flooding was to access roads.
Namely, the roads leading to the Boxelder flood retention dams. B-5 and B-6 were almost entirely inaccessible due to washed out roads.
North Poudre Irrigation's maintenance personnel rebuilt the access roads. The maintenance personnel will have some major cleanup on the B-2 flood dam retention area as the debris damaged the fence and requires some special attention.
So much for the past season, I would like to give the shareholders some insight on what they may expect in the future. North Poudre Irrigation has been operated in the past with a reactionary philosophy. In other words, wait until it breaks, then fix it. This can be very costly and time consuming. Preventative and anticipatory procedures are going to be pursued in all maintenance, operations, and water delivery areas.
Major structures to begin with will be inspected, assessed, and listed according to their condition and requirements. Eventually, all structures,
6
no matter how small, will be done. This will enable us to project repair or replacements.
Shareholders can look for an integrated weed control program to be implemented. I plan on utilizing every resource available to combat and hopefully gain some control over the noxious and pest weeds on our system. Mechanical and chemical treatments will be used, and not just on an infrequent basis . Special attention will be given to the Sago Pond weed and moss that is inundating the system and causing problems .
A safety program will be implemented for the employees. This is not only for the safety of the personnel, but by having a documented program in place we may be able to lower our insurance costs. Which means saving the shareholders some operating costs.
Please feel free to contact me and discuss whatever issue you feel may be important. I am not a title holder and wish to be available to all shareholders if and when the situation arises.
Dale Henry,
Operations Manager
7
Year Assmt. A c. Ft/Share delivered
1985 100.00
1986 75.00
1987 75.00
1988 70.00
1989 75.00
1990 75.00
1991 75.00
1992 75.00
1993 75.00
1994 75.00
1995 75.00
1996 75.00
1997 85.00
$ 8.00 for Water Assessement 27.00 for ewes loan retirement
2.00 for Weed control
4.31 5.65 4.03 4.80 4.25 4.48 4.12 4.11 4.97 5.16 3.90 5.20 3.40
2.00 for Right of way acquisition 46.00 for Operation and maintenance
$ 85.00
Cost per Ac.Ft.
23.20 13.27 18.61 14.58 17.65 16.74 18.20 18.20 15.09 14.53 19.23 14.42 25.00
$ 51.00 per share due and payable April 1, 1998, interest at 1-1/2%
per month charged after May 1, 1998.
$ 34.00 per share due and payable October 1, 1998, interest at 1- 1/2% per month charged after November 1, 1998.
No water will be delivered on delinquent accounts.
Total assessments of $85.00 per share are due April 1, 1998 on two
shares or less.
Source
Storage - November 1, 1996 CST - November 1, 1996 North Fork
Munroe Canal South Side CST Quota
Distribution
Storage - November 1, 1997
Ag Stockholders (Seasonal & Early- 7310 shares) CST Direct (2690 shares)
Rental #6
CST Account- NP carryover November 1, 1997
Evaporation & distribution loss - 14.4%
34,227 available for ag delivery
Fossil Creek Reservoir
Preferred Rights Exchanged for CST North Poudre deliveries Rental
CST Quota 60%-24,000 Acre Feet
Acre Feet
40,845 6,900 25,496 30,010 3,414 12,600 119,265
53,924 34,227 12,010 2,000 12,100 114,261 5,004 119,265
3,420 3,000 -0- 2,000
8,420
Dividends Acre Feet Per Share
April 9, 1997 May 7, 1997 August 6, 1997
9
Seasonal Early 4.0
.5
1.0 1.5
4.5 2.5
HILL & HILL, P.C.
Attorneys at Law A Professional Corporation Fort Collins, Colorado 85022
December 2, 1997
Manuel Pineda, the President, in his annual report, has summarized many of the challenges faced by the North Poudre Board, the management, and the stockholders in 1997.
The issues facing North Poudre often require administrative management and legal assistance. As attorney for North Poudre, my task has been to help the Company deal with the laws, rules, and regulations that continue to grow and change like our population. Unfortunately, the legal system is increasingly expensive.
The substantial transfers in stock ownership over the last 30 years are a part of major changes in our area. As President Pineda has suggested, North Poudre water will not continue to be available for rental as the municipal and industrial needs increase. Thus, the Board and the stockholders will have to work on solutions to make water available to those farms and acreages which use irrigation water. The operation and maintenance of the North Poudre ditch system will be affected when water is transferred away to meet municipal and industrial use. North Poudre's allocation of 40,000 units in the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District gives it flexibility, but this flexibility will soon be lost to a great extent. Many of these units will no longer be available for irrigation exchanges because of the increased need for domestic supplies. Also, irrigation costs will probably increase. It seems inevitable the Northern Colorado Water conservancy District will be charging more for its units by either an additional assessment, or seeking a change in fixed rate agreements which delivers the units at a $1.50 a unit, or both.
The total charge has been a $60,000.00 a year charge for North Poudre's 40,000 units. Any additional assessment or change may increase assessments for the stockholders in North Poudre.
With more and more emphasis on the need for domestic water, we wonder how long the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District Board will continue to be appointed by Judges as opposed to being elected. If there is a change to an elected Board, then what impact will that have on the users in the District? Will agriculture be assisted or protected in any way?
In the fall of 1967 and in 1968, as attorney for North Poudre, I began to learn firsthand about the operations of North Poudre as I walked with Board members on portions of the Roberts' ranch as part of North Poudre's efforts to acquire the land to build Park Creek Reservoir. I have had the opportunity for 30 years to work with a wide variety of dedicated
10
conscientious people. Certainly, I have benefited from the knowledge they brought to North Poudre and shared with me. These opportunities have made representing North Poudre both interesting and challenging.
We're accelerating into a new era. We hope most changes made at North Poudre result in tradeoffs that create solutions which are equally satisfactory for the competing interests of the North Poudre stockholders.
Internal strife can be avoided with creative and cooperative efforts.
Among such efforts, we hope that an expanded Halligan Reservoir will someday benefit the stockholders and the area. Also, of course, we all hope that some agriculture will survive n Larimer County.
My views are based on working and living in Fort Collins for over 60 years, and my thoughts do not necessarily reflect those of the North Poudre Board's. Everyone will have to adjust to what actually develops.
Respectfully submitted, HILL and HILL, P.C.
Alden T. Hill Alden V. Hill Attorneys at Law
160 West Mountain Avenue P.O. Box 421
Fort Collins, Colorado 80522 Telephone: (970) 482 -3683 Facsimile: (970) 482-7648
11
Board of Directors
North Poudre Irrigation Company Wellington, Colorado
November 19, 1997
I have audited the accompanying balance sheets of the North Poudre Irrigation Company (a nonprofit organization) as of October 31, 1997 and 1996, and the related statements of income and retained earnings, and
cash flows for the years then ended. These financial statements are the
J•responsibility of the Company's management. My responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on the audits.
I conducted the audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. Those standards require that I plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. I believe that the audits provide a reasonable basis for my opinion.
In my opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the North Poudre Irrigation Company at October 31, 1997 and 1996, and the results of its operations and its cash. flows for the years then ended in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
Respectfully submitted,
James A. Brock
Certified Public Accountant
12
North Poudre Irrigation Company Wellington, Colorado
Balance Sheets October 31, 1997 and 1996
ASSETS
1997 1996
Current Assets
Cash and Cash Equivalents (Note 1) 19,094 69,204
11