Conservancy District
History & Historical Documents

1921 Pueblo Flood

"After five days of almost continuous rain, the weather cleared over Pueblo today and tonight the stars are shining from the unclouded sky. But on what scene are they looking. Mud everywhere–mud and filth." — Pueblo Chieftain, June 9, 1921

The Pueblo Flood of 1921 was the worst flood in Pueblo's history and one of the worst in Colorado history. Hundreds of people lost their lives along with tens of millions of dollars of property damage. The precise number of deaths has never been determined.

The heavy rains began west of Pueblo on June 2nd. The Arkansas River swelled to over thirteen feet. The next day there was a downpour north of Pueblo along the Fountain Creek. The flood creed on Friday, June 3 at 24 feet and flooded downtown. More flooding happened on June 4, when the Shaffer Dam broke. In 1921, the Arkansas River flowed through Pueblo's downtown at the current location of the Pueblo Riverwalk.

Flood scene engine of D and R.G. Passenger train No. 3 Pueblo - June 6 1927 - Photo by F.M. Steele. A man standing next to an overturned train with a pile of train car and building debris behind them.

Flood scene of people standing next to a demolished bridge with overturned train cars .

Survivors mull about in front of in front of piles of train and building debries that is strewen accross the river, which slow water flow and creates what look like large puddles.

Historical Documents

Video

Photos

Original 1923 Documents

Court Order 12-11-23 Approving Appraisal Record – pdf
Official Plan of the Pueblo Conservancy District 1923 – pdf
February 27, 1923 Colorado Supreme Court Decision People ex rel. Setters v. Lee (affirming the constitutionality of the statute and Pueblo Conservancy District and declaring that the Maintenance Assessment Fund was not a tax) – pdf

Pueblo Conservancy District Statute (as of 2013) – pdf

Pueblo Conservancy District Status (as of June 2014) – pdf

The Bill HB 14-1184 (2014 legislative change) – pdf

Star Journal 8-19-1923 – pdf

Ten Commandments of the Levee – pdf

Greatest Engineering Feat of the West Complete – Pueblo Chieftain January 2, 1927 – pdf

Amendment of Official Plan 2007

Motion For Approval of Amended Official Plan 5.3.07 – pdf
Order Approving Amended Plan 5.29.07 – pdf
Amended Official Plan 2007 – pdf

Expansion of the Boundary to Include All of Pueblo County 2013

Phase I Report 6-25-12 – pdf
Phase II Report 09-25-12 – pdf
Court Order of 10.25.12 Setting Hearing on the Report of the Board of Appraisers – pdf
Notice 10.26.12 _20121026101810 – pdf
Proof of Publication (Notice of Enlargement) – pdf
Order Expanding Boundary 1.26.13 – pdf
Recorded Order on Expansion of Boundary to Include all of Pueblo County 2013 – pdf

Conservancy DistrictHistory & Historical Documents