(COLORADO SPRINGS) — Colorado Springs Utilities (Springs Utilities) revealed plans to restore the beaver habitat on America's Mountain to help with fire mitigation in the area. As a water provider that sources much of its supply from high mountain snowpack, Springs Utilities said it has a compelling reason to help preserve the quality of that water. One of the largest threats is wildfire, which not only results in catastrophic losses to life and landscapes but can have long-term impacts on water quality. Springs Utilities said it partners with the Colorado Forest Service on fire mitigation projects to help reduce the risk of wildfire in watersheds, but there was another group that was performing another type of fire mitigation--beavers. According to Springs Utilities, during the natural course of their day, beavers build dams that allow some water through but mostly slowed stream flows enough to allow water to spread and soak into the ground. The landscapes become areas that welcome "wetter" trees, such as aspen and willows, and open meadows that acted as fire breaks. Thanks to a grant from the Colorado Water Conservation Board, as part of their Wildfire Read Watersheds/Colorado Watershed Restoration Program, Springs Utilities has a chance to entice beavers back to Pikes Peak. The project will be on Springs Utilities land near North Catamount Reservoir, with the planning process starting in late 2024 to early 2025. A planned installation of simulated Beaver Structures and Post Assisted Log Structures will be used to mimic the natural system created by beavers and will be installed in September 2025. In 2026, Springs Utilities will work on adaptive management of structures, adding, removing, and modifying structures as needed and conducting post-project analysis. Springs Utilities hopes to see beaver activity in the area within a few years of implementation. Regardless, Springs Utilities said the project will help protect nearby infrastructure, increase the resiliency of North Catamount Creek, improve water quality, and enhance ecosystem health.