The water-filled basin sitting behind the driving range at Wellshire Golf Course is set to disappear. A $5,731,906 contract approved on July 15, 2026, authorizes FNF Construction, Inc. to tear down the jurisdictional dam at 3333 S. Colorado Blvd and drain the historic reservoir.
This massive infrastructure shift targets a high-hazard dam built in the early 1900s that no longer serves any purpose for water supply or golf course irrigation. Instead of holding back water, the site will become a detention basin designed to manage runoff and improve water quality for the surrounding area.
The scope of work extends beyond demolition. The contract includes significant upgrades to the existing driving range at the southeast corner of the course, which has seen wear from years of use. FNF Construction has a timeline of 230 days from the notice to proceed to finish the job, though the exact start date remains to be finalized.
This project addresses long-standing concerns about the Skeel Reservoir's structural integrity and environmental impact. The dam, which has been a fixture of the Wellshire Golf Course landscape for over a century, was classified as high-hazard due to the risk it posed to downstream property if it failed. By converting it into a passive water quality facility, the city eliminates that risk while modernizing the golf course amenities.
The resolution, identified as file number 26-1009, passed as part of a committee consent agenda for Council District 4. Residents with questions about the construction schedule or the specific drainage improvements can review the full legislative details on the Denver city portal.