Thornton will be able to build a critical segment of a 70-mile pipe to bring water from the Cache la Poudre River to the fast-growing suburb north of Denver, after elected leaders in Larimer County unanimously — if begrudgingly — approved a permit for the northern segment of the pipe on Wednesday night.

The Larimer County commissioners' decision was unanimous, but all three lamented a lack of authority to require Poudre River conveyance of the water.

After seeking a number of conditions and concessions, all three Larimer County commissioners agreed with county staff backing Thornton’s required 1041 permit for the first pipeline section through the exurban parts of the county.