In 2019, Empire faced a crisis that threatened the town’s very existence. The aging water distribution system reached a breaking point. Mayor Wendy Koch and Town Administrator Jeannette Piel declared a state of emergency.

Six years later, over $4 million in state and federal funding has flowed into comprehensive water system improvements that are fundamentally changing how the town delivers this most essential service.

When Wendy Koch’s term as Empire mayor ends in April 2026, it will close a chapter not just in her political career, but in the life of a woman who has called this mountain town home for 55 years.

That’s more than half a century of watching Empire evolve from a sleepy former mining camp into a small but resilient community navigating 21st-century challenges while preserving its historic character.

“I moved here in 1970,” Koch recalled during a recent interview at Town Hall. “Back then, you could count the year-round residents on two hands. We’ve grown, but not much—and I mean that as a compliment.”

A Career of Service

Before entering local politics, Koch spent over three decades working for the Colorado Department of Transportation. That background proved invaluable when infrastructure issues—particularly the town’s water crisis—demanded attention.

In 2019, Empire faced a critical situation when aging water infrastructure threatened the town’s supply. Koch, working alongside Town Administrator Jeannette Piel, responded decisively. Together, they navigated the complex process of securing over $4 million in state and federal funding for water system improvements.

“That was probably the most stressful period of my time as mayor,” Koch admitted. “Water isn’t negotiable. You can work around a lot of things in a small town, but you can’t work around not having clean, reliable water.”

The emergency declaration and subsequent infrastructure overhaul demonstrated the kind of crisis management small-town leaders sometimes face with limited resources and even more limited budgets.

Raising a Family in the Mountains

Koch raised her children in Empire, giving her a perspective few current officials can match. She’s seen kids grow up, leave for opportunities elsewhere, and sometimes return to raise their own families in the shadow of Berthoud Pass.

“Raising kids here meant they learned self-reliance early,” she said. “When you live at 8,615 feet, two miles from the nearest grocery store, you figure things out. My kids learned to entertain themselves, to appreciate nature, to be comfortable with solitude.”

Looking Ahead

As her final term winds down, Koch isn’t dwelling on legacy or accomplishments. Instead, she’s focused on ensuring a smooth transition and leaving infrastructure improvements on solid footing.

“Whoever comes next will face challenges I can’t predict,” she said. “But they’ll also have a community that looks out for each other. That’s Empire’s real strength—not our budget or our buildings, but our people.”

The sound of heavy equipment has become the new normal soundtrack in Empire this spring, as a $10 million US Highway 40 resurfacing project transforms the town’s main corridor through the end of the year.

The Colorado Department of Transportation project, contracted to APC Construction Company, kicked off in May and will run through December 2025. For Empire’s 345 residents, it means temporary inconveniences now in exchange for long-term improvements that town leaders say are desperately needed.

“This stretch of 40 has taken a beating,” said Town Administrator Jeannette Piel during last week’s town board meeting. “Between the freeze-thaw cycles at our elevation and the constant truck traffic heading over Berthoud Pass, the road deteriorates faster than you’d see at lower elevations.”

More Than Just Pavement

While resurfacing the roadway is the headline, the project includes improvements that will enhance safety and accessibility throughout town. CDOT plans to replace two aging traffic signals, upgrade crosswalks to meet current accessibility standards, and improve curb ramps at key intersections.

The project also addresses drainage issues that have plagued certain sections of town during spring runoff. Anyone who’s navigated the flooding near the Phillips 66 during heavy snowmelt knows exactly which problems they’re fixing.

New bulb-outs—those pedestrian-friendly extensions at crosswalks—will make crossing US 40 safer, particularly important in a town where the highway doubles as Main Street.

Construction Timeline and Impacts

APC Construction is working in phases to minimize disruptions, though some delays are inevitable. The company has been coordinating with local businesses to ensure access remains open, particularly for the Peck House, Hard Rock Cafe, and other establishments that depend on highway visibility.

“We’ve been in close contact with CDOT and the contractor,” Piel noted. “They understand that for our businesses, being accessible isn’t optional—it’s survival.”

The project is scheduled for completion by December, weather permitting. Anyone familiar with Empire’s winters knows that’s a meaningful qualifier. At 8,615 feet, early snow isn’t uncommon, and work crews will be racing the calendar.

Long-Term Benefits

Once complete, the improvements should serve the town for years to come. Better drainage means less freeze-thaw damage. Upgraded signals and crosswalks improve safety for pedestrians navigating a highway that sees everything from local traffic to semi-trucks hauling freight over the pass.

For a town of Empire’s size, a $10 million infrastructure investment represents a significant upgrade. The project touches nearly every aspect of the town’s connection to the outside world—which, in Empire’s case, literally runs right down the middle of Main Street.

Residents can check project updates on CDOT’s website or contact Town Hall at (303) 569-2403 for specific concerns about access or timing.