The City of Thornton will not appeal Colorado's Court of Appeals' decision denying their permit to construct a water pipeline in Larimer County, the city said on Oct. 6.

"After thorough consideration of its options, the City of Thornton has decided against filing a petition with the Colorado Supreme Court in its lawsuit against Larimer County," the city announced in a statement. 

The statement said the decision is about time. The time waiting for a potential Supreme Court decision is better spent working with Larimer County and its community. 

As well, the statement notes that Larimer County must treat Thornton differently due to the court's ruling.

"Thornton believes the time it would take for a potential Supreme Court action to take place is better spent engaging with Larimer County and its community on solutions amendable to the people of both jurisdictions, and trusts that will occur in a process where Larimer County does not exceed its jurisdiction and treats all parties, including Thornton, fairly, as the Colorado Court of Appeals indicated the County must," the statement reads. 

An agreed upon solution between Thornton and Larimer County is their preferred outcome. 

The entire Thornton Water Project is 74 miles long and potentially will deliver water from a reservoir near Fort Collins, nearly doubling the city's current water supply. Twelve miles of the pipeline will run through Larimer County, 34 miles through Weld County, and five miles through Adams County. The rest of the pipeline will go into municipalities throughout those three counties. 

The last hurdle is Larimer County.

"Thornton looks forward to engaging with its northern neighbors on next steps and finding solutions to the benefit of the Coloradans living in both communities," the statement reads.