Denver Water draft plan sets 2027 pipe-replacement targets, flags debt and drought pressures
The draft plan calls for replacing 102,000 feet of water mains and 4,477 lead service lines while the utility weighs debt service, affordability and a possible relocation of seven operational buildings.
Denver Water’s draft 2027 Business Plan calls for continued capital spending as the utility manages higher debt service, drought risk and affordability concerns. Commissioners are scheduled to review the plan July 22, with another review planned during the November budget workshop.
The July 22 board agenda says Denver Water is coming off the largest capital buildout in its history and has less financial flexibility because of debt service. It identifies drought, affordability, operational complexity, and economic and regulatory pressures as factors shaping the draft. The July discussion is for commissioner questions and feedback as staff develops the proposed budget, not final adoption of the plan.
The draft’s 2027 targets include replacing 102,000 feet of water mains — about 0.7% of the system — and 4,477 lead service lines. It anticipates completing the lead-reduction program in 2031. The annual business-plan table lists the Main Replacement Program through 2031 and the Lead Reduction Program through 2030, while separately stating that lead-program completion is anticipated in 2031.
Denver Water also expects to begin relocating seven operational buildings in anticipation of a final agreement with the Denver Broncos for a new stadium. The agenda does not say that an agreement has been finalized or that the relocations have occurred; it lists the Operations Relocation Project as running from 2025 through 2031.