Littleton proposal would raise stormwater charge $75 a year and phase in sewer increases

Littleton has not adopted a revised sewer and stormwater rate plan. City Council is scheduled to discuss utility rates at an Aug. 11 study session, which is not a formal vote, the council agenda says.

Under the proposal, sewer revenue would increase 15% in 2027 and 2028, 11% in 2029 and 2030, and 10% annually from 2031 through 2034, with no increase shown for 2035. The revised schedule replaces an earlier plan with 25% increases in 2027 and 2028. Stormwater revenue would increase 60% in both 2027 and 2028, then 5.2% annually from 2029 through 2035, according to the city’s revised rate-study presentation.

For a typical developed single-family property, the proposed 2027 stormwater charge is $199.26 a year, up $74.72 from $124.54 — about $6.23 a month when annualized. Charges would vary by property type, impervious area and development status. Developed multifamily and nonresidential properties would also be charged $1,659.70 per paved acre and $414.93 per landscaped acre; undeveloped parcels would have separate rates.

The proposal would replace the largely fixed residential sewer charge with a fixed fee and a volume charge. For customers inside Littleton, the proposed 2027 rate is $15.25 per residential or commercial bill plus $4.10 per 1,000 gallons. Multifamily customers would pay $11.44 per dwelling unit per bill plus the same volume charge. Residential and multifamily usage would be based on average January-through-March water consumption; commercial customers would be billed on actual water use. District-served and outside-city customers would have different rates.

City examples put proposed inside-city single-family sewer bills at $23 a month for 2,000 gallons of average winter use and $40 for 6,000 gallons. Multifamily examples range from $20 to $36 per unit. Staff estimates the average single-family increase at about $1.66 a month under the flexible structure, compared with about $3 under a fully fixed rate. Commercial increases are estimated at $4 to $8 a month, depending on use and billing structure. The materials do not show how many customers would pay more or less.

The sewer plan includes a $256.2 million, 10-year capital program, including about $180 million for the jointly owned South Platte Renew treatment facility, up to $65 million in sewer debt and repairs or replacement of 24 miles of sanitary sewer. The stormwater capital plan remains about $72.4 million, including 15 miles of storm-drain replacement and an $8 million Rangeview Gulch project. Proposed stormwater financing includes $10.8 million in revenue bonds, $12 million in state loans and $49.6 million from other revenue, including rates and tap fees.

Littleton currently bills sewer and stormwater charges annually. Monthly, bimonthly, quarterly, semiannual and annual billing are under consideration, but no change has been approved. If the plan is adopted, the proposed rates would take effect in January 2027, subject to the budget process. The city also has not established an income-qualified discount program; staff is studying eligibility, administration, funding and how it would affect multifamily and master-metered properties.

Public feedback is scheduled at an open house from 4 to 6 p.m. Aug. 26 at Littleton Center, 2255 W. Berry Ave., and a virtual webinar from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Sept. 3. The city’s project timeline lists a Sept. 12 budget workshop and Nov. 3 budget adoption, but the dates and proposed rates remain subject to change.