Broomfield proposes 7% utility-rate increases for 2027
The proposal would add about $9.31 a month to a typical single-family household’s bill. A public hearing and second reading are scheduled for Oct. 27.
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Broomfield City Council unanimously approved the first reading of an ordinance proposing 7% increases to water, wastewater, reclaimed-water and stormwater rates in 2027. Staff estimated the changes would add about $9.31 a month to a typical single-family household’s bill, bringing it to roughly $146. The council’s Oct. 13 meeting set a public hearing and second reading for Oct. 27.
The rates are not final. If adopted, they would take effect Jan. 1, 2027, and the first higher bills are expected in February because the city bills in arrears. Staff said the increases would help fund utility-system projects and address rising water-supply and treatment costs.
The household estimate assumes monthly use of 9,000 gallons of water and 6,000 gallons of sewer service. Staff put the current bill at about $136 and said the proposed rates would increase it about 6.8%. A federally mandated sewer charge would not increase.
The proposal also includes a 4% increase in water, sewer and reclaimed-water development fees. These are one-time charges paid by developers, not existing utility customers.
For nonresidential water accounts, the proposal would replace the current rate structure with monthly usage tiers. Rates would be $3.96 per 1,000 gallons for the first 39,999 gallons, $4.30 for gallons from 40,000 to 149,999, $5.40 for gallons from 150,000 to 1,499,999, and $9.80 for gallons above 1.5 million. Each rate would apply only to water used within its tier. The city staff report and proposed ordinance say the structure is designed to limit the effect on routine indoor business use while charging more for high summer-peak use.