Golden Utilities Rate Change
Consultation has concluded
Over the past several months, Golden has conducted a comprehensive rate study to look at how customers are charged for water, sewer and stormwater drainage services. As part of the rate study process, we invited a committee of local residents to help us evaluate our current system and provide feedback on proposed changes. The committee included members of the Planning Commission, the Citizens Budget Advisory Council, the Citizens Sustainability Advisory Board and community members at large. Together with the Utility Rate Citizen Committee, we have reviewed the existing utility rate structures, identified opportunities to modernize and improve how we charge for water, wastewater and stormwater services and evaluated recommendations to ensure they are fair, equitable and tied to the demands that different types of customers place on the system.
For more information about the committee’s work visit www.cityofgolden.net/URCC. We have posted the agendas, presentations, discussion summaries for all URCC meetings, and the committee’s final report so interested citizens can learn more.
A separate part of the rate study included the completion of a comprehensive financial analysis to evaluate how much revenue each utility needs and when it will be needed. The financial analysis created a financial plan for the next five years to determine how much money is needed to maintain, upgrade and/or expand the system. Rates are designed to ensure the utility has the money to meet these needs. Based on these financial analysis, staff is recommending a 6.2% increase in water rates, A 12% increase in drainage rates, and no change to sewer rates.
If you have any questions about the rate study or proposed rate changes, let us know here! We'll do our best to get an answer to you as quickly as possible.