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Utility Rate Increase Overview
Broomfield’s Water, Sewer, Water Reclamation and Stormwater Funds (collectively termed the Utility Funds) operate as “Enterprise” funds where rates and fees within each fund are set to cover the costs of providing respective services to customers. By law, enterprise funds cannot be supported by tax revenues but rather by service charges and fees. They must operate as a “stand-alone business” and generate the revenues necessary to provide services.
Supporting Infrastructure with Updated 2025 Utility Rates
On Oct. 28, 2025, the Broomfield City Council approved the City and County of Broomfield’s (CCOB) Utility Fund recommended rate increase. This increase will help ensure the sustainability of aging infrastructure and the ability of CCOB to continue providing a safe and reliable water supply to its residents. The rate increases will begin in January 2026 and the city will have an assistance program in place to help eligible residents.
Why the increase?
- Infrastructure Maintenance: the city continues to see greater expenses for maintaining and improving our aging infrastructure system. Proactive maintenance is critical to ensure reliability and minimize emergency repairs.
- Addressing Regulatory Changes: Costs have increased to comply with increasingly stringent Federal and State Regulatory changes.
- Below-Market Rates: For the past 20 years, our community has benefited from utility rates that have remained well below market levels. While we have worked hard to keep costs low, the rising expenses of maintaining and improving essential services mean we can no longer sustain these below-market rates.
How much is the increase for 2026?
- At the Broomfield City Council Meeting on Oct 15, 2025 for the First Reading of the proposed Enterprise rates, staff reiterated guidance for a 15% rate increase. Council officially approved the proposed increase of 15% during the Second Reading of the rates on Oct 28, 2025.
- Broomfield understands the increased costs can be challenging and has implemented the Utility Rate Assistance Fund program to help those who are eligible. Visit the website to apply for this program or call 983-888-4570 to find out more about how to apply.
Rate Increase Overview
As detailed in the budget adopted by the Broomfield City Council in 2025, the five-year plan includes a 15% increase for utility rates across all funds, with a 9% increase for stormwater service fees, and aligns with projections presented in the original five-year plan presented in 2024 (also see Oct. 22, 2024, memorandum).
This increase is essential to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of Broomfield’s enterprise funds while maintaining essential services and infrastructure. The recommended rate structure ensures sufficient funding for both ongoing maintenance of existing water infrastructure and necessary capital improvements, including two large bonded projects of water tanks and the wastewater facility expansion project. For more on amending the water, sewer and stormwater fees, view the Oct. 14 city council meeting and memos. For full details on the approved 2026 budget for the City and County of Broomfield, view the Budget Reports web page.
Utility Bill Estimator
The Utility Bill Estimator tool is available to help residents calculate how the approved increase would apply to their home utility bill based on their specific household water usage. Connect to the Utility Bill Estimator tool web page to enter your specific information.
Impact on Average Monthly Bill for a Single Family Home (6000 gal)
| Fee Type | 2025 Rate | 2026 Rate | 2025 Average Bill* | 2026 Average Bill* | Difference ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water Meter Base Charge (Fixed) | $36.91 | $42.45 | $36.91 | $42.45 | $5.54 |
| Water Usage Charge Tier 1 | $2.39 | $2.75 | $11.95 | $13.75 | $1.80 |
| Water Usage Charge Tier 2 | $3.82 | $4.39 | $15.28 | $17.56 | $2.28 |
| Water Usage Charge Tier 3 | $5.41 | $6.22 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Sewer Service Charge | $5.44 | $6.26 | $32.64 | $37.56 | $4.92 |
| Sewer Fed Mandate Charge | $0.52 | $0.52 | $3.12 | $3.12 | $0.00 |
| Sewer Env Comp Base Charge | $9.00 | $10.35 | $9.00 | $10.35 | $1.35 |
| Stormwater Base Charge | $11.00 | $12.00 | $11.00 | $12.00 | $1.00 |
| Total Bill | $119.90 | $136.79 | $16.89 | ||
* based on 9,000 gallons/month for water, which is based on a 4-year historical average of 107,000. Sewer based on average winter consumption of 6,000 gallons.
Impact on Average Monthly Bill for a Multi-Family Home (1000 gal)
| Fee Type | 2025 Rate | 2026 Rate | 2025 Average Bill* | 2026 Average Bill** | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water Fixed Base Fee | $36.91 | $42.45 | $36.91 | $42.45 | $5.54 |
| Water Usage Fee / 1,000 gal | $2.55 | $2.93 | $7.65 | $8.79 | $1.14 |
| Sewer Cost / 1,000 gal | $5.44 | $6.26 | $21.76 | $25.04 | $3.28 |
| Fed Mandate Charge | $0.52 | $0.52 | $2.08 | $2.08 | $0.00 |
| Env Compliance Fee | $9.00 | $10.35 | $9.00 | $10.35 | $1.35 |
| Stormwater Fee | $6.60 | $7.20 | $6.60 | $7.20 | $0.60 |
| Total Bill | $84.00 | $95.91 | $11.91 | ||
* based on 3,250 gallons/month for water, which is based on a 2-year historical average. Sewer based on average winter consumption of 4,000 gallons. Apartment bills may differ as they are run through their landlord or leasing offices.
Utility Rate Assistance Fund
CCOB understands an increase in rates can be a challenge for some households and offers the Utility Fund Assistance Program to help those who are eligible. In 2026, this program will set aside a portion of the base rate for utilities to assist households meeting an income eligibility threshold of 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI). The maximum amount of annual assistance will remain at $240 for income-qualified households in 2026. Visit the Utility Rate Assistance Fund web page for more information on the program.