The city will review the water budget system, implemented in 2007, and invites community members to share their input in the first stage of the review

The City of Boulder uses water budgets, or the amount of water that a water customer is expected to use during a specific month, as a water rate structure. Water rates are the amount of money a customer is charged in their monthly utility bill for water services from the city. Each water customer's water budget is based on specific customer characteristics and is designed to encourage water savings by charging more when customers use more than their budget.

The city is reviewing this system to see if it still meets today’s needs, community values and challenges. The city is asking for community input through fall of 2025 and early 2026 to inform the water budget evaluation, which will be followed by an overall water rate study. Rate studies aim to ensure that utility rates are sufficient to cover operational expenses, capital improvements and support the long-term reliability of the system, while also being equitable and transparent for all customers. Changes, if any, to water budgets are expected to be implemented in 2027.

To kick-off this review, the city invites community members to share their thoughts through a short feedback form about customer experiences and what changes may help. The city will use this input to help decide what changes, if any, to make to our water budget system in future years.

Visit BeHeardBoulder.org to answer a few short questions through October and visit the city’s website to learn more.

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