Lakewood Council approves sewer-rate increases and moves to acquire property for storm and sewer work

The Lakewood City Council on Feb. 9 adopted a resolution (R2026-12) raising sanitary sewer rates and service charges for the Lakewood Sewer Utility and approved an ordinance (O2026-7) authorizing the city to begin acquiring property interests for storm and sanitary sewer construction along Yukon, Yarrow, Allison and Colfax avenues.

Director of Public Works Ria De Andrea presented maps and technical context: Lakewood contains 23 separate sewer providers, several of which route wastewater through the Lakewood Sewer Utility to the Metro Water Recovery District for treatment. De Andrea said Denver Metro treatment costs make up about 70% of the sewer fund’s annual costs and that the utility is fully enterprise-funded (no general-fund subsidy).

Rate changes: The council considered scheduled increases that amount to roughly a 4.5% overall increase in the sewer service charge and a volume charge rise of about $0.27 per 1,000 gallons. Wholesale/tap service charges for two wholesale customers (Bond View and West Alameda Heights) would increase from $79.47 to $83.44 per connection. De Andrea said the increases, if adopted, would take effect April 1 and the first bills under the new rates would be mailed in May; staff said they can add an insert to bills and post information on Lakewood’s website to notify customers.

Councilors asked about notification methods and whether wholesale districts would handle outreach to their customers; staff said the city can add inserts for its customers but that other sanitation districts would need to communicate directly with their ratepayers. After discussion, the council adopted R2026-12 unanimously (11–0).

Property acquisition for infrastructure: On second reading, the council declared its intent to acquire property interests necessary to construct storm and sanitary sewer facilities for a multi-street corridor project on Colfax and nearby streets (O2026-7). Councilors representing Ward 2 praised the project for floodplain mitigation and corridor investment. No public testimony was submitted for that item; the ordinance passed on second and final reading 11–0.

What’s next: If rate changes go into effect April 1, affected Lakewood Sewer Utility customers will see the new bi-monthly charges beginning on bills mailed in May. The property-acquisition authorization allows staff to negotiate conveyances and, if necessary, proceed with condemnation subject to further council approval. Staff will post supporting materials on LakewoodSpeaks and the city’s utility billing webpages.

Authorities and formal actions referenced: R2026-12 (sanitary sewer fee resolution), O2026-7 (second-reading ordinance declaring intent to acquire property interests for sewer/storm infrastructure).