City Council Approves Rate Hikes For Public Works Projects

DENVER (CBS4) - The Denver City Council approved an increase in annual storm and sanitary sewer rates after Monday night's meeting.

Denver Public Works will use the rate hikes to help address a backlog of projects as well as keep pace with growth.

The fee increase will be implemented over a five-year period beginning this year. It will support $383 million in citywide storm drainage improvements, water quality projects, and sanitary system costs. The money will also help fund the Platte to Park Hill Stormwater Systems program, a flood management project.

The first project in Globeville starts later this year. It will change the layout of Globeville Park to allow stormwater to easily flow through it to the South Platte River.

The most controversial is the redesign of City Park to include a detention area in the golf course.

Many golfers worry the changes will close the course and disrupt the landscape.

"It will be closed for a portion of time, I think we're estimating 18 months to 2 years possibly, so folks will be golfing elsewhere during that time," said Denver Public Works spokeswoman Nancy Kuhn. "Our goal is to integrate this storm water system while also making the golf course better and even more playable and enjoyable when we're completed, I think people are going to be really pleased."

As a result, the average resident will pay roughly $23 more per year for the next five years. This includes both storm and sanitary bills combined.

Customers will receive information about the rate change when they receive their bills.