Town of Estes Park Seeks Public Feedback on Proposed Stormwater Utility Fees
From the Town of Estes Park:
New fees would be assessed on all Estes Valley property owners to pay for flood mitigation projects
The Town of Estes Park encourages Estes Valley property owners to learn about a proposed Stormwater Management Program and provide feedback by July 17. The Town recently completed a Stormwater Master Plan that recommends $79 million in proposed projects to reduce flood risk and a possible fee-based utility to fund and implement the projects. The utility would exist within the Estes Valley Development Code boundary, including unincorporated portions of the Estes Valley.
Meetings in June included an overview presentation and breakout sessions to review conceptual maps and projects with property owners. Property owners are encouraged to review the updated information, including a video presentation, and provide feedback through the online survey by July 17 at www.estes.org/stormwater. Printed surveys are available at the Public Works Department in Room 100 of Town Hall, 170 MacGregor Ave. Town staff will also be available at the Estes Valley Farmer’s Market in Bond Park June 14 and 21 to provide information and gather feedback.
Public Works Director Greg Muhonen explained the importance of flood mitigation, “For every $1 spent on mitigation and resiliency projects, $4 to $8 can be saved on future flood response and recovery. By taking proactive steps we can reduce these repetitive risks to our community.”
New fees are proposed for all owners of developed property within the Estes Valley Development Code boundary. The current cost model for the Estes Valley predicts monthly fees starting around $7 and averaging around $26 for all property types. The median proposed fee is about $14, and 90% of the proposed monthly fees are under $46. Residents of most other Larimer County and Front Range communities already pay monthly stormwater fees ranging from about $4 to $13 per month. Commercial property owners in these communities pay up to $160 per month. The basis for stormwater fees and charges is typically the amount of impervious area within a developed parcel.
The projects are proposed to be built over a 30-year period or as funding and approvals allow. In addition to reducing flood risk for residents and businesses, the projects would ultimately help remove properties from the new, draft floodplain boundaries presented recently by the Colorado Water Conservation Board.
For more information please visit www.estes.org/stormwater or contact Town Engineering Manager David Hook at dhook@estes.org or 970-577-3586.