Broomfield Taxpayer Matters

October 20, 2025

This newsletter contains the following stories and information:

Upcoming Voice Heard Event - October 25, 2025
Broomfield Council's Message to the Taxpayers: Don't believe your lying eyes
Questions are Rampant on the 2026 Proposed Budget
Water Rates Set to Rise Again
Broomfield's Debt is About to Go Up in 2026. By Alot.
Upcoming Agendas
October 21, Study Session
October 28, Regular Meeting
City Council member contact information

Pay Attention to these upcoming items in the Broomfield Council Agendas:

October 21 - Study Session

2A. Third Quarter Enterprise Update
2B. Broomfield Transit Study Final Report

October 28 - Regular Meeting

The Entire Meeting is Chock Full of Business, see below.

Please let us know if you plan to attend by registering here.

Join us at our next

“Make Your Voice Heard” Event

Make Your Voice Heard At the Ballot Box

Saturday October 25

1:00PM - 3:00PM

Come learn all about the city and state measures that are on your ballot.

Bring your ballot and fill it out.

(Event Location will be sent after sign up and RSVP verifications are completed.)

Local News

Broomfield Council's Message to the Taxpayers:

Don't believe your lying eyes

The leaves are falling, there's a scent of pumpkin spice and crispness in the air. It's also 2026 annual budget season, water rate increase season, and election season. Add in $305 million in proposed municipal debt, and you get public discussions full of hand wringing, posturing, explaining, and blaming. That is exactly what is happening with the City and County of Broomfield and the Broomfield Council.

At the Broomfield Council's October 14 Council Meeting, all of these were on full display (except the pumpkin spice lattes). The Broomfield Staff presented and the Council muddled through a public facing 21 page staff memo covering the 2026 proposed budget for the City and County of Broomfield, Arista Local Improvement District, and Broomfield Urban Renewal Authority, the next increase to your water, sewer, reclaimed water, and stormwater rates, and three major bond issuances (Police Building/Courts, Water Tanks, Wastewater Facility).

Three big topics. One document.

To say that confusion and finger-pointing ensued during the meeting would be an understatement.

To summarize our take on the evening - The Broomfield Council and Broomfield Staff is telling you "don't believe your lying eyes".

Don't believe what the public 2026 Proposed Annual Budget document says in black and white numbers.

Don't blame the council when you open your water bill that has doubled in the last three years, it's not our fault. Broomfield's budget is in a good place, so don't question the $305 million in new debt that is coming in 2026.

Don't believe your lying eyes.

Questions are Rampant on the 2026 Proposed Budget

We at Broomfield Taxpayer Matters have been focused on Broomfield's budget for the last 5 years. We've gone through the budget numbers back to 2017. We have asked over 120 questions to staff (we have a boatload more coming on the 2026 Proposed Annual Budget), and we have been sharing those numbers with Broomfield residents, most recently with our Broomfield and Your Money Flyer and supporting website. The flyer is fully sourced using Broomfield's published budget documents, staff memos, and other available sources.

The picture is clear: Since 2017, the Broomfield Council has made it increasingly more expensive to live in Broomfield.

What is the Broomfield Council and Staff telling you about the published 2026 Proposed Annual Budget?

Well, here's their explanation. The budget is complex and nuanced, and it's hard to explain to you the taxpayer. Those pesky numbers in the budget? You need to understand GASB account standards or be a CPA to read the document in the proper context. They've always done it this way, and they have won awards for their budgets.

As Graham Clark said, "Yes, I think it certainly will [receive the award this year]. Um, and uh I think it is transparent and relatively easy to read."

So which is it? Do you need a CPA or is it an easy read?

Don't believe the numbers in the budget. Don't believe that tax revenue is expected be down 3% year over year. Don't believe that overall 2026 revenue will be up 52.76% largely due to $283,492,812 in "Bond Proceeds" (read money from new debt coming in 2026). Don't believe that the total spending in 2026 is expected to be $897,402,188 - a 41.69% increase year over year. (Page 3, Table 1C of the 2026 Proposed Annual Budget).

A deeper look at three tables in the public 2026 Proposed Annual Budget - Table 1C (page 3), Table 2B (page 7), and Table 4A (page 11) - shows bad math and shoddy numbers that cannot be tied across the tables. The detailed numbers between Table 1C (Total Budget Summary) and Table 2B (Revenue-Detail Source of Funds With Beginning Balances) are incomplete, inaccurate, and do not correlate. Table 4A (Total Bonded Indebtedness) does not include any mention of the debt that will be incurred to fund the "Bond Proceeds" included in Table 1C. (see below).

Further, there are no explanations provided with these tables, so what is the public supposed to draw from the numbers that are in black and white?

Table 1C (click for details):

Table 1C Includes $283,492,812 in revenue from "Bond Proceeds".

Note that "Bond Proceeds" is only referenced one time in the

2026 Proposed Annual Budget.

Why is there no explanation for "Bond Proceeds" provided with Table 1C?

Why is there in explanation regarding the 41.69% increase in spending?

Table 2B (click for details):

Using the figures in Table 2B, the "Total Revenue" of $884,126,371 does not equal the amount of the subtotals in the table added up. When those totals are added, the amount is $600,623,559. What is missing? $283,492,812 in revenue from "Bond Proceeds" that is only noted in Table 1C.

Why are "Bond Proceeds" not included in Table 2B? Why is there no explanation for the discrepancy?

Table 4B (click for details):

Table 4B (bonded indebtedness) makes absolutely no mention of Broomfield's planned 2026 debt to fund the "Bond Proceeds" for the Broomfield Police Department Building, North Water Tanks, and Wastewater Treatment facility

Why are there no Proposed 2026 columns in Table 4B? Why is this debt not included or explained?

So can the public trust the figures and math in the 2026 Proposed Annual Budget? Hardly. Why would the public believe what they are telling us in their extraneous explanation in public meetings and on social media regarding their own public budget document, when at the same time they provide no explanations in their own documents?

Broomfield Water Rates Set to Rise Again. This time by 15%

This may or may not come to you as a shock, but your water, sewer, and stormwater fees are set to rise again. This is the fourth increase in as many years, and will goin up by another 15% in 2026, the average water bill will be $136.79. The average water bill has DOUBLED since 2023 ($67.83). And there is "no end in sight" to the water rate increases. Broomfield residents can expect their average water bill to increase to $146.83 by 2028 - a 133% increase compared to 2023.

During the October 14, 2026 Council Meeting, Broomfield Council's explanations for the water rate increase ranged from tarriffs, to interest rates, to blaming everyone that came before them. They want you to forget that they have been in control since 2017.

The chart to the right is based on the July 16, 2024 Enterprise Fund update. Manager Hoffman was promoted to Assistant City Manager in 2015 and then to City Manager in 2019. Mayor Castriotta and Mayor Pro-Tem Shaff were first elected to council in 2017. See how the largest shortfalls occurred under their watch? How can they blame everyone else and excuse themselves completely?

We look at it this way. You buy a home that is 20 years old. You do an inspection, but that doesn't guarantee the home will be problem free. The home is a 20-year old house, it is aging and will need some repairs. You can't blame the last homeowner because they can't control the aging process. As an adult, you take responsibility and you fix the things the need to be fixed, eyes wide open and setting aside funds that will be needed.

They also keep trying to tell you that Broomfield is not as expensive as other municipalities, which is true, but if we raise our rates than it gives other municipalities reason to raise their rates and it is an unending cycle of increasing costs because "Other municipalities are more expensive!" The current Broomfield Council's policies have contributed to the predicament that finds itself in terms of water, and they continue to make it more and more expensive to live in Broomfield.

Broomfield's Debt is About to Go Up in 2026. By Alot. Like, ALOT.

The last key topic covered at the October 14, 2026 Council Meeting was the first reading of three ordinances to introduce $305 million in new debt in 2026 (see pages 20-21).

Ordinance No. 2288 (First Reading): Authorizes issuance of $80M Water Revenue Bonds for water tanks.
Ordinance No. 2289 (First Reading): Authorizes issuance of $125M Sewer Revenue and Refunding Bonds for wastewater treatment expansion and refunding 2012 Bonds.
Ordinance No. 2290: Authorizes $100M Certificates of Participation for Police Building and Courts Remodel, and re-funding previous 2017 Certificates of Participation (COPs).

More details of each of the ordinances are provided below.

Ordinance No. 2288:

Authorization to issue up to $80 million in water revenue bonds to fund the construction of new water tanks, specifically targeting development north of W. 144th Avenue.
Maximum annual debt payment capped at $5.9 million, with maturity on or before December 1, 2047, and interest rate not exceeding 5.50%.
The debt originates from the Water Activity Enterprise fund and does not impact the City’s general fund.
A related resolution (No. 2025-152) was introduced to authorize reimbursement to the general fund for project costs advanced prior to bond closing.
Construction is projected to start in January 2026 and last approximately 36 months.

Ordinance No. 2289:

Authorization to issue up to $125 million in sewer revenue and refunding bonds to fund the Wastewater Treatment Facility Expansion (Phase 1B) and refund outstanding 2012 Sewer Revenue Refunding Bonds.
Maximum annual debt payment capped at $11 million, maturing on or before December 1, 2047, with interest rate capped at 5.50%.
The bonds originate from the Sewer Activity Enterprise fund, not impacting the City’s general fund.
Construction on the facility expansion is expected to begin in 2026.
The refunding will redeem the 2012 bonds maturing in 2031.

Ordinance No. 2290:

The City plans to issue $100 million in bonds via COPs to finance the Police Building and Courts Remodel.
The financing will collateralize existing City facilities such as Paul Derda Recreation Center, Broomfield Community Center, Detention Center, and Service Center Administration Building.
Annual debt payments are anticipated not to exceed $7.9 million, with payments coming from the City’s general fund. However, these payments are subject to annual appropriation, so the debt is not a general obligation debt.
The issuance will refinance the outstanding 2017 COPs (currently $10.89 million), which mature in 2027, using unencumbered cash on hand.
The COPs term will mature on or before December 31, 2047, with a net effective interest rate capped at 5.50%.
The issuance is supported by previously designated property tax revenue increases from 2023.

These anticipated bonds and Certificates of Participation (COP) will put more debt on Broomfield's credit card, increasing the total amount of debt on Broomfield's books by $305 million. Who is going to be on the hook to pay for the debt? You the taxpayer through historically high property taxes and ever increasing water rates.

According to the City and County of Broomfield, the situation is dire, even as they tout their good credit rating (largely obtained by increasing your water rates) because of uncertainties in construction costs and tariffs which create financial risks and urgency for timely bond approval.

Upcoming City Council Meetings

Please let us know if you plan to attend by registering here.

October 21, 2025

Study Session 6:00 PM

Agenda

Concept Review (1)

Study Session (2)

2A. Third Quarter Enterprise Update

2B. Broomfield Transit Study Final Report

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October 28, 2025

Regular Meeting 6:00 PM

Agenda

Meeting Commencement (1)

1A. Pledge of Allegiance

1B. Review and Approval of Agenda

Petitions and Communications (2)

Councilmember Reports (3)

Public Comments (4)

Note: For public comment on items other than in this agenda

Reports (5)

5A. Expense Report for Elected Officials - 3rd Quarter

Consent Items (6)

6A. Approval of Minutes from Previous Meeting

6B. Mile High Water License Approval

- Resolution No. 2025-146

6C. Private Activity Bond (PAB) Request to Broomfield Housing Alliance (BHA)

- Resolution No. 2025-149

6D. Appointing Daisy Glassburn as Arbitrator for Board of Equalization (BOE)

- Resolution No. 2025-147-BOE

6E. Request for Executive Session related to Conservation Easement

Action Items (7)

7A. City and County Proposed Revised 2025 Budget and 2026 Budget

- Resolution No. 2025-141 - 2nd Amendment to 2025 Budget

- Resolution No. 2025-142 - approving 2026 Budget

7B. BURA Proposed Revised 2025 Budget and 2026 Budget

- Resolution No. 2025-143-UR - 2nd Amend. to 2025 BURA Budget

- Resolution No. 2025-144-UR - approving 2026 BURA Budget

7C. Arista Local Improvement District Proposed 2026 Budget

- Resolution No. 2025-145-AID - approving 2026 BURA Budget

7D. Amending Water, Sewer, Reclaimed and Stormwater Fees

- Ordinance No. 2286

7E. Enterprise Revenue Bonds and Police Building COP

- Ordinance 2288 - Enterprise Water Revenue Bond

- Ordinance 2289 - Enterprise Sewer Revenue Bond

- Ordinance 2290 - Police Building COP

7F. Continuation of Partial Property Tax Refund (PPTR) and Utility Rate Assistance Fund

- Resolution No. 2025-153, URAF

- Resolution No. 2025-154, PPTR

7G. Water Tanks Construction Agreement

- Resolution No. 2025-131, Guaranteed Maximum Price

- Resolution No. 2025-137, Consulting Agreement

- Resolution No. 2025-152, Reimbursement for Construction of Water Improvements

7H. Ordinance - Water and Sewer License Purchase and Refund

- Ordinance 2287

7I. Broomfield Business Center Metro District Service Plan Agreement

- Resolution No. 2025-148

Mayor and Councilmember Requests for Future Action (8)

Adjournment (9)

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Contact the City and County of Broomfield

Contact your City Council or City Staff about one of these stories:

Mayor - Guyleen Castriotta

gcastriotta@broomfieldcitycouncil.org

720-607-1527

Ward 1 -

James Marsh-Holschen

jmarshholschen@broomfieldcitycouncil.org

720-507-9184

Kenny Nguyen

knguyen@broomfieldcitycouncil.org

303-438-6300

Ward 2 -

Paloma Delgadillo

pdelgadillo@broomfieldcitycouncil.org

720-916-6406

Austin Ward

award@broomfieldcitycouncil.org

303-817-0991

Ward 3 -

Deven Shaff

dshaff@broomfieldcitycouncil.org

970-344-8032

Jean Lim

jlim@broomfieldcitycouncil.org

303-349-2745

Ward 4 -

Laurie Anderson

landerson@broomfieldcitycouncil.org

920-378-9654

Bruce Leslie

bleslie@broomfieldcitycouncil.org

210-324-5750

Ward 5 -

Todd Cohen

tcohen@broomfieldcitycouncil.org

720-900-5452

Heidi Henkel

hhenkel@broomfieldcitycouncil.org

303-349-0978

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