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2026 Bond Proposal

Central Colorado Water Conservancy District’s Board of Directors is considering a $250 million bond question for the November 2026 ballot. Input from CCWCD’s residents and businesses is critical throughout this process. Board members and staff welcome community input and will use the information gathered as part of this community survey—as well as other public input—to decide whether to place the question on the ballot.

If approved by voters, the bond would help fund the acquisition of renewable water rights and construction of new reservoir storage to keep water in our region and ensure that this resource remains available for agricultural use.

Proposed bond language:

Shall the Central Colorado Water Conservancy District debt be increased up to $250 million, with a maximum repayment cost of up to $470 million, and shall district taxes be increased up to $18.7 million annually for the purpose of developing, acquiring and managing reliable water resources through debt financing to:

  • Lessen drought impact and increase water supplies necessary to support and maintain family farms and agricultural businesses through development of water projects to capture water during times of high supply for use during times of need;

  • Prevent local farm and ranch dry-ups and keep water in Adams, Morgan and Weld counties through the acquisition of senior water rights;

  • Acquire, construct and improve long-term water storage reservoirs and other facilities to more efficiently store and deliver water available to the district;

Such debt to consist of the issuance and payment of bonds or similar limited tax obligations, which debt shall bear interest at a maximum net effective interest rate not to exceed 6.0% per annum; shall ad valorem property taxes be levied in any year at a limited mill levy rate not to exceed 3 mills, and shall any investment earnings (regardless of amount) from such tax revenues and from the proceeds of such bonds constitute a voter-approved revenue change?

Estimated* tax increase for $250 million bond:

Residential:

($100,000 in actual value)

$1.40 per month

Commercial:

($100,000 in actual value)

$5.10 per month

*Preliminary figures, subject to change. Annual payments are based on estimates and assumed to be level. Interest rates and term subject to change upon pricing.

Taxpayer Accountability:

  • Bond proposal requires voter approval at the November election and will specify where the money is spent, providing local control and certainty for taxpayers.

  • The district is required to conduct an annual independent audit of the bond funds and publish a report on its website at www.ccwcd.org.

  • Approximately 70 percent of the district’s taxes are paid by the oil and gas industry, reducing impact to local taxpayers while supporting drought resiliency and regional farms and ranches.

  • Central uses low interest loans from the Colorado Water Conservation Board to pay off its debt faster–saving taxpayers millions of dollars. For example, the district’s 2006 CWCD loan was repaid 9 years early. Its 2011 loan is on schedule to be paid in full 13 years early, potentially saving taxpayers more than $1.8 million.

Governance
and fiscal accountability

Central is governed by a 15-member Board of Directors. Directors must reside and own real property within the District boundaries.

As a public entity, Central is required to have Board meetings open to the public and provide information through open records requests. Central conducts annual audits and other fiscal accountability and transparency measures to ensure the highest level of public trust.

Central’s Board and administration have successfully managed approximately $168 million in previous debt approved by voters. Central has received about $10 million in federal and state grant dollars to further leverage local tax dollars to support its projects and operations.

Please visit CCWCD for information about governance and fiscal accountability.