Pueblo West hears Colorado Rural Water analysis showing fourth-tier rate and larger rate adjustments could close multi‑million dollar gap

District leaders and an outside consultant presented an informational analysis of Pueblo West’s water and sewer finances and a parcel-level vegetation mapping pilot that could help target outdoor irrigation use.

The most immediate topic was a rate-model briefing from Josiah Thomas of the Colorado Rural Water Association, introduced by Christian J. Hein, Pueblo West district manager, and Jim Blazing, director of utilities. Thomas said the model shows adding a fourth consumption tier — with the highest tier currently modeled at about "$9.46 a kilogallon" in his slide text — would increase revenue by roughly $1.1 million without other rate adjustments. Combining the fourth tier with proposed increases to base and usage charges (Thomas showed an illustrative 20 percent base‑charge increase and a 30 percent usage‑charge increase) could increase total revenue by roughly $3.1 million in the model presented.

Why it matters: presenters said the model is designed to meet common financial guardrails—debt service coverage over 1.2, reserves above roughly nine months of O&M, and revenue sufficient to cover operations and…