Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Water Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Frederick sets 2026 water allowance at 30 CBT units; board confirms multiple appointments
Summary
The Board of Trustees approved a change to the water reservation and allocation policy that sets the 2026 water allowance at 30 CBT units, and confirmed a slate of board and commission appointments during the same meeting.
The Town of Frederick approved an amendment to its water reservation and allocation policy and set the 2026 water allowance to 30 Colorado-Big-Thompson (CBT) units, and the board confirmed multiple appointments to town boards and commissions.
Engineering staff presented the policy update, noting the policy provides a structured way to dedicate water resources primarily to projects the board finds align with town goals rather than to large, new neighborhoods. "Our 2025 water allowance was 154 CBT units, and of that only 0.73 units were used for one infill project," the presenter explained during the briefing. Based on supply planning analysis and drought conditions, staff recommended reducing the 2026 water allowance to 30 CBT units to preserve flexibility.
Trustees asked how developers 'bring their own water.' Staff explained that projects typically perform a water-demand analysis and then obtain CBT shares on the open market (Northern Water facilitates those transactions); the town processes temporary use permits that can become permanent. The policy is designed to make modest infill or small commercial projects feasible without requiring them to purchase large amounts of CBT on the open market.
During the discussion staff clarified that CBT units are tradable water-right shares and noted market prices have risen substantially; a staff member gave an approximate market context for buyers. The board approved the policy amendment and the 30-unit allowance by roll call vote, recorded as passing 4 to 0.
Earlier in the meeting the board also approved a slate of appointments recommended by the interview panel to fill vacancies across several town committees and commissions. Appointments and reappointments include Dan March (Historic Preservation), Thomas Cabe (Historic Preservation reappointment), Beth Shields, Brian Schmidt, and Ashley Kolberg (Krause/PROS/PROS-like bodies depending on committee naming in packet), Roger Kelly (Planning Commission reappointment), Kyle Ragan (Planning Commission alternate), Annabelle Lewis and Judy Church (Arts Committee reappointments), and new Arts Committee members Bill Haddell and Alton Sinclair. The board approved the appointments by voice/roll call and moved the slate forward with a 4-0 vote.
The policy change will move the annual review from January to May to align more closely with the town's water shortage monitoring schedule. Staff said they will coordinate with economic development for likely eligible projects and continue targeted communications with developers and HOAs.
