Boulder council affirms meter-replacement rule, notes bulk water sale and approves water-project pay application

The Boulder City Council on Aug. 18, 2025 affirmed that property owners are responsible for replacing damaged or malfunctioning water meters, after a resident disputed the city's position.

During Old Business resident Greg Huges told council he believed the city was responsible for replacing a frozen/damaged meter he says was installed incorrectly and inside his house. City Administrator Brian Bullock read the relevant city code to the council, which states that the homeowner is responsible for replacing a damaged meter. The council voted to follow the code; Drew Dawson amended the motion to add that the City would not pay for the damaged meter. Tim Graff moved to follow the city code; the amended motion, seconded by Mike Taylor, carried with four aye votes. Huges said he will be hiring an attorney.

Separately, Mayor Russell Giulio read a prepared statement noting that from Aug. 12–17 the City sold 97,000 gallons of water to Bullock Contracting, LLC, and explained the legal basis for furnishing water to customers outside municipal limits under state law. The mayor said the water came from an irrigation well and "there was no impact on the public drinking water system." He also read the city policy setting bulk water at "$0.01 a gallon, minimum 1,000 gallons," as established in Resolution 2023-02.

On infrastructure, the council approved Pay Application #3 for Karnath Contracting for Phase 1, Schedule A of the water-system updates after a brief overview by City Administrator Bullock. The minutes list the pay-app approval but do not specify the dollar amount for Pay Application #3 in the recorded text.

The council authorized bills as presented and adjourned at 7:38 p.m.