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Adams County presents new cost‑sharing formula; Northglenn’s annual shelter bill would roughly double under proposal
Summary
Adams County and Riverdale shelter leaders presented a new three‑year rolling average formula and proposed partner fees that would raise Northglenn’s 2027 charge from about $40,350 to $82,184; presenters cited rising intakes, longer shelter stays and increased operational costs since 2018.
Adams County and Riverdale Animal Shelter officials asked Northglenn to approve a new cost‑sharing methodology and a significant partner fee increase, saying shelter intakes and costs have risen sharply since the prior partner fee update.
Shelter leadership said they have not increased partner fees since 2018, and reported that annual animal intakes rose from roughly 6,400 in 2018 to more than 8,300 last year. Using a new three‑year rolling average and a revised allocation formula that credits back adoptions and reclaimed pets, the shelter proposed Northglenn’s billed share for 2027 would be $82,184 — up from $40,350 — an increase of $41,834. "We have not done an increase since 2018," Riverdale staff said, explaining growth in intake and length of stay drove operational costs.
Presenters described mitigation steps: volunteer programs that contributed roughly 17,000 service hours (about 17 FTE equivalents), transfer partnerships with other shelters, grant revenue and plans to create a nonprofit fundraising arm. Council members asked whether the increase would fund capital (expansion) versus operations; county staff said the increase is intended for operations (staff, medical care, supplies), not building costs, and confirmed the proposed amount is accounted for in the city's proposed 2027 budget. The council did not take an immediate vote; staff and council asked for follow-up details on volunteer sourcing, credits and billing mechanics.
