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Aspen staff propose 15% water and stepped electric increases to shore up utilities
Summary
Utilities staff recommended a 15% water rate increase for 2026 (with projected 10% in later years) tied to water‑treatment funding, and cited rising wholesale and transmission costs driving proposed electric rate changes; council asked about low‑income supports and impact on electrification goals.
Aaron Loffin Maleconi, utilities director, presented staff’s proposed utility rate adjustments for 2026, saying the water proposal is a 15% adjustment from 2025 to 2026 aligned with funding needs for water treatment improvements. “The proposed rate increase that we're talking about for the previous bill examples in this slide here is a 15% rate adjustment from 2025 to 2026,” he said.
Cole Langford explained electric cost drivers: increases in wholesale power costs and transmission charges. He told council the transmission increases relate to larger regional projects and that the 2026 proposal reflects those external pressures. Council probed protections for low‑income residents and the qualification threshold for assistance (staff noted a program for fixed‑income seniors tied to county refund programs, with qualification around 400% of median income). Council also questioned ECI (electric capacity impact) fees and whether they penalize electrification; staff said ECI fees are designed to make development pay incremental system costs rather than subsidize them with general ratepayer funds.
Council agreed in principle to the utilities’ approach and asked staff to return with clearer numbers and options for expanded low‑income support, noting larger long‑term capital needs for water and the potential for significant multi‑year transmission cost increases on the electric side.
