Colorado Water
Jim Spencer writes about Denver Water's decision to raise rates in his column in today's Denver Post [August 17, 2004, "Denverites soaked for saving H20"]. Spencer writes, "Those of us who face higher water bills can only frown and feel duped...The surcharges the water board placed on excess water use during the drought were 'incentives to reduce demand,' said Kerry Kuykendoll, the utility's manager of rate administration. They were not based on operating costs. Projected operating costs for 2005 are $167.1 million, Kuykendoll said. Projected revenues are $154 million. On Sept. 25, the staff will recommend new individual rates to make up the difference."
The Denver Water Board's decision to raise rates dramatically is the subject of this opinion piece from the Rocky Mountain News [August 1, 2004, "Speakout: Water Board should fine-tune its own ambitions"]. From the article, "If board members were running their own company and spending their own money, they would immediately consider cutting their capital budget. Yes, they are cutting back expenses and, yes, they are not filling open positions. Those are the first two steps in cost-cutting. The final step, though, cuts the big bucks: trim those future construction projects with the giant price tags. The board asked the public to re-examine its fundamental needs. Perhaps, its own ambitions could use a bit of fine-tuning."
Updated Ed Quillen thinks that Greg Walcher is vulnerable in CG3 here in Coloado due to his support for Referendum A. [Denver Post, August 17, 2004, "What is Walcher's stand?"]. Not the first time that water policy has effected an election.
5:59:05 AM 
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