Hidden Valley Water District

The Hidden Valley Water District was established in 2017 to take over ownership and operations of an existing public water supply system owned and operated by the Hidden Valley Mutual Water Company (Water Company).  In 2019, it entered into an intergovernmental agreement with an adjoining water district, the Evergreen Metropolitan District (EMD), to obtain bulk water for the District’s customers that meets current EPA water quality standards.  In 2020, the District completed the infrastructure necessary to tie into EMD’s existing water system and has upgraded some of its existing distribution system.  As part of the intergovernmental agreement, the District still needs to purchase water storage rights that will be needed to augment the water supply being diverted out of the Bear Creek water basin to serve the Hidden Valley Water District service area.  The District serves approximately 64 connected taps in its service area which is located in Jefferson County.

The 2025 budget was prepared in accordance with the Local Budget Law of Colorado. The budget reflects the projected spending plan for the 2025 fiscal year based on projected revenues coming from several sources. The budget provides for the general operations of the District, a business-like enterprise for the distribution of treated water, the annual debt service of the United States Department of Agriculture loan that the District has assumed from the Water Company, the accrued interest for the District’s loan with the Colorado Water Conservation Board and additional capital expenditures including water rights.

An election was held on November 7, 2017. As a result of this election, the qualified electors of the District approved (1) a tax increase of $125,000 annually starting in 2018 and amounts either more or less than $125,000 thereafter which are necessary to pay the District's administration, operations, maintenance and capital expenses and authorized the District to collect, retain and spend all revenues and other funds received from any source, without limitation imposed by 29-1-301 or Article X Section 20 for the Colorado Constitution, and (2) an increase in the District's debt of $3,000,000 with a repayment cost of $24,600,000 and a tax increase of $24,600,000 annually or by such lesser amount as may be necessary for the payment of such debt and any refunding thereof.

The District's assessed value is $2,786,823 for 2024. The District certified 74.242 mills in 2024 for taxes collected in the 2025 fiscal year.  The District is dedicating 54.184 mills to Operations and the Debt Service for its USDA loan and 20.059 mills to the Debt Service for its CWCB loan.

Emergency Reserve

As required by Section 20 of Article X of the Colorado Constitution (“TABOR”), the District provides for an Emergency Reserve in the amount of 3% of the its fiscal year spending less certain allowed exclusions.  Funds in excess of the Emergency Reserve are intended to be set aside for required loan reserves and capital project reserves.