Fort Collins Utilities Proposed 2027 Rate Increases
Published on June 10, 2026
Story Updated: Oct. 28, 2026
Contact: UtilitiesMedia@fortcollins.gov
Fort Collins Utilities is proposing rate increases for 2027 to help maintain reliable utility services, replace aging infrastructure and keep pace with inflation. If City Council adopts the proposed rates in November, a residential customer who receives all four Utilities services could see an average bill increase of about 9.3%, or just under $19 per month, in 2027.
Please visit City Council's website for meeting materials for first reading (Nov. 3) and second reading (Nov. 17).
Proposed Rates Increases
| Service |
2027 |
| Light & Power |
7.0% |
| Water |
15.0% |
| Wastewater |
10.0% |
| Stormwater |
5.0% |
Residential Monthly Bill Comparison 2026 to 2027
| Service (with average use) |
2026 rates |
2027 rates |
% Change |
$ Change |
| Electric (620 kilowatt-hours/month) |
$90.22 |
$96.54 |
7.0% |
$6.32 |
| Water (7,000 gallons/month) |
$49.46 |
$56.88 |
15.0% |
$7.42 |
| Wastewater (3,300 gallons/month WQA) |
$38.24 |
$42.06 |
10.0% |
$3.82 |
| Stormwater (8,000 sq. ft. lot, light runoff) |
$25.97 |
$27.27 |
5.0% |
$1.30 |
| Avg. Utility Bill Total |
$203.89 |
$222.75 |
9.3% |
$18.86 |
Rates increases are needed due to major capital projects and ongoing infrastructure requirements to maintain the reliable, high-quality utility services customers depend on every day. If these rates are approved by Council in November, our customers will continue to pay among the most affordable utilities rates in the Front Range.
Utilities provides drinking water that consistently exceeds state and federal standards and electric service with a 99.99% reliability rate. As a locally owned, not-for-profit utility, revenue is reinvested into utility operations, infrastructure and community projects. The city invests in critical infrastructure to support our community's future, including water storage to bolster emergency supplies during droughts and ongoing upgrades to hundreds of miles of water mains to ensure safe and reliable drinking water. We also invest in new transformers that help deliver dependable, sustainable electricity to our 81,000+ customers.
What is causing the rate increase for each utility?
Electric
The proposed 7% increase is driven by a need to cover the increase in distribution operating costs and investments in capital projects. Wholesale electric expenses are anticipated to increase in 2027 and 2028 as well.
Water
The proposed 15% rate increase in 2027 is primarily driven by capital investments. These include a large water storage project to strengthen long-term water reliability during drought and ongoing replacement of aging water infrastructure with more than 600 miles of water mains.
Wastewater
The proposed 10% rate increase in 2027 and 2028 is due to ongoing operational inflationary pressures and the Drake Water Reclamation Facility which requires significant capital investment to continue to treat 23 million gallons of wastewater per day.
Stormwater
The proposed 5% rate increase in 2027 and 2028 is due to capital planning for large flood mitigation projects, and ongoing replacement of collection system infrastructure.
Payment Assistance
We understand rate increases affect everyone differently. Utilities partners with local organizations to help lower your utility bill. IQAP provides Utilities customers who are at or below 60% of the state median income reduced rates on select Utilities services. If you qualify, you can receive a 25% rate discount on electric, water and wastewater services. Visit our Payment Assistance page to learn more about your options.
Next Steps
It’s important to note that these are currently proposed rates. There will not be a final decision until November after all scenarios and budgets are fully assessed with community and customer impact in mind. Information on our current residential rates can be found on our Rates page. Similar rate percentage increases are expected in 2028, though staff will present those to City Council in 2027.