Assessments and Water Rate Study

Allotment Contracts Assessments

The Board of Directors passed the current rate assessments for 2026 on Aug. 7, 2025. The assessment amount of open-rate irrigation assessments in 2026 is $36.07 per acre-foot unit. The amount of open-rate municipal, industrial and multipurpose assessments for 2026 is $56.17 per acre-foot unit.

Water in the East Portal of the Adams Tunnel.

Assessments by Class

  1. Class B Assessments

    Allottees must pay all Class B assessments by Oct. 1 following the year of delivery. Section 131 Contract payments are due Oct. 1 of the year prior to delivery. 

    The 2026 Class B assessment rate is $56.17 per unit. 

  2. Class C Assessments

    Allottees must pay all Class C assessments by March 1 of the year prior to delivery. 

    The 2026 Class C assessment rates are: 

    • Domestic, Industrial, Multipurpose: $56.17 per unit 
    • Irrigation: $36.07 per unit 

  3. Class D Assessments

    Allottees pay all Class D assessments in arrears with their property taxes. Northern Water submits a list of allottees who have Class D assessments to the counties each year before Oct. 1. The counties collect and distribute assessment revenues to us on a monthly basis. 

    The 2026 Class D assessment rates is $36.07 per unit.

    Colorado-Big Thompson Project water deliveries from Boulder Reservoir to allotment contract holders include a $4.50 per acre-foot unit delivery charge. This is subject to change as the Board decides this charge at the annual rate hearing.

 

2021 Water Rate Study

The Northern Water Board of Directors conducted a 2021 rate study to determine what adjustments were needed in our revenue structure, primarily our water assessment rates, to ensure the future financial health of the organization and to meet operation and maintenance commitments to the C-BT Project. 

Each August, the Northern Water Board of Directors holds an annual rate hearing at the Board Planning Session to set assessments for the next fiscal year.

For more information on the rate study, please contact Jerry Gibbens at 970-622-2299.

2021 Rate Study Report
 
Historical Summary of Assessment Charges