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BOARD OF WATER COMMISSIONERS

Denver City Charter subtit. B, art. X
in effect

Denver City Charter, art. X, § 10.1.1 Board of Water Commissioners created.

§ 10.1.1 - Board of Water Commissioners created. There shall be and hereby is continued and created a non-political Board of Water Commissioners of five members, to have complete charge and control of a water works system and plant for supplying the City and County of Denver and its inhabitants with water for all uses and purposes. (Charter 1960, C4.14; amended May 19, 1959)

Denver City Charter, art. X, § 10.1.2 Appointments to Board.

§ 10.1.2 - Appointments to Board. On the second Monday in July of odd-numbered years, the Mayor shall appoint one or two Commissioners, as the case may be, for terms of six years each to succeed those whose terms are expiring. The members of the Board of Water Commissioners shall each continue in office until their successors are appointed and qualified. Any vacancy on the Board shall be filled promptly by appointment by the Mayor. Each appointee shall be a citizen of the United States, a resident of the City and County of Denver, and at least 25 years of age. If a member of the Board shall cease to be a resident of Denver, the individual shall thereupon cease to be a member of the Board. (Charter 1960, C4.15; amended May 19, 1959; Ord. No. 428-02, § 1, 6-3-02, elec. 8-13-02; Ord. No. 659-02, § 1, 8-26-02, elec. 11-5-02)

Denver City Charter, art. X, § 10.1.3 Compensation and bonds.

§ 10.1.3 - Compensation and bonds. The Commissioners shall each receive compensation of $600.00 per annum. Each Commissioner shall give an oath or affirmation and give an official bond in an amount and conditioned and approved as provided by the Board by resolution. The Board may require the Treasurer of the City and County of Denver to give bond conditioned in such manner as shall be determined by the Board. The premiums on all such bonds shall be paid out of the Water Works Fund. (Charter 1960, C4.16; amended May 19, 1959; amended November 3, 1998; Ord. No. 659-02, § 1, 8-26-02, elec. 11-5-02)

Denver City Charter, art. X, § 10.1.4 Board meetings.

§ 10.1.4 - Board meetings. The Board shall hold two regular meetings each month on such days as it may by resolution determine, and special meetings at such other times as it may deem necessary. All meetings shall be open and public. If any member of the Board shall be absent for three successive regular meetings, unless excused by vote of the Board, he or she shall cease to be a member and the office shall be deemed vacant. (Charter 1960, C4.17; amended May 19, 1959; Ord. No. 428-02, § 1, 6-3-02, elec. 8-13-02; Ord. No. 659-02, § 1, 8-26-02, elec. 11-5-02)

Denver City Charter, art. X, § 10.1.5 General powers.

§ 10.1.5 - General powers. The Board shall have and exercise all the powers of the City and County of Denver including those granted by the Constitution and by the law of the State of Colorado and by the Charter in regard to purchasing, condemning and purchasing, acquiring, constructing, leasing, extending and adding to, maintaining, conducting and operating a water works system and plant for all uses and purposes, and everything necessary, pertaining or incidental thereto, including authority to dispose of real or personal property not useful for or required in the water works operation. The Board shall have authority to generate and dispose of electric energy for water works purposes or any other purpose of the City and County of Denver. The Board may lease water facilities or the flow of water for generation of electric energy and may sell surplus energy, provided that nothing herein shall be construed as permitting the Board to distribute electric energy to the general public. The Board shall have power in the name of the City and County of Denver to make and execute contracts, take and give instruments of conveyance, and do all other things necessary or incidental to the powers herein granted, and in so doing may make such special designation in such instruments as will indicate the capacity in which the City and County of Denver is acting when such actions are taken by or on behalf of the Board of Water Commissioners. The customary practice of dealing in the name of "City and County of Denver, acting by and through its Board of Water Commissioners" is hereby confirmed and approved. The Board shall institute and defend all litigation affecting its powers and duties, the water works system and plant, and any of the Board's property and rights. In any matter affecting the powers, duties, properties, or trusts of the Board, process shall be served on the Board. The Manager of Denver Water is hereby designated as the officer upon whom process may be served in any matter in which the Board of Water Commissioners has the sole authority for the municipal corporation. (Charter 1960, C4.18; amended May 19, 1959; Ord. No. 428-02, § 1, 6-3-02, elec. 8-13-02)

Denver City Charter, art. X, § 10.1.6 Manager and personnel.

§ 10.1.6 - Manager and personnel. The property and personnel under control of the Board shall be referred to generally as Denver Water. The Board shall designate a Manager, who shall cause the Board's policies and orders to be executed and shall bring to the Board's attention matters appropriate for its action. The Board shall have power to employ such personnel, including legal staff, as it may deem necessary. The classifications of all such employees shall be fixed by the Board or in accordance with collective bargaining agreements. All such personnel shall be hired and dismissed on the basis of merit or in accordance with collective bargaining agreements. The Board shall define the duties of each of its employees and fix the amount of their compensation except employees whose compensation is set in accordance with collective bargaining agreements. It shall be the duty of the Board to carry out the intent and requirements of Article XX of the Constitution of the State of Colorado with respect to civil service for public utilities and works and to perform the customary functions of a Civil Service Commission with respect to its employees. In performing the functions of a Civil Service Commission, the Board or its designee shall have the power to conduct hearings, administer oaths and issue subpoenas enforceable in the County Court of the City and County of Denver. The Board may establish classifications of employment for persons outside the civil service system who serve solely at the pleasure of the Board except as otherwise provided in a collective bargaining agreement. Such employees shall include the number of temporary employees the Board deems necessary and not more than 2 percent of all regular employees of the Board. (Charter 1960, C4.19; amended May 19, 1959; amended November 3, 1998; Ord. No. 659, § 1, 8-26-02, elec. 11-5-02; Ord. No. 0716-24, § 1, 7-15-24, elec. 11-5-24)

Denver City Charter, art. X, § 10.1.7 Water Works Fund.

§ 10.1.7 - Water Works Fund. There is hereby created a Water Works Fund into which shall be placed all revenues received from the operation of the water works system and plant together with all monies received by the Board from other sources. The Board shall maintain records in compliance with generally accepted accounting principles sufficient for reliance by the Manager of Finance in faithfully accounting for the Water Works Fund. The Board shall promptly deposit all receipts into a bank account in the name of the City and County of Denver acting by and through its Board of Water Commissioners. The Board may invest such funds until they are required for operations of the Board. Monies shall be paid out of the account only upon the authority of the Board and evidenced as required pursuant to procedures established by the Manager of Finance. (Charter 1960, C4.20; amended May 19, 1959; amended August 11, 1992; Ord. No. 659, § 1, 8-26-02, elec. 11-5-02; Ord. No. 582-06, § 1, 8-22-06, elec. 11-7-06)

Denver City Charter, art. X, § 10.1.8 City auditor.

§ 10.1.8. - City auditor. The Auditor of the City and County of Denver shall audit or cause to be audited the accounts of the Board at least annually and make a report of his or her findings to the Council of the City and County of Denver. The Board shall make all of its accounts and records fully available to the Auditor to enable the Auditor to carry forward these duties that shall be performed without interference with the water works function. Unless excepted by the Audit Committee as provided in section 5.2.2(C), the Auditor, or some person designated by him or her, shall countersign and register all bonds and written contracts (with the privilege but without the necessity for keeping copies thereof). The Auditor may authorize the affixing of his or her signature by mechanical means. (Charter 1960, C4.21; amended May 19, 1959; Ord. No. 428-02, § 1, 6-3-02, elec. 8-13-02; Ord. No. 659-02, § 1, 8-26-02, elec. 11-5-02; Ord. No. 582-06, § 1, 8-22-06, elec. 11-7-06)

Denver City Charter, art. X, § 10.1.9 Water rates.

§ 10.1.9 - Water rates. The Board shall fix rates for which water shall be furnished for all purposes within the City and County of Denver, and rates shall be as low as good service will permit. Rates may be sufficient to pay for operation, maintenance, reserves, debt service, additions, extensions, betterments, including those reasonably required for the anticipated growth of the Denver metropolitan area, and to provide for Denver's general welfare. The rates may also be sufficient to provide for the accumulation of reserves for improvements of such magnitude that they cannot be acquired from the surplus revenues of a single year. (Charter 1960, C4.22; amended May 19, 1959)

Denver City Charter, art. X, § 10.1.10 Uniformity of rates.

§ 10.1.10 - Uniformity of rates. Except as herein otherwise specifically provided, rates charged for water furnished for use inside the City limits of the City and County of Denver shall be uniform as far as practicable and so related to the service furnished or the volume of water used as to bring about a fair and equitable distribution among all water users of the total amount to be realized from revenues derived from the sale of water used within the City and County of Denver. No special rate or discount shall be allowed to any property, entity, person or class of persons except as in this Charter specifically provided. (Charter 1960, C4.23; amended May 19, 1959)

Denver City Charter, art. X, § 10.1.11 Enforcement of charges.

§ 10.1.11 - Enforcement of charges. The Board may enforce the payment of any charge by discontinuing service to the premises at which the charge arose without regard to the ownership or occupancy of such premises. (Charter 1960, C4.24; amended May 19, 1959; Ord. No. 659-02, § 1, 8-26-02, elec. 11-5-02)

Denver City Charter, art. X, § 10.1.12 City rates.

§ 10.1.12 - City rates. Commencing January 1, 1960, the Board shall furnish water to the municipal government of the City and County of Denver at rates which shall approximately equal but not exceed the cost of the water furnished, not including items on such rate for debt service, additions, extensions or betterments, but such rate shall not be applicable to agencies or authorities sponsored by or supported by the City and County. The Board shall own, control and operate all water, water rights, structures and facilities of the City and County of Denver pertaining to the Farmers and Gardeners Ditch and the City Ditch. The Board shall furnish water out of the City Ditch or some equivalent source for the use of Denver in City Park and Washington Park, without any charge whatsoever. (Charter 1960, C4.25; amended May 19, 1959)

Denver City Charter, art. X, § 10.1.13 Water leases.

§ 10.1.13 - Water leases. The Board shall have power to lease water and water rights for use outside the territorial limits of the City and County of Denver, but such leases shall provide for limitations of delivery of water to whatever extent may be necessary to enable the Board to provide an adequate supply of water to the people of Denver. Every such lease shall contain terms to secure payment of sufficient money to fully reimburse the people of Denver for the cost of furnishing the water together with an additional amount to be determined by the Board. Sales at amounts less than the above minimum may be made if warranted by economic conditions, but a contract providing for such lesser charge shall not extend for more than one year. (Charter 1960, C4.26; amended May 19, 1959; Ord. No. 659-02, § 1, 8-26-02, elec. 11-5-02)

Denver City Charter, art. X, § 10.1.14 Expenses.

§ 10.1.14 - Expenses. The entire cost of the operation and maintenance of the water works system and plant under the control of the Board shall be paid from monies of the Water Works Fund. The monies and other assets of the Water Works Fund shall not be used for any purpose except for the management, operation and maintenance of the water works system and plant, including additions, extensions and betterments, for recreational opportunities incidental thereto, and for the payment of interest and principal on bonds and other obligations, the proceeds of which were or shall be used for water works purposes. (Charter 1960, C4.27; amended May 19, 1959; amended August 11, 1992; Ord. No. 659-02, § 1, 8-26-02, elec. 11-5-02)

Denver City Charter, art. X, § 10.1.15 Bonded indebtedness.

§ 10.1.15 - Bonded indebtedness. The Board of Water Commissioners in its sole discretion may issue revenue bonds, the proceeds of which shall be placed in the Water Works Fund and expended for water works purposes, for establishing reserves in connection with such bonds or for refunding the principal of and interest on bonds previously issued by the Board. Revenue bonds shall be payable as to interest and principal solely from the net revenues of the Board. The Board shall pledge to pay the principal and interest on such bonds from revenues of the Board, which pledge shall be irrevocable. The bonds so authorized shall be sold and issued by action of the Board and no other ratification or authorization shall be required. The Board shall have power to refund, pay or discharge the principal of any general obligation bond it issued prior to November 5, 2002, when such bond becomes payable, and may use proceeds of a new revenue bond issuance to refund, pay or discharge the general obligation bonds. Existing or future bonds issued by the Board shall continue to be excluded from the determination of any limit upon the indebtedness of the City and County of Denver. (Charter 1960, C4.28; amended May 19, 1959; amended May 17, 1983; amended August 11, 1992; Ord. No. 659-02, § 1, 8-26-02, elec. 11-5-02)

Denver City Charter, art. X, § 10.1.17 Board organization.

§ 10.1.17 - Board organization. The Board shall adopt rules governing its organization, the calling of special meetings and the conduct of its business. A majority of the Board shall constitute a quorum and all action by the Board shall be taken by a majority of the whole Board and not otherwise. (Charter 1960, C4.30; amended May 19, 1959)

Denver City Charter, art. X, § 10.1.18 Rules and regulations.

§ 10.1.18 - Rules and regulations. The Board may adopt rules and regulations with respect to any matter within its jurisdiction as defined by Charter. It may provide for enforcement of its rules and regulations by imposing special charges in an amount reasonably calculated to secure compliance or recompense for water loss, to achieve water conservation and to reimburse the Board for expenses arising out of violation. In addition to any other lawful remedy, enforcement procedure may include refusal to supply water to a property involved. The City and County of Denver by ordinance may supplement Board rules and regulations and provide penalties for the violation of such an ordinance in the same manner as penalties are provided for the violation of other ordinances. Rules adopted by the Board and within its authority shall supersede any conflicting ordinance provision. (Charter 1960, C4.31; amended May 19, 1959; Ord. No. 659-02, § 1, 8-26-02, elec. 11-5-02)

Denver City Charter, art. X, § 10.1.19 Publication of rules and regulations.

§ 10.1.19 - Publication of rules and regulations. Rules and regulations adopted by the Board shall be effective after they shall have remained posted in a conspicuous public place in the principal business office of the Board for a period of fifteen calendar days. Whenever immediate application of a rule or regulation by the Board is necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health or safety, the Board may so declare, and such rule or regulation shall thereupon become effective immediately upon being posted as provided in this section. (Charter 1960, C4.32; amended May 19, 1959; Ord. No. 659-02, § 1, 8-26-02, elec. 11-5-02)

Denver City Charter, art. X, § 10.1.20 Continuity of control of water.

§ 10.1.20 - Continuity of control of water. The Board may make provision for retaining dominion over the water supply under its control through successive uses of such water, such as reuse and exchange. Such dominion shall not be affected by treatment of wastewater produced by use of the water supply. (Charter 1960, C4.33; amended May 19, 1959; Ord. No. 659-02, § 1, 8-26-02, elec. 11-5-02)

Denver City Charter, art. X, § 10.1.22 Conflicting Charter provisions.

§ 10.1.22 - Conflicting Charter provisions. The provisions of this Article X shall supersede any conflicting provision of the Charter existing on May 19, 1959 when this article was adopted. (Charter 1960, C4.35; amended May 19, 1959; Ord. No. 428-02, § 1, 6-3-02, elec. 8-13-02)
Source: City and County of Denver, Revised Municipal Code and Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/co/denver/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TITIHORU_SUBTITLE_BCH_ARTXBOWACOFetched: 10/27/2026

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