History of Broomfield and Utility Infrastructure Development

This history provides context regarding decisions as the city developed from a rural town to a thriving suburban community. The focus was on securing and investing in transformational developments while keeping residents' taxes and fees as low as possible.

1961-1997

Broomfield was incorporated as a city in 1961, with a population of 6,500 and an area of 1.5 square miles. In the 1970s and 1980s, Broomfield grew significantly with the annexation of the Northmoor subdivision and the development of the Greenway Park, Lac Amora, Westlake Village, Highland Park and Columbine Meadows subdivisions. The 1990s brought significant retail and office development in southwest Broomfield with the development of the Interlocken Business Park and the completion of the 96th Street/US 36 Interchange as the catalysts.

During this time, Broomfield had two drinking water sources: Great Western Reservoir, which is downstream of Rocky Flats, and Denver Water, which was delivered to Broomfield through Conduit 81. 

1997-2000

Through extensive lobbying and federal legislation, Broomfield obtained a grant from the Department of Energy to sever the physical connection between Rocky Flats and Broomfield’s drinking water supply by building a new water treatment plant and the Carter Lake Pipeline, as well as acquiring Colorado-Big Thompson (C-BT) and Windy Gap water shares. The new water treatment plant on 144th Avenue was brought online in August 1997.

During this time, Broomfield profited from rapid, “world-class” development. In August 2000, the Flatiron Crossing Mall opened, dramatically increasing sales tax revenue and future revenue potential for Broomfield.

2001-2012

Arguably, Broomfield’s crowning achievement was the passage of Referendum C in November 1998, which allowed Broomfield to pursue becoming a city and county. In November 2001, Broomfield became a city and county and was empowered to control the county portion of tax revenues. At that time, a pledge was made to Broomfield residents that a combined city and county would operate more efficiently and cost-effectively than if Broomfield had remained in four separate counties. Broomfield leadership was very invested in keeping that pledge with a “do more with less” lean government philosophy and identity.

The Federal Clean Water Act began to focus on urban stormwater runoff by requiring communities to obtain a National Pollution Discharge Elimination System Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System permit (NPDES MS4) from the State for stormwater discharges. Broomfield was required to comply by March 2003. To offset the cost of stormwater maintenance and other requirements of the NPDES permit, the Broomfield City Council considered the creation of a stormwater utility enterprise fund. The council rejected forming a stormwater utility in 2004 and opted to continue to fund operation and maintenance activities through the General and Sewer Funds and capital projects through the Capital Improvement Program. Most Front Range communities had already established a stormwater utility fee by 2003.

Broomfield continued to grow, and significant infrastructure was constructed for the Arista, Anthem and Anthem Highlands subdivisions. During this time, much of Broomfield’s utility infrastructure was reasonably new, and in keeping with the lean government spending philosophy, preventative maintenance (capital and staffing) was budgeted at the bare minimum. Broomfield's map (here in 2005) changed dramatically in this time period,

The Great Recession from 2008 to mid-2009 enforced a lean government spending philosophy. The number of employees dropped during the recession and wasn’t restored to pre-2008 levels until recently. Meanwhile, the population skyrocketed and the amount of infrastructure to support the population increased, but not at a corresponding level. Due to the low maintenance funding and staffing levels, Broomfield Public Works staff could only react to infrastructure problems as they arose, thus creating a “run to fail” philosophy of operation.  

2013-2019

The North Area Lift Station, located just north of CO 7 and west of I-25, was completed in 2013. This sanitary sewer lift station allowed development east of Sheridan Parkway and north of 160th Avenue, including the Highlands, Palisade Park and Baseline subdivisions. During this time, build-out population projections were increased from 83,300 as initially anticipated in the 2005 Comprehensive Plan to 95,500 in the 2016 Comprehensive Plan Update.

Broomfield’s infrastructure continued to increase while the maintenance and staffing funding levels remained relatively static.  

2020-2023

Change in leadership brought much-needed attention to planning for the future. 

By 2020, Broomfield had a population of approximately 73,739 people, significantly higher than those estimated to reside in Broomfield in 2020 per the 1995 Broomfield Master Plan (46,700 people). 

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic caused economic instability and added further pressure to keep costs low. Meanwhile, profound inflation and supply chain issues affected capital projects. Large utility projects were delayed, including the Mesa Zone Water Booster Station and the Siena Reservoir Pump Station and Pipeline.

2024 - Current Status and Utility Rates

Based on Broomfield’s efforts to diversify housing and incorporate housing density within mixed-use areas, staff is now projecting a population of approximately 125,000 by 2050.