Fort Collins Utilities wants to raise water rates 15% in 2027 and another 15% in 2028, and Council makes the call in November. A Fort Collins water rate increase doesn’t change how much water your house uses, but it does make every wasted gallon cost more. If a toilet runs or a pipe seeps behind a wall, now’s a good time to book leak detection and repair before the new prices start.
Quick Answer: The Fort Collins Water Rate Increase in Brief
The City is proposing a 15% water increase in 2027 and again in 2028. For a typical home using 7,000 gallons a month, the water bill would go from $49.46 to $56.88. Nothing is final until Council votes in November, and approved rates usually take effect in January. Fixing leaks and swapping out old toilets are the fastest ways to soften the hit.
What the City Is Proposing for 2027 and 2028
The proposed water increase comes mostly from capital projects, per the City of Fort Collins. The biggest is the Halligan Water Supply Project, along with ongoing replacement of more than 600 miles of aging water mains. A household that gets all four Utilities services could see its total bill rise about 9.3% in 2027, or just under $19 a month.
Two things to keep in mind:
- It’s still a proposal. The City says there won’t be a final decision until November.
- It only covers City customers. Parts of the area get water from other providers with their own rates, such as the Fort Collins-Loveland Water District, so check who’s on your bill before you do the math.
How the Fort Collins Water Rate Increase Hits a Leaky Home
A rate increase costs a house with a leak more than it costs a tight one. A leak never takes a day off, so the waste keeps adding up on every bill.
Tiered Pricing Makes Extra Gallons Pricier
Single-family homes pay a base charge plus three tiers, and water costs more per gallon as use goes up. Once you pass the Tier 1 threshold, every extra gallon bills at the Tier 2 rate, then Tier 3 above 13,000 gallons. A leak adds gallons to the top of your bill, which is the most expensive part of it.
Where the Waste Usually Hides
Fort Collins Utilities says toilets and irrigation systems cause the most leaks. The EPA estimates that household leaks waste more than 9,300 gallons a year in an average home, and that 9% of homes have leaks wasting 50 gallons or more a day. For those homes, that’s about 1,500 gallons a month, and in an average-use home, most of it lands in the higher tiers.
The usual suspects:
- A worn toilet flapper that lets the tank run into the bowl
- A dripping faucet or showerhead
- A supply line, drain line, or fixture leaking inside a wall or under a slab
If your bill has already crept up, our guide to hidden water leak signs walks through what to look and listen for.
What Most Coverage Misses: A Winter Leak Sets Your Sewer Bill for a Year
Most rate coverage stops at the water line. Wastewater is where a leak gets expensive. Fort Collins bills wastewater volume on your average water use from December, January, and February. That average is calculated each April and applies to your bills until the following April.
So a toilet that runs all winter doesn’t just raise three water bills. It can raise your sewer charge for twelve months. If you had a leak during those months and fixed it, the City lets you request a leak-adjusted average, but you have 60 days after recalculation to send documentation, such as the repair bill. Keep the invoice.
Here’s the timing that works:
- Before December: check for leaks so the winter average reflects normal use.
- In winter: do a dye test. The City suggests a few drops of food coloring in the tank and a 15 to 30-minute wait.
- After any repair: save the paperwork in case you need the adjustment.
Upgrades That Pay You Back
Toilets use nearly 30% of the water inside a home, and replacing old toilets with WaterSense models can save the average family nearly 13,000 gallons a year, per the EPA’s toilet guidance. The City’s MyWater portal tracks your use and can send high-use alerts, which is often the first sign of a hidden leak.
Rugged Ridge handles toilet and fixture upgrades with our licensed master plumber, and every fixture gets checked under real water pressure before we leave. If you aren’t sure where to start, a whole-home plumbing inspection includes a fixture-by-fixture leak check and shutoff valve testing. Then we sort what we find into what needs attention now, what to plan for, and what to watch.
Final Thoughts on the Fort Collins Water Rate Increase
The Fort Collins water rate increase isn’t final, but a 15% jump two years in a row is worth planning for now. Fix leaks before December, look at replacing old toilets, and keep your repair receipts. The cheapest gallon is the one that never runs down the drain.
Rugged Ridge’s leak work is led by Brad Loper, a Colorado master plumber, and we isolate the source before we open a wall or slab. For larger repiping jobs, Wisetack financing is available. When you’re ready, request a free quote and we’ll find out where your water is going.
