To maintain and enhance high-quality water, wastewater and electric services services, The City of Loveland Utilities in Colorado is issuing tax-exempt bonds to fund critical upgrades to these systems.
The capital improvement projects will be financed across multiple years, ensuring that future as well as current users who benefit from the improvements share the cost, the public power city noted in a July 8 news release.
By securing fixed-interest funding, the city can invest in long-term infrastructure needs while avoiding the rising cost of inflation and unplanned emergency repairs, it said.
Water
Loveland’s water quality remains excellent, but much of the underground infrastructure that delivers it is aging.
The city’s primary focus is to replace outdated water mains to reduce the risks of leaks and corrosion; replace lead service lines; and update operation’s facilities. These upgrades will enhance both the safety and reliability of water service for the entire community.
The cost: $45 million across multiple years, beginning in 2025.
Wastewater
The city’s Water Reclamation Facility will receive the bulk of funding slated for Loveland’s wastewater infrastructure.
Waste flushed from homes and businesses undergoes multiple treatment processes at the facility to ensure that the water returned to the Big Thompson River is clean and safe.
The funding ensures that the facility will have adequate capacity for future growth and meet stricter federal and state discharge regulations to further protect public health and the environment.
The bond will pay to replace aging equipment and repurpose existing systems to meet these new requirements.
The cost: $77.5 million from multiple bonds (2025-2027)
Electric
Future bond funding for Loveland’s power grid is currently in development. Planned projects include the construction of a new substation to enhance energy management, the addition of transformers to improve system capacity and reliability and the conversion of overhead power lines to underground systems.
These upgrades are designed to strengthen the grid and protect critical infrastructure from weather events and other potential service disruptions.
“A strong utility infrastructure is vital to Loveland’s long-term resilience. Through investments in secure, sustainable and reliable water, wastewater and power systems, the City is building a solid foundation for future generations. We remain committed to utility excellence, and are proud to serve the Loveland community,” the city said.
