Utilities Department
Reference: Metro Water Recovery Request for Determination of Service
To: Mayor Gregory Mills and Members of City Council
Through: Michael P. Martinez, City Manager
Prepared By: Scott Olsen, Director of Utilities
Date Prepared: January 21, 2026
PURPOSE
Requesting City Council approval of a resolution authorizing the City Manager to sign and submit a Request for Determination of Service to Metro Water Recovery (Metro) in order for Metro to determine the feasibility of expanding the service area to the entirety of the City of Brighton’s wastewater service area.
BACKGROUND
Currently, the City of Brighton wastewater is treated by two wastewater treatment providers: Metro Water Recovery and the Town of Lochbuie. Please see the attached map for the boundaries of these wastewater districts’ service areas and Brighton’s wastewater service area. Metro Water Recovery is a wastewater or sewage disposal district that serves multiple jurisdictions within its service area. Any municipality is eligible for inclusion in the service area if the district and the city consent.
The Town of Lochbuie wastewater plant serves the northeast portion of the City of Brighton, and the plant has reached its maximum capacity. The Town of Lochbuie Sewer Board has been considering its options for expansion of the plant, which would be a very expensive endeavor. As a part of the discussions, the City of Brighton began looking at other options, and one of those is to connect the City of Brighton customers to the Metro wastewater service.
The City of Brighton wants to request that Metro determine the feasibility of treating wastewater flows historically treated by the Town of Lochbuie’s Wastewater Treatment Plant by Metro. Per Colorado Revised Statute §32-4-513, this is the first step in determining if a municipality may feasibly be served by Metro district’s facilities, and must be requested to begin consideration of a change in wastewater treatment providers
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no financial impact associated with this Request for Determination of Service.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
City staff recommend approval of the resolution as drafted, authorizing the City Manager to sign and submit the Request for Determination of Service to Metro Water Recovery.
OPTIONS FOR COUNCIL CONSIDERATION
• Approve resolution as drafted
• Approve a modified resolution
• Deny the resolution
• Provide further direction to staff
ATTACHMENTS
• Resolution
• DRAFT Request for Determination of Service Letter
• Brighton’s wastewater service area/sewershed map