The NoCo Herald

Larimer and Weld counties, Colorado

Clear, 54° in Greeley at 4:25 PM. Forecast high 59, low 37.

Greeley

Greeley renews reservoir caretaker lease starting at $5,000 yearly

·Greeley·Weld County

From the Greeley Water and Sewer Board meeting of

The 10-year agreement covers continued use of city-owned structures on 2.44 acres. Rent increases after five years to $5,250 or more, depending on the Consumer Price Index.

The Greeley Water and Sewer Board approved a 10-year lease renewal for the Milton Seaman Reservoir caretaker-house property. Annual rent starts at $5,000. After five years, it rises to $5,250 or higher based on the Consumer Price Index.

The State Land Board lease covers 2.44 acres at the caretaker-house property. The existing lease expires Nov. 1 and covers continued use of city-owned structures. The city has built and maintained the house.

Staff described Milton Seaman as the city’s largest and most heavily operated reservoir, able to deliver water directly to the Bellevue plant in probably five hours or less, depending on need. It is an in-stream reservoir on the North Fork of the Poudre River and receives constant inflows. Depending on the season and conditions, the caretaker may adjust its gates once or twice a day.

“Any chance we could get 15 or 20 years on the lease?” the chairman asked, citing the substantial investment at the site. A staff member said the State Land Board prefers standard leases. The staff member said a longer term would be discussed with the State Land Board’s regional land manager and raised at the next renewal.

More from this meeting

  1. Greeley Water and Sewer Board, Oct. 21, 2026

    Greeley raises Amrize water lease to 32 acre-feet a year; Greeley renews reservoir caretaker lease starting at $5,000 yearly; Greeley working on 175 planned lead and copper replacements.

  2. Item 5Greeley raises Amrize water lease to 32 acre-feet a year

    The lease costs $1,475 per acre-foot, with annual increases tied to the consumer price index. Its initial term runs through 2028, followed by two five-year renewal terms.

  3. Item 7Greeley working on 175 planned lead and copper replacements

    Phase 4 replacements are expected to finish by the end of the year. Final potholing is also expected to wrap up then, with any replacements identified in that phase planned for 2027; the loan-financed project totals $14 million.

  4. Item 8Staff expect Greeley’s $50 million wastewater upgrades to finish in November 2027

    The plant has continued operating during construction. The work adds backup power, new pumps that bring wastewater in and side-stream treatment processes addressing phosphorus and nitrogen.

  5. Item 10Greeley prepares pipeline work as $8.6 million grant reaches state

    The city plans to prepare procurement and federal grant paperwork by year-end, select a contractor and order long-lead materials. Construction could begin around May 2027.