UHNA Community Meeting | June 10, 2026

Attendees: [See attendance list]

Call to Order: Linda, Kristin seconded

Approval of Last Months Mins: 

Treasurer’s Report: $4445.15 + Shining Lotus Check ($250)

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Updates:

Kathy’s Colorado Preservation Inc. sponsorship request

• Would like to host an informational table at a food truck night

• Membership level suggested for Legacy Colorado families where they are invited and are given a shoutout

August 7th Food truck night is during Denver days. This could be something to highlight.

Dumpster Day Planning

Upcoming UHNA Events: 

• June 12, 5:00 to 8:00 PM 

• June 26, 5:00 to 8:00 PM 

• July 10, 5:00 to 8:00 PM 

• July 24, 5:00 to 8:00 PM 

• August 7, 5:00 to 8:00 PM 

• August 21, 5:00 to 8:00 PM 

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Guest Speakers:

Gia Lombardi w/ Denver Water:

Lawn Watering Restrictions-

• Handwatering is permitted, encouraged to keep in suggested hours

• Spray irrigation is the main subject of restrictions

• Stage 2 Drought would include outdoor watering, with sports fields excepted

• Stage 3 (Extreme) would require water rationing.

• Schools, parks, and golf courses are under a water budget 

• They are asked to reduce their average water consumption by 20%. 

• Any excess would be charged 2x rate.

• Use is calculated by meter.

• Many properties are utilizing recycled water, rather than a connection to the city.

• Violations can be reported through the contact provided, communicating the rules and info to the reported’s home.

Colorado River Compact Agreement-

• 80% percent of our water is pumped from across the continental divide

• Highest water use is from agriculture. 

• 2% of state water use is Denver.

Data Centers, Infrastructure, & Regulations-

• 1 year moratorium on Data Centers being built in Denver while Denver City and County determines planning and policy.

• Denver Water is legally obligated to provide water to any client who buys into their system, meaning they cannot discriminate despite volume of use. Updating system development charges to take into account Data Centers. Information on water use [by Data Centers] cannot be disclosed by Denver Water. 

• Data Centers can currently elect to their own use systems (Closed-loop systems).

• Denver Water does have a water recycling plant, but infrastructure must be built for it (purple pipe), 

• It is very difficult to build new pipes alongside existing infrastructure.

• Main replacement map progress request.

• Rain barrels for residents are permitted (120gal)

• Rain harvesting classes offered locally

Xcel 2026 Franchise Agreement Public Discussion: 

Together Colorado (Non-Profit Community Advocacy Organization):

• Together Colorado are looking to include RNO’s in the organization.

• Pushed to reject last year’s Xcel franchise agreement in favor of more concessions for the public.

• Currently proposed agreement comes from rate-payers, shareholders are not paying from pocket.

• Xcel made $800 mil last year from Denver payers in profits

• Negotiating for more Energy reliability and information transparency from Xcel

• 9.9% Increase in energy rates was proposed by Xcel prior to revision by Colorado Public Utilities Commission 

• When power was shut off in Golden last year, est. $27,000 in revenue was lost, affecting businesses severely.

• Councilwoman Amanda Sawyer, District 6, experienced power poles taking 5 years to be replaced.

• More money should go into resilience projects.

• Pilot project in Maplewood- anyone with a medical device was provided with solar panel, battery, refrigerator. Placed solar panel on their community building and a heater, sleep if needed, plug in devices.

• In favor of instating regular audits on Xcel’s promises.

• Proposed companion agreement would include funding for energy-resiliency pilot projects for a 20 year timeline.

• State legislature for personal Solar energy panel connected for personal devices w/o a patio.

• Proposed companion agreement would include Graduated rate fees for people with lower incomes

• Asking for 5 mil from shareholders w/ a 3% increase every year for 20 years to adjust for inflation

• Exit ramps- Cities and municipalities have the agency to move energy infrastructure into the hands of the public.

• Platte River Power Authority serves as an example of public utility ownership 

• Public comment sessions, will go before the city council on the 30th, 

• If voters do not approve, service remains the same, but without any additional benefits.

• Together Colorado advocates for greater bargaining power over the use of utility service budget

• Writing to Mayor and City Council is encouraged

SE2 (Marketing & Communications Agency):

• Franchise Agreement does not impact your energy bill.

• The Franchise Agreement is a contract between Xcel and City and County of Denver that is renewed every 20 years.

• The Agreement is going to city council this summer to be sent to the ballot this fall.

• If it expires without a new contract, Xcel will remain the energy provider, rates will still be regulated by Public Utility Comission.

• Denver’s Climate Action Plan will also influence how much energy comes from renewable power source. 

• Allows Xcel to access rights-of-way (roads, paths, areas behind homes)

• City of Denver currently gets $10 mil for power-line burial to improve reliability.

• $30 mil to allocated to the city's general fund.

• When Denver makes infrastructural improvements, Xcel pays to move its own lines to accommodate the infrastructure. 

• Denver Energy Partnership Agreement is an additional set of terms that has not yet been finalized. Ambient loop, recuperating heat energy from passive systems.

• Burial funds tend to go to high-priority lines, serving higher volumes of people.

• Mayor’s working group is made up of 20 people, including city council-members, working to provide mediation and consideration to the proposal.