If you’ve ever wondered why your utilities come from different places, you’re not alone. Many customers ask why they get one bill for water, another for wastewater, another for electricity and yet another for trash. Others are surprised to learn that even though they live in Fort Collins or Loveland, their water provider is not the city but the Fort Collins-Loveland Water District (FCLWD).
The short answer is that northern Colorado has grown in ways no one could have imagined in the early 1960s. To understand why there are so many water and utility providers in northern Colorado, it helps to step back and consider what the area looked like when FCLWD was founded.
TL;DR Summary
- At the time of our founding in 1961, our service area looked dramatically different, without the urban sprawl we see today. FCLWD was formed to bring treated water to homes and businesses on the fringes of town where there was no water service.
- Water in northern Colorado is provided by a mix of municipalities and special districts like FCLWD, and the same is true of other utilities, although other utilities might also be provided by private companies.
- As the District continues to grow, we will continue to fulfill our mission of providing sustainable, high quality, secure, reliable and cost effective water.
What Water Service Looked Like in 1961
When FCLWD was founded in 1961, northern Colorado looked very different than it does today. There was no development between Fort Collins and Loveland. Fort Collins had about 25,000 people and ended at Horsetooth Road. Loveland had just under 10,000 residents. Timnath, now one of the fastest growing communities in the country, was home to only about 150 people.
In the open space between these towns, there were no water lines, no municipal services and no way to consistently access treated drinking water. Families relied on cisterns, hauled water or pumped limited amounts from the ground. If people wanted to build homes in the area between cities and towns, they needed a reliable water source.
That’s where FCLWD came in. A group of founders saw the need for a new water provider that could serve the rural and developing areas between Fort Collins and Loveland. They formed the District in 1961 with one goal: bring safe, reliable water to customers who otherwise had no way to access it.
George Holter, who served on the FCLWD Board for more than 45 years, often spoke about the early days of the District. He remembered a time when there were only 600 taps available in the entire service area. George helped guide the District through decades of growth and change, and much of what exists today was shaped by the work he and his peers did during those early years. You can read more about George’s contributions in a past blog post.
How Northern Colorado Grew Around Us
Fast forward to today, and the populations tell a very different story. Fort Collins now has more than 171,000 residents. Loveland has grown to more than 81,000. Timnath has transformed from 150 people to more than 10,800.
This rapid growth happened in waves, and while municipal boundaries expanded, the water and wastewater systems already in place did not change. Water providers like FCLWD continued serving their existing areas, even as cities expanded around them.
This is why someone can live inside Fort Collins city limits and still receive water from FCLWD. The same is true for parts of Loveland. It can feel confusing if you assume every service comes from the city, but the truth is, the city infrastructure did not originally extend into the areas that are now highly developed.
Over time, the region filled in. What was once open space between two towns is now home to neighborhoods, schools and businesses. The water providers that existed first remain the providers today.
Why Are There So Many Providers?
Northern Colorado’s utility landscape reflects its history. Water is delivered by a mix of municipal utilities and Title 32 special districts, each serving areas based on when and where infrastructure was built. Providers are not in competition with one another. They simply serve the areas they were created to support.
FCLWD began because there was no other entity providing water to people between Fort Collins and Loveland. Other districts formed in similar ways across the region, filling gaps where cities were not yet ready or able to extend service.
Special districts like FCLWD continue to operate because they have the infrastructure, water rights and long-term planning necessary to reliably serve their communities. We work closely with cities and other districts to make sure the region’s water needs are met.
Why Water and Wastewater Are Separate
Another common question is why water and wastewater bills come from different providers. Water and wastewater are completely different systems, with different pipes, treatment facilities, regulations and costs. In fact, most growing regions operate this way.
You might get drinking water from FCLWD, wastewater service from South Fort Collins Sanitation District, gas from Xcel Energy and trash pickup from a private company like Republic Services. These services were developed independently based on geography, infrastructure and community needs. It’s normal for utilities to come from different providers.
So Who Is My Water Provider?
If you’re reading this blog, chances are you’re an FCLWD customer. The easiest way to tell is by checking your bill. If it says Fort Collins-Loveland Water District, we’re your provider.
Your water provider is determined by where your home or business is located within regional service area boundaries. These boundaries often date back decades and do not necessarily match city limits.
If you’re ever unsure who to call about a water issue, check your most recent bill or reach out to our customer service team at (970) 226-3104. We’re always happy to help you figure it out.
Looking Ahead
Northern Colorado will continue to grow, just as it has for the last 60 years. As it does, FCLWD will continue planning ahead, investing in reliable water supplies and supporting the communities we serve.
Understanding why there are so many water providers helps explain today’s utility landscape, but it also highlights an important point: Every provider plays a role in keeping our region running and each one is committed to delivering essential services with care.
And no matter how much the region changes, our commitment remains the same: delivering sustainable, high-quality, secure, reliable and cost-effective water to the people and businesses we serve.
