Responsible Water Now - Lakewood, Colorado

The Responsible Water Now Pledge

In semi-arid Colorado water supplies fluctuate and are periodically scarce. New developments put additional strains on existing water supplies. Current customers should NOT be forced to reduce water use to accommodate new development.

Responsible Water Now is committed to managing new water taps to ensure there is sufficient supply for existing customers. We are also committed to water conservation and economic efficiency to keep water rates low.

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DISCLAIMER / CLARIFICATION - Responsible Water Now is NOT associated or affiliated with a campaign group, using this same name, that attempted to recall three then-members (Morgan, Baker & Plotkin) of the Green Mtn. Water District Board of Directors in 2022.

Welcome to Responsible Water Now.

Intro - Importance of Water in Green Mountain

Geographically the Colorado Front Range is considered semi-arid. Modern American civilization depends upon efficient water management to support the growing population that calls Lakewood home.

As a result, it is necessary for local water districts to be conservative in their use of limited water supplies. Since ALL of Green Mountain Water and Sanitation District (GMWSD)’s water comes from Denver Water, we do NOT control our acquisition of water. All GMWSD can do is to conserve and use the water it receives wisely and responsibly. This conservation effort comes in two principle forms: (1) use water efficiently by avoiding waste, and (2) avoid taking on too many new obligations and responsibilities.

While there seems to be no limit to the number of new people who want to come and live here, we can not provide water for an unlimited number of newcomers. For example if each current customer was to reduce their water consumption by half, those savings would be exhausted if the population doubles. Therefore managing future water consumption requires responsible management.

Listen to Introduction CLICK ARROW

Election: May 6th 2025

The next regular election of the Green Mountain Water and Sanitation District will be held on May 6th 2025, electors of the District will vote to fill 4 seats on the Board of Directors. Three 4 year seats and one, 2 year seat.

Dave Wiechman

Current Position: Vice President

Term: Elected May, 2022 /Term expires May, 2025 /Eligible for re-election.

Arthur Martinez

Current Position: Arthur Martinez

Term: Appointed June, 2024 /Term expires May, 2025 /Eligible for re-election.

Randy Little

Current Position: SecretaryTerm: Appointed May, 2024 /Term expires May, 2025 /Eligible for re-election.

ABOUT Green Mountain Water & Sanitation District

Green Mountain Water and Sanitation District (GMWSD or District) is a quasi-municipal corporation and political subdivision, located wholly within the City of Lakewood.

As a master-meter distributor, GMWSD purchases water for the District from the Denver Board of Water Commissioners (Denver Water) and is connected to Metro Wastewater Reclamation District Number One (Metro Wastewater) for wastewater treatment services for the District. The District provides water and sewer service to approximately 18,500 single-families, residential equivalent taps, with a service area of approximately 9 square miles.

The GMWSD has a Master Meter Contract with Denver Water which provides that water is purchased by the District wholesale from Denver Water and is measured through metering stations within the District. GMWSD has a Special Connectors Agreement with the Metro Wastewater. The District pays Metro Wastewater annual charges based on flows and strength of flows measured at various metering stations. The District is debt-free and does not collect property taxes. GMWSD currently relies on revenue received from water and sewer user fees to fund District operations.

The District Manager reports to the Board of Directors (BOD) which consists of 5 elected Directors. The District Manager supervises a staff of 22 employees, with 4 direct reports including both Field and Office personnel.

The elected members of the Board of Directors are responsible for ensuring the distribution of water and the removal of sewer are performed efficiently and safely every day for all our customers.

GMWSD manages hundreds of miles of underground pipelines, pumps and reservoirs. These facilities are now decades old and reaching the end of their useful life. This will require that aging facilities be replaced in the next few years.

GMWSD Governance - Upcoming Board Election

On Tuesday, May 6, 2025, GMWSD is holding its regular bi-annual election of members to the Board of Directors. This year there will be four seats up for election - three seats will be for a four-year term and the fourth seat (to fill a vacancy) will be for a two-year term. There are a total of six candidates running for four seats.

One of the tools the Board uses to manage district operations, replace aging infrastructure and keep costs to our customers reasonable is to make sure that new development is “paying its own way”. The members of the Responsible Water Now group believe developers should be charged “tap fees” or system development fees that are high enough to fully fund new customers. Our group is committed to making sure current customers are NOT assessed higher fees in order to subsidize new development.

Responsible Water Now is recommending the following (4) candidates who are committed to responsibly managing our future growth. These four candidates will be conservative in the management of the district and will not be taking on more new customers than GMWSD can efficiently handle.

Three of RWN's candidates are current board incumbents:

David Wiechman - Vice President

Randy Little - Secretary

Arthur Martinez - At large member

In addition to returning three incumbents, Responsible Water Now recommends a new member - Phil Hardinger.

A bio, resume, picture and statement for each of the four candidates is listed below

Incumbents

David Wiechman (ballot position #2)

Arthur Martinez (ballot position #3)

Randy Little (ballot position #6 - go to the end of the list)

New Candidate

Phil Hardinger (ballot position #1)

Phil Hardinger

New Candidate/Eligible to run for election