Agenda Date: 08/11/2026
Subject:
Title
South Platte Renew Governance Model Options Analysis
Body
From:
James L. Becklenberg, City Manager
Prepared by:
Brent Soderlin, Director of Public Works & Utilities
Reid Betzing, City Attorney
Presentations:
Pieter Van Ry, Director, South Platte Renew
PURPOSE:
Study Session to discuss the South Platte Renew (SPR) governance analysis conducted by the engineering firm Hazen in conjunction with the legal firm Cockrel Ela Glesne Greher & Ruhland, P.C. (CEGR Law) at the direction of Littleton and Englewood City Councils. This analysis is a continuation of the 2021 analysis by FCS Group initiated by the City of Littleton, presented to both Littleton and Englewood Councils in 2022. The foundational materials from 2021 and 2022 are attached for Council's reference.
LONG-TERM OUTCOME(S) SERVED:
Sustainable Community with Natural Beauty; Safe Community; High-Quality Governance
DISCUSSION:
In the initial analysis, FCS Group identified six (6) conceptual models for ownership transfer. Four (4) models involving formation of a Special District, one (1) model involving merger with the Metropolitan Wastewater Reclamation District (now Metro Water Recovery), and one (1) model of selling Littleton's interest to a private buyer. The findings of the FCS Group's analysis concluded that the favorable approach would be to pursue a new Special District.
After receiving direction from both Cities to continue the SPR governance analysis, SPR contracted Hazen, who performed an organizational and financial analysis of alternative SPR governance models. Through this analysis, Hazen identified another viable option: formation of an Authority. Hazen's analysis explored the organizational and financial impacts of creating an Authority, which they presented to the Supervisory Committee in Executive Session in January and March of 2025.
The Supervisory Committee subsequently requested SPR continue the analysis, with specific emphasis on the l...
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