Fort Lupton's wastewater plant
file/Belen Ward
Fort Lupton City Council approved a loan of no more than $25 million from the Colorado Water Resources and Power Development Authority for tap fees, part of planned wastewater treatment plant upgrades.
The unanimous vote came during a regular meeting on Nov. 29. There was no discussion.
Councilors also declared an emergency because of limited access to low- or no-interest loans for the project.
The interest rate is 2.75 percent. The money to pay off the loan comes from revenues from the city’s wastewater utility fund.
Potential liquor tax
Fifty dollars.
That’s the proposed amount of a new tax/fee for Fort Lupton liquor stores, brew pubs, lodging and entertainment venues and any places that serve beer and wine.
It’s the first such increase in almost 12 years.
“It’s a fee for those doing business with liquor sales,” City Clerk Mari Pena told Fort Lupton City Council during a Nov. 29 town hall. “Other municipalities range up to $1,000. We’re still on the lower end. I think with $50, we’d be OK for next year.”
She promised a review later in 2023.
Council made no decision because it was in a town-hall meeting format.
No marijuana grow operations
Fort Lupton voters narrowly turned down a ballot issue for a tax on retail marijuana in November. The margin was 37 votes, according to the Weld County Clerk and Recorder’s Office website.
As such, the council wasn’t inclined to pursue potential marijuana grow operations.
“We still get revenue from what the state collects,” Mayor Zo Hubbard said. ‘It wouldn’t be much.”
“I’m not a fan of grow operations,” said Councilman Claud Hanes.
“The citizens spoke,” added Councilman David Crespin.
“The people I spoke to thought it was a tax,” Hubbard said. “We’re done with that.”
Back to square 1
The fifth filing of the Coyote Creek planned unit development – across from Aims Community College -- is off the table, for now.
“There are enough changes that they will have to start over,” planning director Todd Hodges told the council. “You’ll see it again.”
The original proposal called for 61 detached single-family homes and open space.
