City of Westminster

City of Westminster Municipal Water Report Info

Westminster spans 34 square miles with areas showcasing historical architecture dating back to the 1870s. Learn about the city's landmark program and the agricultural regions that preceded urban development. The Westminster Historical Society has documented the city's evolution over the past century.

Prior to the 1850s, the area now known as Westminster was home to buffalo and antelope herds, with small marshy lakes dotting the landscape. Evidence suggests Arapahoe Indians maintained a semi-permanent camp near Gregory Hill.

Before 1955, Westminster relied exclusively on groundwater wells. The 1950s population boom strained water supplies, prompting the city to attempt purchasing water from Denver, though Westminster fell outside Denver Water Board's service boundary or "blue line." The city acquired surface water rights including the Kershaw Ditch and shares in the Farmer's Highline Canal, and constructed the England water treatment plant in 1956.

In 1957, Westminster signed a 25-year contract with Northwest Water Corporation for well water. By 1959, the treatment plant capacity was doubled to meet growing demand. Water quality issues with the Kershaw Ditch water emerged in the early 1960s, creating supply challenges. In 1962, the city acquired Coal Creek water rights and planned construction of Twin Lakes reservoir.

The "Long Hot Summer of 1962" brought extreme weather conditions that forced Westminster to use the "safe but stinky" Kershaw Ditch water to meet demand. This culminated in the "Mother's March on City Hall" where housewives protested for safer water. A citizens committee demanded Westminster stop using ditch water, halt building permits, ban lawn watering, and secure water from Denver.

The Denver Water Board demanded Westminster surrender its water supply as a condition for service. City leaders refused, believing they had invested too much in their water infrastructure. After months of negotiations, Westminster reached an agreement with Farmer's Reservoir and Irrigation Company (FRICO) in January 1963 to raise Standley Lake Dam to hold an additional 24,000 acre-feet of water.

By 1965, Westminster had abundant water and amended its City Charter to allow water sales outside city limits. Semper Water Treatment Facility was built in 1969 to process 6 million gallons daily, and after four expansions now treats 44 million gallons per day.

The 1970s saw renewed water challenges as nearby Thornton moved to condemn water rights belonging to FRICO. Westminster filed its own condemnation suits to protect its future water supply. Meanwhile, Northglenn sought to create its own water system separate from Thornton. These disputes between the four entities with interests in Standley Lake were ultimately resolved through a landmark four-way agreement in 1979, establishing cooperation between suburban and municipal communities.