Cheyenne's Stormwater Fee Is Gone — But the Problem Isn't. Here's What Comes Next.
- 6 days ago
- 2 min read
The fee is gone. The problem it was meant to solve is not.
In March, the Cheyenne City Council voted 7-3 to repeal its stormwater runoff management fee — a dedicated funding structure adopted in December 2024 that never fully went into effect. The repeal was a good faith gesture to state legislators, who asked the city to step back while the Legislature studies the issue during its interim period.
That interim process begins May 7. Here's what Cheyenne businesses need to know.
Why This Issue Matters Locally
Cheyenne's stormwater system includes 135 miles of storm sewer drainage pipes, 25 miles of open channels and creeks, and hundreds of detention ponds. That infrastructure requires ongoing maintenance and capital investment — and right now there is no dedicated funding stream to pay for it.
This is not a hypothetical risk. The 1985 Cheyenne flood resulted in 12 deaths, 70 injuries, and more than $61 million in damages. Inadequate drainage infrastructure affects property, operations, and the roads customers and employees depend on every day.
What the Fee Would Have Cost Businesses
The repealed fee was based on hard surface area — 24 cents per 100 square feet of impervious surface. For most residential properties that meant under $10 per month. For larger commercial and industrial properties the numbers were significantly higher. That disparity was a real concern for local businesses, and it was heard.
Chamber polling on the broader question showed that businesses generally believe significant revenue increases should go to voters for approval — while also recognizing that a threshold should exist so routine, modest adjustments don't automatically trigger a public vote.
What Happens May 7
The Select Water Committee takes up stormwater infrastructure as its top interim priority on May 7 at 1:30 p.m. at the Wyoming Water Development Office, 6920 Yellowtail Road, Cheyenne. It is item 13 on the agenda. A livestream will be available at wyoleg.gov.
What comes out of that process will shape what funding tools Cheyenne has available going forward — whether that's new legislation, a revised fee framework, or another path entirely.
Our Members Have a Stake in This
Cheyenne businesses were vocal about the fee structure, and that voice mattered. The question now is whether the legislative process delivers a workable solution — one that addresses real infrastructure needs without placing disproportionate costs on the businesses and property owners who make this community run.
We will be following the May 7 meeting and keeping members informed as this process develops.
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