Southeast Metro Stormwater Authority

What Southeast Metro Stormwater Authority does

Southeast Metro Stormwater Authority (SEMSWA) is a Colorado special district and local government Drainage Authority established in 2006 (with firmographic data listing 2007) and headquartered in Centennial, Colorado. It provides stormwater management, floodplain management, water-quality regulation, and capital improvement services within a service area that comprises the City of Centennial and the unincorporated portion of Arapahoe County west of Coal Creek, serving roughly 100,000+ residents, HOAs, metro districts, businesses, and land developers. The organization holds the MS4 (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System) permit for the service area and acts under intergovernmental agreement with the City of Centennial and Arapahoe County to enforce floodplain regulations and issue development permits.

SEMSWA's core service offering is a single integrated program rather than a modular product platform: (1) stormwater management services including development review, water-quality control measures, and pollution prevention; (2) floodplain management including mapping, regulatory enforcement, and floodplain development permits; (3) water-quality management under MS4 authority including spill reporting, SCM/BMP inspection and maintenance, and an enforcement response plan; (4) a Capital Improvements Program covering flood control, drainage, and stream restoration; and (5) maintenance, master planning, education/outreach, and a customer-facing ArcGIS Open Data portal. Technology is standard public-sector GIS and permitting-portal tooling; no proprietary AI/ML or differentiated platform is evidenced.

The revenue model is a hybrid of assessed fees rather than market-priced contracts: (a) recurring annual stormwater fees on properties in the service area, billed on a subscription-like annual cadence; (b) permit, review, and compliance fees charged per transaction (Floodplain Development Permits, GESC permits, Stormwater Public Improvement Permits, annual permits for utilities/facilities); and (c) one-time system development and excess capacity fees on new development. Distribution is direct through a self-serve customer portal, an in-person service office, and field inspections, with no resellers or third-party channels. Governance is by an appointed Board of Directors with an Executive Director (Dan Olsen), funded entirely through fees and not venture-backed.

Name

Southeast Metro Stormwater Authority

Legal name

Southeast Metro Stormwater Authority

Website

https://semswa.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Southeast Metro Stormwater Authority is a Colorado special district Drainage Authority that provides floodplain, stormwater, and water-quality management services to the City of Centennial and unincorporated Arapahoe County west of Coal Creek.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Stormwater and Floodplain Management Services

NAICS

Water, Sewage and Other Systems (2213), Administration of Environmental Quality Programs (9241)

SIC

Electric, Gas & Sanitary Services (4900), Sanitary Services (4950)

akta.pro primary industry

Stormwater Management & MS4 Compliance Services (BPALAMAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Flood Control & Protection Infrastructure (Levees, Floodwalls, Gates, Pump Stations) (EUANAEAI), Sewer & Stormwater Overflow (SSO/CSO) Emergency Response (EUAIAMAE), Erosion & Sediment Control (Silt Fences, SWPPP Implementation) (IMAFAKAN)

Keywords

• Stormwater management services
• Floodplain management
• Water quality monitoring
• MS4 permit compliance
• Drainage infrastructure maintenance

Headquarters

HQ city

Centennial

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Infrastructure, Personnel, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Stormwater Fees: Annual stormwater fees charged to property owners within the service area for stormwater management services, floodplain management, and infrastructure maintenance.
2. Permit and Review Fees: Fees collected for reviewing development projects, grading permits, floodplain development permits, and other regulatory reviews required for construction in the service area.
3. System Development & Excess Capacity Fees: Fees charged for new development connections to the stormwater system to support infrastructure capacity.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

SEMSWA is a local government Drainage Authority that provides stormwater management, floodplain management, water quality regulation, and drainage infrastructure maintenance services within the City of Centennial and unincorporated Arapahoe County. It enforces floodplain regulations, reviews and permits development projects (GESC, SPIP, floodplain permits), and runs capital improvement projects for flood control. Operations are funded by annual stormwater fees, permit fees, and system development charges on properties in its jurisdiction.

Product overview

Southeast Metro Stormwater Authority (SEMSWA) is a local government Drainage Authority providing stormwater management services since 2006. The organization operates as a single unified service offering rather than a modular platform. Its core products include Stormwater Management Services (development review, water quality control measures, pollution prevention), Floodplain Management Services (mapping, permits, regulations), Water Quality Management (MS4 permit compliance, spill reporting, BMP inspections), and Capital Projects (CIP, maintenance, master planning). Additional services include Interactive Maps for public GIS access, Permit Services (floodplain, GESC, SPIP permits), Education & Outreach Programs, and Fee & Billing Services. These services collectively serve the City of Centennial and unincorporated Arapahoe County residents and businesses.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Stormwater Management Services Core stormwater management services for properties in the City of Centennial and unincorporated Arapahoe County, including development project review, permanent water quality control measures, and pollution prevention.
• Floodplain Management Services Comprehensive floodplain management including floodplain mapping, regulatory enforcement, floodplain development permits, and public education on flood hazards for properties within the service area.
• Water Quality Management Water quality monitoring and regulation as an MS4 permit holder, including spill reporting, permanent control measures, inspection and maintenance of water quality SCMs/BMPs, and pollution prevention programs.
• Capital Improvements Program (CIP) Capital improvement projects for flood control, drainage infrastructure, stream restoration, and stormwater system upgrades throughout the service area.
• Maintenance Services Routine and project-based maintenance operations including drainageway vegetation management, debris removal, and infrastructure upkeep across the service area.
• Master Planning Long-term planning services including watershed studies, drainageway plans, and flood mitigation master planning for the City of Centennial and unincorporated Arapahoe County.
• Permit Services Various permit issuance and review including Floodplain Development Permits, GESC Permits, Stormwater Public Improvement Permits (SPIP), and annual permits for stormwater infrastructure and utilities.
• Fee & Billing Services Fee collection services including annual stormwater fees, review and permit fees, system development fees, and compliance fees for properties in the service area.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2012 outreach events reached over 100,000 citizens
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Mile High Flood District (MHFD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSEMSWA works with MHFD on flood studies and FHADs (Flood Hazard Area Delineations) to update flood maps. MHFD produces flood studies on a watershed basis that are adopted by the State and affected communities. MHFD Real-Time Alert System Interface provides rainfall and weather monitoring throughout the Denver metro region.
• City and County of DenvercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorking together on the Four Square Mile Outfall System Plan to study water movement, flooding, and improvements needed to reduce flood risk in the area.
• City of AuroracoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborating with SEMSWA, Denver, and Mile High Flood District on the Four Square Mile Outfall System Plan to study flood risk and improvements.
• City of CentennialcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary jurisdictional partner. SEMSWA provides stormwater management services within City of Centennial and enforces the city's floodplain regulations through intergovernmental agreement.
• Arapahoe CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary jurisdictional partner for unincorporated areas west of Coal Creek. SEMSWA provides stormwater management services under intergovernmental agreement.
• South Metro Fire RescueminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner entity coordinating on vegetation management and fire risk mitigation in drainageways alongside flood control efforts.
• South Suburban Parks & Recreation District (SSPRD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProject partner for Lee Gulch Drainage Improvements and Stream Restoration Project. Collaboration on channel stabilization, maintenance access, and ecological restoration within park lands.
• SPLASHminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSEMSWA is a member of SPLASH, a collaborative group that provides water quality information at community events throughout the South Metro area.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Mile High Flood District: Regional flood control district covering the Denver metro that produces watershed flood studies and operates the regional alert system. Directly comparable to SEMSWA as a co-regional drainage authority with which SEMSWA partners on flood studies and FHADs, making it the closest peer in function and scale.
• Urban Drainage and Flood Control District (UDFCD): Special district serving the Denver urban region that provides flood warning, drainage, and water quality programs. A direct peer to SEMSWA in mission, governance structure (multi-jurisdictional special district), and stormwater/floodplain regulatory role.
• Cherry Creek Basin Water Quality Authority: Special district focused on water quality protection and stormwater management in the Cherry Creek basin. Directly comparable to SEMSWA in operating a watershed-based regulatory and infrastructure program with taxing/fee authority and intergovernmental governance.

Regional players

• City of Aurora — Stormwater Division: Municipal stormwater program operated by the City of Aurora. Comparable to SEMSWA in function — municipal stormwater management, floodplain regulation, and MS4 compliance — and an active collaborator on the Four Square Mile Outfall System Plan, though housed within a general-purpose municipality rather than a dedicated special district.
• Jefferson County — Stormwater Management: County-level stormwater management program serving unincorporated Jefferson County. Comparable to SEMSWA in operating MS4 permits, enforcing floodplain regulations, and delivering capital drainage improvements, but operating as a county department rather than an independent drainage authority.
• Douglas County Public Works — Stormwater: County-administered stormwater and drainage program for Douglas County, Colorado. Similar to SEMSWA in delivering MS4 compliance, drainage infrastructure maintenance, and floodplain management on the south Denver metro fringe, though structured as a county function rather than a dedicated special district.
• Arapahoe County Public Works: County public works department that is SEMSWA's primary jurisdictional partner for unincorporated areas west of Coal Creek. Comparable in operating drainage infrastructure, floodplain enforcement, and MS4 compliance at a county scale.

Broad incumbents

• City and County of Denver — Wastewater Management Division: Municipal utility managing Denver's wastewater and stormwater systems under MS4 and CDPS permits. Comparable in scale and scope of stormwater infrastructure responsibility, though embedded in a much larger general-purpose government.
• Denver Water: Large water utility serving the Denver metro. While primarily a potable water provider rather than a stormwater authority, it is a comparable Colorado utility-scale special district with overlapping regional infrastructure planning responsibilities.

Others

• South Suburban Parks & Recreation District: Adjacent special district providing parks and recreation in the same south Denver metro footprint. A current project partner on the Lee Gulch Drainage Improvements and stream restoration, making it a relevant ecosystem/adjacent peer rather than a direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebooksemswa.org/facebook-feed
• Instagramsemswa.org/instagram-feed
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/southeast-metro-stormwater-authority

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Southeast Metro Stormwater Authority