West Metro November Ballot Issue 

Firefighters on a roof venting smoke from a building with an axe.

Ballot Question:

SHALL WEST METRO FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT TAXES BE INCREASED BY UP TO $36,300,000 IN FISCAL YEAR 2027 AND BY WHATEVER AMOUNTS ARE RAISED ANNUALLY THEREAFTER, FROM A THREE-QUARTERS OF A PERCENT  (0.75%) SALES TAX, 

WHICH IS SEVENTY-FIVE CENTS ON EVERY $100 PURCHASE, EXCLUDING EVERYDAY NECESSITIES LIKE GROCERIES, GAS, AND MEDICINE, FOR THE PURPOSES OF MAINTAINING VITAL FIREFIGHTING AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO: 

• CONTINUING TO PROVIDE RAPID EMERGENCY MEDICAL AND FIREFIGHTING SERVICES TO MEET INCREASED DEMAND; 

• MAINTAINING ADEQUATE NUMBERS OF FIRST RESPONDERS;

• PROTECTING THE SAFETY AND HEALTH OF FIREFIGHTERS AND PARAMEDICS;

• UPDATING LIFE-SAVING MEDICAL AND RESCUE EQUIPMENT; AND

• STRENGTHENING LOCAL WILDFIRE RESPONSE.

WITH SUCH SALES TAX TO BE IN ADDITION TO ALL OTHER TAXES LEVIED BY THE DISTRICT AND SPENDING OF ALL DISTRICT REVENUES SHALL BE REVIEWED MONTHLY BY A CITIZEN BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND ANNUALLY BY AN INDEPENDENT AUDIT, AND REPORTED ON THE DISTRICT WEBSITE;

AND SHALL THE RESULTING SALES TAX REVENUE AND INVESTMENT EARNINGS BE TREATED AS A VOTER-APPROVED REVENUE AND SPENDING CHANGE UNDER ARTICLE X OF SECTION 20 OF THE COLORADO CONSTITUTION AND ANY OTHER LAW?

 

How to Vote: 

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Ballot Issue Pros & Cons:

Arguments For: 

  • West Metro Fire Rescue needs this additional funding in order to be able to maintain an adequate number of first responder and firefighters to provide rapid emergency medical and firefighting services throughout the District.
  • WMFR emergency calls are growing four times faster than the population, and along with the additional wildfire risk are increasing pressure for emergency services. 
  • Two-thirds of the calls the District receives are for medical emergencies, this funding will ensure they can be there when seconds can be the difference between life and death.
  • West Metro is facing a $40 million funding gap in 2027 due to declining revenue and the increasing cost of equipment that will keep firefighters safe. 
  • A sales tax would be paid by everyone who shops at our local stores, not just residents, and wouldn’t be charged on everyday necessities like groceries, gas, medicine and diapers. 
  • WMFR has not received additional voter-approved mill levy funding in 20 years.

Arguments Against:

  • Residents are already facing high housing and living costs, and a sales tax would make purchases more expensive. 
  • This is the wrong time to raise taxes given economic uncertainty.
  • Sales taxes are generally regressive and can disproportionately impact lower-income households. 
  • Taxpayers already pay multiple state, local and special-district taxes. 
  • The District must find ways to live within its existing budget.
  • A permanent tax increase may not address the underlying causes of West Metro’s long-term funding challenges.