HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance 1849 - Ballot Question
CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO
INTRODUCED BY COUNCIL MEMBER WOOD
Council Bill No. 16
Ordinance No. 1849
Series 2026
TITLE: AN ORDINANCE GIVING NOTICE OF AND CALLING A SPECIAL
ELECTION TO BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 3, 2026, AND
SUBMITTING A BALLOT QUESTION CONCERNING AN
INCREASE IN THE CITY SALES AND USE TAX OF ONE
PERCENT FOR COMMUNITY CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
WHEREAS, the City of Wheat Ridge ("City") is a home rule municipality organized
and existing under Article XX of the Colorado Constitution and the Home Rule Charter of
the City of Wheat Ridge ("Charter"), and governed by its elected City Council; and
WHEREAS, the Council is authorized to refer questions to the voters by the
Home Rule Charter and by CRS 31-11-111; and
WHEREAS, the Home Rule Charter for the City of Wheat Ridge, Section 2.2
requires that a special election shall be called by resolution or ordinance of the City
Council no less than 60 days in advance of such special election; and
WHEREAS, the Council hereby determines that it is necessary to submit to the
electors of the City, at the coordinated election to be held on November 3, 2026 (the
“Election”), the question of authorizing an increase in sales and use taxes for various
capital improvement purposes as described in the ballot question set forth below (the
“ballot issue”); and,
WHEREAS, Article X, Section 20 of the Colorado Constitution requires voter
approval for any tax rate increase and for the collection, retention, and expenditure of revenues in excess of applicable constitutional limitations; and
WHEREAS, the Council desires to give notice of and call a special election to be
held on the same date as and coordinated with the general election on November 3,
2026.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO:
Section 1. Special election called Pursuant to Wheat Ridge City Charter
Sections 2.2 and 6.3 and CRS 31-10-501 and 31-11-111, the Council hereby gives notice
of and calls a Special Municipal Election to be held November 3, 2026, for the purpose of
referring the Ballot Question set forth in Section 2 to the voters of the City.
Section 2. Ballot Issue and Title
SHALL CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE TAXES BE INCREASED BY UP TO $11,700,000
ANNUALLY IN THE FIRST FULL FISCAL YEAR, AND BY WHATEVER ADDITIONAL
AMOUNTS ARE RAISED ANNUALLY THEREAFTER, BY INCREASING THE CITY SALES
AND USE TAX BY ONE PERCENT (1.0%) COMMENCING ON JANUARY 1, 2027, TO BE
USED FOR COMMUNITY INVESTMENTS INCLUDING:
• PROACTIVE STREET AND INFRASTRUCTURE MAINTENANCE;
• BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS;
• PRESERVATION OF COMMUNITY SPACES AT WILMORE DAVIS AND
KULLERSTRAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS;
• REPLACEMENT OF ANDERSON PARK OUTDOOR POOL; AND
• MODERN POLICE AND CITY SERVICES FACILITIES,
AND FOR THE OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE OF THE SAME; AND SHALL THE CITY BE
AUTHORIZED TO COLLECT, RETAIN, AND SPEND ALL REVENUES FROM SUCH TAX AS A VOTER-APPROVED REVENUE CHANGE AND EXCEPTION TO ANY SPENDING OR REVENUE
RESTRICTIONS OR OTHER LIMITS UNDER SECTION 20 OF ARTICLE X OF THE COLORADO
CONSTITUTION OR ANY OTHER LAW?
_______ YES _______ NO
Section 3. Conduct of Election. The election shall be conducted as a
coordinated election in Jefferson County in accordance with articles 1 to 13 of title 1,
C.R.S. (the “Uniform Election Code”), and Intergovernmental Agreement between the Board of County Commissioners of Jefferson County, the Jefferson County Clerk and
Recorder and the City of Wheat Ridge, which Agreement is hereby approved.
Section 4. Authorized Action. The City Clerk and other City officials and
employees are hereby authorized and directed to take all action necessary or appropriate
to effectuate the provisions of this Ordinance.
Section 5 . Severability. If any section, paragraph, clause, or provision of this
Ordinance shall be adjudged to be invalid or unenforceable, the invalidity or unenforceability of such section, paragraph, clause or provision shall not affect any of the
remaining sections, paragraphs, clauses or provisions of this Ordinance, it being the
intention that the various parts hereof are severable.
Section 6. Authority to Impose Tax. If a majority of the votes cast on the
question to increase taxes submitted at the election shall be in favor of imposing taxes as provided in such question, the City, acting through the Council, shall be authorized to
proceed with the necessary action to impose such taxes in accordance with such
question.
Section 7. Pursuant to Section 1-11-203.5, C.R.S., any election contest arising out
of a ballot issue or ballot question election concerning the order of the ballot or the form
or content of the ballot title shall be commenced by petition filed with the proper court
within five days after the title of the ballot issue or ballot question is set.
Section 8. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall take effect immediately upon
final adoption and signature by the Mayor as permitted by Section 5.11 of the Home Rule
Charter.
INTRODUCED, READ, AND ADOPTED on first reading by a vote of 8 to 0 on this
10th day of August 2026, ordered published by title in a newspaper of general circulation in the City of Wheat Ridge and in full on the City’s website, and Public Hearing and
consideration on final passage set for August 24, 2026, at 6:30 p.m., in the Council
Chambers, 7500 West 29th Avenue, Wheat Ridge, Colorado.
ADOPTED on second and final reading following public hearing and ordered
published by a vote of 8 to 0 on the 24th day of August 2026.
SIGNED by the Mayor on this 25th day of August 2026.
Korey Stites, Mayor
ATTEST:
Janeece Hoppe, City Clerk Approved as to Form:
Gerald E. Dahl, City Attorney
First Publication: August 11, 2026
Second Publication: August 25, 2026
Effective Date: August 24, 2026
Published: Jeffco Transcript and www.ci.wheatridge.co.us