HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026 - RESO 43 - Ballot QuestionCITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO
RESOLUTION NO. 43
SERIES OF 2026
TITLE: A RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE SUPPORT OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE FOR THE NOVEMBER
3, 2026 BALLOT QUESTION CONCERNING A ONE PERCENT
SALES AND USE TAX FOR COMMUNITY CAPITAL
INVESTMENTS
WHEREAS, the City of Wheat Ridge, Colorado (the “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; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has a responsibility to plan for the long-term financial
health, infrastructure needs, public safety, parks and recreation facilities, transportation
system, and overall quality of life of the Wheat Ridge community; and
WHEREAS, over the past several years, the City has undertaken significant long-
range planning efforts, including the Facilities Master Plan, transportation planning,
parks and recreation planning, bicycle and pedestrian network planning, and ongoing
infrastructure assessments; and
WHEREAS, the City has engaged the community through extensive planning,
public outreach, community conversations, statistically valid community surveys, and
other engagement efforts to better understand Wheat Ridge residents’ priorities for
future capital investments; and
WHEREAS, through these community engagement efforts, Wheat Ridge residents
have consistently identified the preservation and maintenance of existing infrastructure,
safe and connected streets, sidewalks and bicycle facilities, parks and community
spaces, public safety facilities, and other essential community assets as important
priorities for investment; and
WHEREAS, the City Council recognizes that the capital priorities identified in the
proposed ballot question are informed not only by technical assessments and long-
range planning, but also by the priorities and feedback expressed by the Wheat Ridge
community; and
WHEREAS, these planning efforts have identified significant capital needs,
including proactive street and infrastructure maintenance, improvements to bicycle and
pedestrian safe
ty and connectivity, preservation of community spaces at the Wilmore Davis and
Kullerstrand school properties, replacement of the Anderson Park outdoor pool, and
modernization of police and City services facilities; and
WHEREAS, existing City revenues are insufficient to address all of these
significant capital needs in a timely manner without identifying additional dedicated
funding; and
WHEREAS, on August 24, 2026, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 1849,
Series 2026, calling a coordinated election to be held on November 3, 2026, and
submitting to the registered electors of the City a ballot question concerning an
increase in the City sales and use tax of one percent (1.0%) for community capital
investments; and
WHEREAS, the City Council recognizes that maintaining and replacing aging
infrastructure and public facilities is a fundamental responsibility of local government
and that delaying necessary capital investments can increase future costs to the
community; and
WHEREAS, the City Council further recognizes that investments in streets,
sidewalks, bicycle connections, parks, public safety facilities, and other community
infrastructure provide benefits to residents, businesses, and visitors and contribute to
the long-term vitality and sustainability of Wheat Ridge; and
WHEREAS, the City Council believes that the proposed ballot measure represents
a comprehensive community investment program and provides an opportunity for
Wheat Ridge voters to determine whether to provide a dedicated local funding source
for these identified capital priorities.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO:
Section 1. Support for Ballot Question.
The City Council hereby expresses its support for the ballot question to be submitted to
the registered electors of the City of Wheat Ridge at the November 3, 2026, coordinated
election concerning an increase in the City sales and use tax of one percent (1.0%) for
community capital investments.
Section 2. Community Investment.
The City Council supports the ballot question because it would establish a dedicated
funding source to make long-term investments in the Wheat Ridge community,
including:
• Proactive street and infrastructure maintenance;
• Bicycle and pedestrian safety improvements and connectivity;
• Preservation of community spaces at the Wilmore Davis and Kullerstrand school
properties;
• Replacement of the Anderson Park outdoor pool; and
• Modern police and City services facilities;
together with the operations and maintenance of such investments as authorized by the
ballot question.
Section 3. Long-Term Stewardship.
The City Council recognizes that the proposed investment is intended to address
significant capital needs over multiple years and to preserve and improve community
assets for current and future generations. The Council supports a phased and
financially responsible approach to implementation that considers project priorities,
available revenues, financing costs, debt capacity, and the City's long-term financial
sustainability.
Section 4. Accountability.
If approved by the voters, the City Council commits to responsible stewardship of the
revenues generated by the ballot measure and to using those revenues for the purposes
authorized by the voters and applicable law.
Section 5. Effective Date.
This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption.
DONE AND RESOLVED this 14th day of September 2026.
Korey Stites, Mayor
ATTEST:
Janeece Hoppe, City Clerk