November 2023 Ballot Measures

The City of Castle Pines is placing an issue on the November 2023 ballot that will ask residents to support a 1% sales and use tax increase to specifically fund road repairs, maintenance, and capital improvement projects in Castle Pines. A dedicated sales tax would be paid not only by residents but also by visitors who purchase goods and services in the city.

If passed, this measure would result in an estimated $4,500,000 in revenue in 2024. This would include $1,750,000 from sales tax, $1,950,000 from building materials use tax that is paid by developers, and $800,000 from motor vehicle use tax.

Citizens currently pay 4.5 mills of property tax to the City of Castle Pines, but all of that funding goes directly to Douglas County exclusively for public safety services. So that revenue is not available for road maintenance. A dedicated tax for road maintenance and infrastructure is common among Colorado cities and is part of successful long-term planning. Even with this new tax, Castle Pines would still have one of the lowest sales tax rates among cities along the Front Range.

More information on needed capital improvement projects can be found on the City's Road Solutions webpage.

View the FAQs below for more information.

Ballot Question

QUESTION ____: AUTHORIZATION TO INCREASE CITY SALES AND USE TAX BY AN ADDITIONAL 1% FOR A PERIOD OF 20 YEARS TO FUND ROAD AND STREET IMPROVEMENTS AND RELATED MAINTENANCE NEEDS.

SHALL CITY OF CASTLE PINES TAXES BE INCREASED NOT MORE THAN $4,500,000 ANNUALLY BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2024 AND BY SUCH AMOUNTS AS ARE RAISED ANNUALLY THEREAFTER FOR A PERIOD OF 20 YEARS BY AN ADDITIONAL TEMPORARY SALES AND USE TAX OF 1% (OR AN INCREASE OF 1 CENT PER DOLLAR SPENT TO THE CURRENT SALES AND USE TAX RATE OF 2.75 CENTS PER DOLLAR SPENT), PROVIDED THAT THE SALE OF FOOD FOR HOME CONSUMPTION SHALL REMAIN EXEMPT FROM CITY TAXATION, TO FUND: REPAVING, REPAIRING, MAINTAINING, AND IMPROVING STREETS AND ROADS AND RELATED IMPROVEMENTS SUCH AS DRAINAGE, SIDEWALKS AND PEDESTRIAN SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS; AND SHALL THE CITY BE AUTHORIZED TO COLLECT, RETAIN AND SPEND THE PROCEEDS OF THE REVENUE FROM SUCH TAXES AND ANY EARNINGS THEREON WITHOUT LIMITATION OR CONDITION AS A VOTER-APPROVED REVENUE CHANGE UNDER ARTICLE X, SECTION 20 OF THE COLORADO CONSTITUTION OR ANY OTHER LAW?

FAQs

How long would this tax be in effect?

If passed, the tax would sunset, or expire, in twenty years.

What is the current Castle Pines sales tax rate?

The City’s current sales tax rate is 2.75%. With the State of Colorado sales tax (2.9%), Douglas County sales tax (1.0%) and the Scientific & Cultural Facilities District Sales Tax (.10%), the current overall total sales tax in Castle Pines is 6.75%. If the Roads Sales Tax passes, the tax rate would go to 7.75%.

How does the Castle Pines sales tax compare to other municipalities?

Castle Pines’ current sales tax rate of 2.75% is the lowest compared to 15 cities along the Front Range in Colorado. Surrounding municipalities in Douglas County have sales tax rates of 2.8125% in Lone Tree, 3.0% in Parker, and 4% in Castle Rock.

The City of Castle Pines is placing an issue on the November 2023 ballot that will ask residents to support 12 mills for the City to manage public parks, trails, recreation, and open space. A majority of local metropolitan districts would then permanently reduce 12 mills of their property tax collection, transferring those mills to the City from the metro district.

Because it would be a transfer of 12 mills, it would result in no net increase in the property tax mill levy for most homeowners. Homeowners in the North Pine Vistas Metro District, where homeowners pay into two metro districts (North Pine Vistas and Castle Pines North metro districts), would have a net decrease in property tax mills. Because homeowners in Hidden Pointe do not currently pay property tax for the parks, trails, recreation, and open space, they would see a 12 mill increase if this measure passes.

Currently, each metro district in Castle Pines is responsible for maintaining parks, trails, and open space within its boundaries. By approving this transfer, it would consolidate all parks management under the City of Castle Pines.

The Castle Pines North Metropolitan District Board of Directors passed a resolution expressing support for this measure.

View the FAQs below for more information.

Ballot Question

QUESTION ____: AUTHORIZATION TO INCREASE CITY AD VALOREM PROPERTY TAX BY 12 MILLS TO FUND PARK, RECREATION, TRAIL AND OPEN SPACE AMENITIES AND IMPROVEMENTS SUBJECT TO AN EQUAL DECREASE IN AD VALOREM PROPERTY TAXES IMPOSED BY TITLE 32 METROPOLITAN DISTRICTS ON PROPERTIES LOCATED WITHIN SUCH METROPOLITAN DISTRICTS.

SHALL CITY OF CASTLE PINES TAXES BE INCREASED UP TO $4,750,000 IN TAX COLLECTION YEAR 2024 AND BY SUCH AMOUNTS AS ARE RAISED ANNUALLY THEREAFTER FROM AN AD VALOREM PROPERTY TAX OF 12 MILLS UPON TAXABLE REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY (PROVIDED THAT SUCH MILL LEVY MAY  BE ADJUSTED BY THE CITY TO ACCOUNT FOR CHANGES IN LAW OR THE METHOD BY WHICH ASSESSED VALUATION IS CALCULATED), TO FUND: PARK, RECREATION, TRAIL AND OPEN SPACE AMENITIES AND IMPROVEMENTS AND THE CONTINUED OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF SAME WITHIN THE CITY; PROVIDED THAT THE CITY MAY IMPOSE SUCH AD VALOREM PROPERTY TAX ONLY IF THE TITLE 32 METROPOLITAN DISTRICTS IN THE CITY IMPOSING AN AD VALOREM PROPERTY TAX OF 12 MILLS OR GREATER FOR OPERATIONS PURPOSES PERMANENTLY REDUCE OR ELIMINATE THEIR RESPECTIVE MILL LEVIES BY 12 MILLS OR GREATER, SUCH THAT THERE IS NO NET INCREASE IN THE AGGREGATE MILL LEVIES IMPOSED BY THE CITY AND THE DISTRICTS ON PROPERTIES LOCATED WITHIN SUCH DISTRICTS (E.G., SHEA CANYONS, CASTLE PINES NORTH, AND LAGAE COMMUNITIES); AND SHALL THE CITY BE AUTHORIZED TO COLLECT, RETAIN AND SPEND THE PROCEEDS OF THE REVENUE FROM SUCH TAX AND ANY EARNINGS THEREON WITHOUT LIMITATION OR CONDITION AS A VOTER-APPROVED REVENUE CHANGE UNDER ARTICLE X, SECTION 20 OF THE COLORADO CONSTITUTION OR ANY OTHER LAW?

 

FAQs

Why is the City considering this measure?

Consolidating the management of all parks, trails, recreation, and open space under the City of Castle Pines will provide several benefits, including the ability to negotiate one single maintenance contract for the entire city, which will provide economies of scale that save money.

This plan would also allow the City to consolidate the management of public parks. This would make it easier for the City to ensure consistent levels of service and amenities at all City-managed parks, trails, and open space areas.

Would this be a property tax mill levy increase?

No, not for most homeowners. Because it would be a transfer of 12 mills, it would result in no net increase in the property tax mill levy for homeowners. Homeowners in the North Pine Vistas Metro District, where homeowners pay into two metro districts, would actually have a net decrease in property tax mills.

Because homeowners in Hidden Pointe do not currently pay property tax for the parks, trails, recreation, and open space, they would see a 12 mill increase if this measure passes.

What is a property tax mill levy?

A mill levy is a tax rate that is applied to the assessed value of a property. The mill levy is multiplied by the assessed value of a property to determine the amount of taxes due. For residential property, the assessed value is approximately 6.6% the property’s actual value, which is determined by the County Assessor.

The mill levy for each tax area represents the number of dollars of property taxes levied for each $1,000 of assessed value. For example, in a tax area with a mill levy of 10 mills, a residential property owner pays approximately $10.00 for every $1,000 in assessed value.

Road Sales & Use Tax (Ballot Item 2E)

The City of Castle Pines is placing an issue on the November 2023 ballot that will ask residents to support a 1% sales and use tax increase to specifically fund road repairs, maintenance, and capital improvement projects in Castle Pines. A dedicated sales tax would be paid not only by residents but also by visitors who purchase goods and services in the city.

If passed, this measure would result in an estimated $4,500,000 in revenue in 2024. This would include $1,750,000 from sales tax, $1,950,000 from building materials use tax that is paid by developers, and $800,000 from motor vehicle use tax.

Citizens currently pay 4.5 mills of property tax to the City of Castle Pines, but all of that funding goes directly to Douglas County exclusively for public safety services. So that revenue is not available for road maintenance. A dedicated tax for road maintenance and infrastructure is common among Colorado cities and is part of successful long-term planning. Even with this new tax, Castle Pines would still have one of the lowest sales tax rates among cities along the Front Range.

More information on needed capital improvement projects can be found on the City's Road Solutions webpage.

View the FAQs below for more information.

Ballot Question

QUESTION ____: AUTHORIZATION TO INCREASE CITY SALES AND USE TAX BY AN ADDITIONAL 1% FOR A PERIOD OF 20 YEARS TO FUND ROAD AND STREET IMPROVEMENTS AND RELATED MAINTENANCE NEEDS.

SHALL CITY OF CASTLE PINES TAXES BE INCREASED NOT MORE THAN $4,500,000 ANNUALLY BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2024 AND BY SUCH AMOUNTS AS ARE RAISED ANNUALLY THEREAFTER FOR A PERIOD OF 20 YEARS BY AN ADDITIONAL TEMPORARY SALES AND USE TAX OF 1% (OR AN INCREASE OF 1 CENT PER DOLLAR SPENT TO THE CURRENT SALES AND USE TAX RATE OF 2.75 CENTS PER DOLLAR SPENT), PROVIDED THAT THE SALE OF FOOD FOR HOME CONSUMPTION SHALL REMAIN EXEMPT FROM CITY TAXATION, TO FUND: REPAVING, REPAIRING, MAINTAINING, AND IMPROVING STREETS AND ROADS AND RELATED IMPROVEMENTS SUCH AS DRAINAGE, SIDEWALKS AND PEDESTRIAN SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS; AND SHALL THE CITY BE AUTHORIZED TO COLLECT, RETAIN AND SPEND THE PROCEEDS OF THE REVENUE FROM SUCH TAXES AND ANY EARNINGS THEREON WITHOUT LIMITATION OR CONDITION AS A VOTER-APPROVED REVENUE CHANGE UNDER ARTICLE X, SECTION 20 OF THE COLORADO CONSTITUTION OR ANY OTHER LAW?

FAQs

How long would this tax be in effect?

If passed, the tax would sunset, or expire, in twenty years.

What is the current Castle Pines sales tax rate?

The City’s current sales tax rate is 2.75%. With the State of Colorado sales tax (2.9%), Douglas County sales tax (1.0%) and the Scientific & Cultural Facilities District Sales Tax (.10%), the current overall total sales tax in Castle Pines is 6.75%. If the Roads Sales Tax passes, the tax rate would go to 7.75%.

How does the Castle Pines sales tax compare to other municipalities?

Castle Pines’ current sales tax rate of 2.75% is the lowest compared to 15 cities along the Front Range in Colorado. Surrounding municipalities in Douglas County have sales tax rates of 2.8125% in Lone Tree, 3.0% in Parker, and 4% in Castle Rock.

Parks Property Tax Mill Levy (Ballot Item 2F)

The City of Castle Pines is placing an issue on the November 2023 ballot that will ask residents to support 12 mills for the City to manage public parks, trails, recreation, and open space. A majority of local metropolitan districts would then permanently reduce 12 mills of their property tax collection, transferring those mills to the City from the metro district.

Because it would be a transfer of 12 mills, it would result in no net increase in the property tax mill levy for most homeowners. Homeowners in the North Pine Vistas Metro District, where homeowners pay into two metro districts (North Pine Vistas and Castle Pines North metro districts), would have a net decrease in property tax mills. Because homeowners in Hidden Pointe do not currently pay property tax for the parks, trails, recreation, and open space, they would see a 12 mill increase if this measure passes.

Currently, each metro district in Castle Pines is responsible for maintaining parks, trails, and open space within its boundaries. By approving this transfer, it would consolidate all parks management under the City of Castle Pines.

The Castle Pines North Metropolitan District Board of Directors passed a resolution expressing support for this measure.

View the FAQs below for more information.

Ballot Question

QUESTION ____: AUTHORIZATION TO INCREASE CITY AD VALOREM PROPERTY TAX BY 12 MILLS TO FUND PARK, RECREATION, TRAIL AND OPEN SPACE AMENITIES AND IMPROVEMENTS SUBJECT TO AN EQUAL DECREASE IN AD VALOREM PROPERTY TAXES IMPOSED BY TITLE 32 METROPOLITAN DISTRICTS ON PROPERTIES LOCATED WITHIN SUCH METROPOLITAN DISTRICTS.

SHALL CITY OF CASTLE PINES TAXES BE INCREASED UP TO $4,750,000 IN TAX COLLECTION YEAR 2024 AND BY SUCH AMOUNTS AS ARE RAISED ANNUALLY THEREAFTER FROM AN AD VALOREM PROPERTY TAX OF 12 MILLS UPON TAXABLE REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY (PROVIDED THAT SUCH MILL LEVY MAY  BE ADJUSTED BY THE CITY TO ACCOUNT FOR CHANGES IN LAW OR THE METHOD BY WHICH ASSESSED VALUATION IS CALCULATED), TO FUND: PARK, RECREATION, TRAIL AND OPEN SPACE AMENITIES AND IMPROVEMENTS AND THE CONTINUED OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF SAME WITHIN THE CITY; PROVIDED THAT THE CITY MAY IMPOSE SUCH AD VALOREM PROPERTY TAX ONLY IF THE TITLE 32 METROPOLITAN DISTRICTS IN THE CITY IMPOSING AN AD VALOREM PROPERTY TAX OF 12 MILLS OR GREATER FOR OPERATIONS PURPOSES PERMANENTLY REDUCE OR ELIMINATE THEIR RESPECTIVE MILL LEVIES BY 12 MILLS OR GREATER, SUCH THAT THERE IS NO NET INCREASE IN THE AGGREGATE MILL LEVIES IMPOSED BY THE CITY AND THE DISTRICTS ON PROPERTIES LOCATED WITHIN SUCH DISTRICTS (E.G., SHEA CANYONS, CASTLE PINES NORTH, AND LAGAE COMMUNITIES); AND SHALL THE CITY BE AUTHORIZED TO COLLECT, RETAIN AND SPEND THE PROCEEDS OF THE REVENUE FROM SUCH TAX AND ANY EARNINGS THEREON WITHOUT LIMITATION OR CONDITION AS A VOTER-APPROVED REVENUE CHANGE UNDER ARTICLE X, SECTION 20 OF THE COLORADO CONSTITUTION OR ANY OTHER LAW?

 

FAQs

Why is the City considering this measure?

Consolidating the management of all parks, trails, recreation, and open space under the City of Castle Pines will provide several benefits, including the ability to negotiate one single maintenance contract for the entire city, which will provide economies of scale that save money.

This plan would also allow the City to consolidate the management of public parks. This would make it easier for the City to ensure consistent levels of service and amenities at all City-managed parks, trails, and open space areas.

Would this be a property tax mill levy increase?

No, not for most homeowners. Because it would be a transfer of 12 mills, it would result in no net increase in the property tax mill levy for homeowners. Homeowners in the North Pine Vistas Metro District, where homeowners pay into two metro districts, would actually have a net decrease in property tax mills.

Because homeowners in Hidden Pointe do not currently pay property tax for the parks, trails, recreation, and open space, they would see a 12 mill increase if this measure passes.

What is a property tax mill levy?

A mill levy is a tax rate that is applied to the assessed value of a property. The mill levy is multiplied by the assessed value of a property to determine the amount of taxes due. For residential property, the assessed value is approximately 6.6% the property’s actual value, which is determined by the County Assessor.

The mill levy for each tax area represents the number of dollars of property taxes levied for each $1,000 of assessed value. For example, in a tax area with a mill levy of 10 mills, a residential property owner pays approximately $10.00 for every $1,000 in assessed value.