Wheat Ridge weighs 1% sales tax for capital projects

Wheat Ridge City Council is considering asking voters for a 1% sales-tax increase to finance major capital projects, but took no final action July 27.

A Magellan Strategies poll presented to the council showed support increasing from 64% to 71% after residents received more information about the proposal. Staff said the council could revisit the issue at next week’s study session, potentially Monday, Aug. 3, with revised ballot language, financing scenarios and a more developed project list.

City leaders said the general fund cannot cover the scale of the city’s capital needs and that delaying projects could increase costs. Mayor Patrick Goff described the one-time need as roughly $190 million to $240 million for projects including the Anderson Pool, a civic center, school-property acquisitions, and parks and public-works facilities. He also cited an ongoing need of about $7 million a year for bicycle and pedestrian improvements and proactive infrastructure maintenance.

At the July 27 council meeting, the polling presentation said streets, sidewalks and basic infrastructure drew the strongest support. Parks and community spaces also resonated. Opponents’ concerns included the cost of living, adding taxes, distrust of spending priorities and bundling multiple projects into one measure.

Financing and project choices

Piper Sandler’s Andrew Ma estimated that a 1% sales-and-use tax could support up to $151 million in certificates of participation, compared with about $113 million at 0.75% and $75 million at 0.5%. A sales-tax revenue-bond structure could support about $121 million at 1%, $91 million at 0.75% and $61 million at 0.5%, he said.

Ma said revenue bonds would require voter authorization, while certificates of participation would not but would require physical collateral. The figures were estimates presented to the council, not a borrowing authorization.

Projects discussed included street and infrastructure maintenance, bicycle and pedestrian safety, a new police and city-services facility, the Anderson Pool, a civic center, parks and public-works facilities, community spaces, and possible acquisition of school property for park use. Wilmore Davis Elementary School was discussed separately, but the council did not settle whether it would be included.

Council members also discussed rates above 1%, including a 1.25% approach used elsewhere that could give the council authority to reduce the rate later, and a 1.5% option. None was approved, and the meeting did not establish final ballot language.

Other tax questions

Councilmember Quinn said a city question could compete with fire-protection questions associated in the discussion with “Bauta and West Metro.” Magellan’s Ryan Winger said two sales-tax increases on the same ballot “certainly doesn’t help” and told the council that municipal questions would appear before special-district questions.

The public record does not establish a formal ballot title for the Bauta reference or show that either fire-protection question will be on the November ballot. West Metro Fire Protection District’s January board minutes say the district was still planning study sessions on whether to participate in the November 2026 coordinated election and, if so, which question to present. Jefferson County Elections says local ballot content will be set in October and lists Nov. 3, 2026, as the general-election date.

The council’s next step is to review financing options and draft ballot language before the measure proceeds through the ballot process.