Your Tax Dollars at Work

Did you know that at least 15 counties and 35 municipalities have measures in place such as sales taxes, lodging taxes and real estate transfer taxes to support open space efforts?

Across the state, counties and municipalities have ballot measures in place to support a variety of open space efforts, from trail maintenance, river restoration and wildfire mitigation, to land acquisition, wildlife protection and more. Their work would not be possible without you: the people of Colorado. Keep It Colorado applauds the work of local agencies to advance conservation and protection of these important open spaces.

Learn about Other colorado Open Space tax measures

Below, you will find measures that will be on Fall 2025 ballots, and a small glimpse of other initiatives already active within the state. For a complete list of all ballot measures impacting the protection of open spaces, please click on the box at right.

Please email Katelyn if you know of a ballot measure that is missing or needs updated.

Ballot Measures: Fall 2025

Gallery - Your Tax Dollars at Work - Ballot Measures

City of Rifle - Increased Lodging Tax

Rifle, CO is looking to increase its lodging tax from 2.5% to 5.5% with funds to be used for city-wide events and public projects such as bike racks and trail systems.

City of Fort Collins - Permanent Sales Tax Extension

The City of Fort Collins is asking residents to extend permanently the quarter cent sales tax (25 cents/$100 purchase) to fund Fort Collins Natural Areas.

City of Denver - Bonds for Parks

The City of Denver has a ballot initiative that would permit the city to increase debt by $174,750,000 by issuing bonds and notes for repair and improvements to city parks, recreational infrastructure, and facilities, including development and preservation of the Park Hill Open Space into one of Denver’s largest parks.

City of Boulder - Sales Tax Extension

The City of Boulder is having residents vote on the permanent extension of the Community, Culture, Resilience, and Safety Tax. The 0.3% sales and use tax is utilized for capital improvements and maintenance of public structures and facilities, including parks and playground refurbishments and open space trail and trailhead improvements. 10% of the funds go to community non-profits for support of capital projects and capacity building.

Boulder County - Sales and Use Tax Extension

Boulder County is asking residents to extend in perpetuity the existing 0.15% countywide Open Space Sales and Use Tax for the purpose of acquiring, improving, managing, and maintaining open space lands and other open space property interests, including agricultural open space.

At a Glance: Existing Open Space Taxes Across Colorado

These examples only represent agencies that are members in our coalition - an added perk for members! For a comprehensive view, see the Google sheet.)

Featured

Arapahoe County

Arapahoe County has a 0.25% sales tax for parks and open spaces.

Photo is courtesy of Arapahoe County Open Spaces.

Boulder County

Boulder County has multiple sales and use taxes in place which amount to 0.475% for open spaces.

Photo is courtesy of Boulder County Parks and Open Space.

City of Boulder

The City of Boulder has a 0.15% sales tax to fund the maintenance, restoration, acquisition and preservation of open space land.

Photo is courtesy of City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks.

City of Fort Collins

The City of Fort Collins has a 0.25 % sales tax extension for open space, wildlife habitat, recreation areas.

Photo is courtesy of City of Fort Collins Natural Areas.

Eagle County

Eagle County has a 1.5 mill property tax to protect working farms, wildlife habitat, wetlands, floodplains and public access points to rivers and streams.

Photo courtesy of Eagle County Open Spaces.

Jefferson County

Jefferson County has a 0.5% sales tax for open space.

Photo courtesy of Jefferson County Open Space.

Larimer County

Larimer County has a 0.25 cent sales tax to protect natural areas, open space, rivers and wildlife habitat.

Photo courtesy of Larimer County Natural Resources Department.

Pitkin County

Pitkin County has a property tax mill levy for open space and trails.

Photo courtesy of Pitkin County Open Space & Trails.

Town of Crested Butte

Crested Butte has a 3% real estate transfer tax to acquire open space and 0.5% sales tax increase for parks, recreation and trails.

Photo courtesy of the Town of Crested Butte.

Special thanks to Jason Swann and LandVote at the Trust for Public Land for providing data for this project and to Janis Whisman at Boulder County for the idea.

Learn about Other Colorado Open Space Tax Measures