County of Boulder 1A - Wildfire Mitigation 0.1% Sales Tax

This is the first of three 0.1% sales taxes (1 penny on $10) on the county ballot. This new, permanent tax would pay for efforts to mitigate wildfires, which aren’t going away in the near or probably distant future.

Recommendation: TAX

A cynical analysis would point out that Boulder County’s Dec 30, 2021 Marshall Fire being the most destructive fire in terms of property in Colorado history was a great opportunity to ask voters for this dedicated tax increase.

Website for the Yes side - Yes on Wildfire Mitigation
https://www.saferbouldercounty.com/

Website for the No side
No known website – Info on an opponents’ website appreciated.


Approved Ballot Language
Boulder County Ballot Issue 1A
COUNTYWIDE WILDFIRE MITIGATION SALES AND USE TAX AND REVENUE CHANGE

SHALL BOULDER COUNTY TAXES BE INCREASED $11 MILLION ANNUALLY (FIRST FULL FISCAL YEAR DOLLAR INCREASE IN 2023) BY IMPOSING AN ADDITIONAL SALES AND USE TAX OF 0.10% FOR THE PURPOSE OF FUNDING WILDFIRE MITIGATION EFFORTS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING: STRATEGIC FOREST AND GRASSLAND MANAGEMENT PROJECTS TO REDUCE THE RISK OF CATASTROPHIC WILDFIRE, PROTECT WATER SUPPLIES, AND FOSTER RESILIENT ECOSYSTEMS; COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS AND PROGRAMS TO HELP RESIDENTS PREPARE FOR WILDFIRES, CREATE DEFENSIBLE SPACE AROUND HOMES, MAKE HOMES MORE FIRE RESISTANT, AND PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO HOMEOWNERS; FIRE MITIGATION STAFFING; AND OTHER PROJECTS TO PROACTIVELY ADDRESS THE INCREASING RISK OF CLIMATE-DRIVEN WILDFIRES; AND SHALL THE REVENUES AND THE EARNINGS ON THE INVESTMENT OF THE PROCEEDS OF SUCH TAX, REGARDLESS OF AMOUNT, CONSTITUTE A VOTER APPROVED REVENUE CHANGE; ALL IN 2 ACCORDANCE WITH BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS’ RESOLUTION NO. 2022-050?

YES/FOR ____
NO/AGAINST ____

Resolution No. 2022-050 to refer Issue 1A to the voters
https://assets.bouldercounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Reso-22-050-Wildfire-mitigation-tax-proposal.pdf