Share Sustainable Funding for Identified Needs on FacebookShare Sustainable Funding for Identified Needs on TwitterShare Sustainable Funding for Identified Needs on LinkedinEmail Sustainable Funding for Identified Needs link
The Keep Fort Collins Great (KFCG) .85 percent sales tax was passed by Fort Collins voters in November 2010 to fund critical services and programs for the community. This .85% dedicated tax will sunset December 31, 2020. On February 5, 2019, City Council referred a ballot measure regarding Keep Fort Collins Great revenue replacement to the April 2, 2019 ballot. Fort Collins voters passed the ballot by 61%.
This measure will continue the .85% tax by increasing the on-going tax rate by .60% and adding a renewable .25% tax through 2030.
The City of Fort Collins uses this important revenue stream for road improvement projects, increased staffing and facilities for our emergency responders, the diverse needs in our Parks and Recreation Department and other community priorities(External link).
Please scroll below to see how the tax is divided per the ballot language and to view the previous year’s services and programs funded by this revenue.
On July 25, following an 18-month process, City Staff presented a range of options for City Council's consideration pertaining to funding needs in the areas of parks and recreation, climate resiliency, affordable housing and transit. Council resolved to refer two measures to voters at the August 15, 2023 meeting. Complete meeting agenda, notes and video recordings are provided here.
This page provides information regarding current City revenue models and details about identified funding needs associated with these measures.
2023 marks the sesquicentennial anniversary of the incorporation of the City of Fort Collins. We celebrated 150 years of municipal service and the coming together of our community at this year's State of the City. Pretty cool, right? The community also has big dreams for the next 150 years and we want to maintain the assets we already have going forward.
From 2019-2022, the City conducted long-range planning efforts to guide future investments in parks/recreation, transit/transportation, housing, and climate change resiliency. These plans help outline and prioritize solutions to address things like aging infrastructure, population growth and mitigating the impacts of climate change. All of these plans and recommended actions were developed in close consultation with residents and involved considerable public engagement to ensure the vision, priorities and goals of our community at large are represented.
Replacements & Master Plan Projects
[$8-12M Annual Gap/Needs]
The Parks and Recreation system is made up of over 50 parks, 45 miles of paved trails, and 10 recreation facilities.
Recent analysis has shown that major infrastructure replacement is underfunded, and the dedicated funding has not increased in decades.
The Parks & Recreation Master Plan(External link)also showed that residents indicated investment in pools was top priority (trails were second.) Additional funding would support infrastructure replacement at existing and new recreation facilities and parks, plus partial Operation and Maintenance (O&M) costs. With adequate funding, maintaining current assets and completing an equitable and accessible system for all could be achieved.
Our Climate Future (OCF) is a comprehensive plan to simultaneously address climate, energy and waste goals while improving our community’s equity and resilience. Big Moves is the Our Climate Future way of describing the transformational outcomes which connect specific goals for climate, energy and waste with the community’s definition of a sustainable Fort Collins. Transit, Active Modes, and Housing are all included within the Climate Big Moves.
The City provides both federal and local dollars to affordable housing providers. Being able to put more local dollars into this process is one way to add affordable housing.
Efforts could include Land Bank acquisitions, fee offsets and incentive programs for affordable housing projects.
Our Climate Futureidentifies Big Moves and opportunities for investment that reduce our carbon footprint while also reducing costs.
Community-wide total electricity use would be over 20% higher without current Utilities energy efficiency programs. Additional investments identified in the Our Climate Future plan are needed to meet community goals.
Additional dollars can help residents and businesses receive direct support and incentives for things like e-bikes, electrification of heating systems, electric panel upgrades, electric charging stations, and more!
Alternative and Additional Funding Options
Possible revenue mechanisms to support these needs include Property and Sales taxes.
Property Tax
Property Tax, also known as mill levies, can include levies from a variety of taxing districts, such as schools, counties, cities, and metro and special districts. One mill is equal to $1 of property tax for every $1,000 of assessed value (the current residential assessment rate in Colorado is 6.765% of a home's actual value -- learn more from the Larimer County Assessor's Office(External link)).
Poudre Fire Authority receives 67% of the City’s current portion of property tax via an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA). The City mill levy of 9.797 has not increased since 1992.
Sales Tax
Groceries are taxed at 2.25% and that rate is not included in or affected by the proposed 2023 ballot measures.
Tax Rates: Regional Benchmarks
The chart below compares total tax rates across twelve cities in Northern Colorado. Fort Collins is on the lower end of the rankings. All counties except Douglas and Larimer have other taxes linked to transportation, culture and public safety.
On July 25, following an 18-month process, City Staff presented a range of options for City Council's consideration pertaining to funding needs in the areas of parks and recreation, climate resiliency, affordable housing and transit. Council resolved to refer two measures to voters at the August 15, 2023 meeting. Complete meeting agenda, notes and video recordings are provided here.
This page provides information regarding current City revenue models and details about identified funding needs associated with these measures.
2023 marks the sesquicentennial anniversary of the incorporation of the City of Fort Collins. We celebrated 150 years of municipal service and the coming together of our community at this year's State of the City. Pretty cool, right? The community also has big dreams for the next 150 years and we want to maintain the assets we already have going forward.
From 2019-2022, the City conducted long-range planning efforts to guide future investments in parks/recreation, transit/transportation, housing, and climate change resiliency. These plans help outline and prioritize solutions to address things like aging infrastructure, population growth and mitigating the impacts of climate change. All of these plans and recommended actions were developed in close consultation with residents and involved considerable public engagement to ensure the vision, priorities and goals of our community at large are represented.
Replacements & Master Plan Projects
[$8-12M Annual Gap/Needs]
The Parks and Recreation system is made up of over 50 parks, 45 miles of paved trails, and 10 recreation facilities.
Recent analysis has shown that major infrastructure replacement is underfunded, and the dedicated funding has not increased in decades.
The Parks & Recreation Master Plan(External link)also showed that residents indicated investment in pools was top priority (trails were second.) Additional funding would support infrastructure replacement at existing and new recreation facilities and parks, plus partial Operation and Maintenance (O&M) costs. With adequate funding, maintaining current assets and completing an equitable and accessible system for all could be achieved.
Our Climate Future (OCF) is a comprehensive plan to simultaneously address climate, energy and waste goals while improving our community’s equity and resilience. Big Moves is the Our Climate Future way of describing the transformational outcomes which connect specific goals for climate, energy and waste with the community’s definition of a sustainable Fort Collins. Transit, Active Modes, and Housing are all included within the Climate Big Moves.
The City provides both federal and local dollars to affordable housing providers. Being able to put more local dollars into this process is one way to add affordable housing.
Efforts could include Land Bank acquisitions, fee offsets and incentive programs for affordable housing projects.
Our Climate Futureidentifies Big Moves and opportunities for investment that reduce our carbon footprint while also reducing costs.
Community-wide total electricity use would be over 20% higher without current Utilities energy efficiency programs. Additional investments identified in the Our Climate Future plan are needed to meet community goals.
Additional dollars can help residents and businesses receive direct support and incentives for things like e-bikes, electrification of heating systems, electric panel upgrades, electric charging stations, and more!
Alternative and Additional Funding Options
Possible revenue mechanisms to support these needs include Property and Sales taxes.
Property Tax
Property Tax, also known as mill levies, can include levies from a variety of taxing districts, such as schools, counties, cities, and metro and special districts. One mill is equal to $1 of property tax for every $1,000 of assessed value (the current residential assessment rate in Colorado is 6.765% of a home's actual value -- learn more from the Larimer County Assessor's Office(External link)).
Poudre Fire Authority receives 67% of the City’s current portion of property tax via an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA). The City mill levy of 9.797 has not increased since 1992.
Sales Tax
Groceries are taxed at 2.25% and that rate is not included in or affected by the proposed 2023 ballot measures.
Tax Rates: Regional Benchmarks
The chart below compares total tax rates across twelve cities in Northern Colorado. Fort Collins is on the lower end of the rankings. All counties except Douglas and Larimer have other taxes linked to transportation, culture and public safety.
(External link)Masterplan to Build Out Projects
(External link)
City of Fort Collins Budget 101
2-Year Strategic Plan Budget Video
