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Voters support funding for open space and trails

By Will Shafroth, Executive Director, Colorado Conservation Trust

Voters across the country were generous this Election Day, approving 99 ballot measures to increase state and local government funding for land conservation. The measures together will raise a record $5.73 billion, just edging the previous record of $5.68 billion set during the November 1998 election.

Here in Colorado, support for conservation was just as strong with voters passing four of six local ballot measures that together will generate an estimated $113.6 million for conservation purposes. The successful measures include:

A 1 percent municipal sales tax increase in the city of Basalt that is dedicated to the acquisition of parks, trails and open space that will raise an anticipated $20 million.

A 10-year extension of a 3.75 mill property tax levy in Pitkin County for open space and trails that will raise an anticipated $21 million.

A $10.1 million municipal bond issue in the town of Telluride for purchase of 57 acres of the valley floor.

A 25-year extension of a .25 percent municipal sales tax for open space, parks and recreation in the city of Westminster that will raise an anticipated $62.5 million for conservation purposes.

We can be proud that Colorado has been a leader nationally in public support for conservation, ranking third in the country in both the number of conservation measures passed and total conservation funding raised. Since 1990, voters in Colorado communities have passed 110 of 147 ballot measures that will raise an anticipated 3.4 billion for parks, open space and trails. This large support for public conservation funding shows the commitment Coloradans have made toward protecting the most special places in this state for future generations to enjoy.

The outcome of the elections also gives us renewed hope that we can move conservation finance measures through the legislature that, in 2006, were either vetoed by the governor or stalled due to lack of support. I believe that we will now find stronger support to allow county voters to expand their sales tax caps by .5 percent for dedicated open space projects, and we may have success pushing forward other funding proposals.

Our goal of protecting 2 million acres of Colorado's most special landscapes definitely was an ambitious goal, but as I see the progress we are making day by day, month by month, I know we will get there. These four public funding sources keep the momentum going.

Will Shafroth
Executive Director
Colorado Conservation Trust

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