Measures to protect Adams County land, roads, and water to appear on November Ballot
Brighton, CO – Today, the coalition to pass Adams County ballot measures 1A and 1B officially launched its fall campaign. Unanimously referred to the ballot by the Adams County Board of Commissioners, 1A and 1B will extend previously voter-approved programs to protect Adams County resources, including roads, land and water.
“Adams County is a great place to live, work, and enjoy Colorado’s sunshine,” said Board of County Commissioners Chair Emma Pinter. “Ballot measures 1A and 1B will ensure Adams County stays great as we preserve land that protects water quality, maintain and improve roads and bridges, and plan for the future in a balanced, sustainable way.”
1A and 1B are supported by more than two-thirds of Adams County voters, based on polling conducted earlier this year, and will appear on the November 3, 2020 ballot for Adams County. In addition, a growing list of bipartisan elected officials and community leaders have endorsed both measures.
“In recent years, Adams County has been among the top counties in the United States in terms of job growth,” said Bo Martinez, President and CEO of the Adams County Regional Economic Partnership. “Along with that growth comes a need to plan for the future. By extending these existing programs — without an increase in taxes — 1A and 1B give Adams County stability to keep the whole region heading in the right direction.”
1A and 1B were approved by Adams County voters multiple times dating back to 1999. This year, voters will be asked to continue their support for these successful programs. Both measures keep the current Adams County sales tax rate the same and will give Adams County, and the municipalities within the County, the stability they need to plan ahead for future growth. Over the next 30 years, it is expected that Adams County will surpass the population of Denver and become the third-largest county in Colorado.
“Protecting open space and improving roads are both top priorities of Thornton residents,” said Mayor Jan Kulmann of Thornton, Colorado in Adams County. “Without increasing taxes, 1A and 1B will ensure that existing funding streams are continued and that resources are shared between cities in Adams County, and the County itself. I’m voting yes on 1A and 1B.”
Background:
Ballot measures 1A and 1B were unanimously referred to the November 3, 2020 ballot by the Adams County Board of Commissioners on September 1, 2020.
The Open Space Sales Tax, which 1A extends, was approved by Adams County voters in 1999 as a 1/5 of one percent sales tax. In 2004, voters approved an increase to 1/4 of one percent, or 25 cents on a $100 purchase. Polling in spring of 2020 showed that 71% of Adams County voters supported extending this tax.
A roads and facilities sales tax, which 1B extends, was passed by voters in 2006 as a 1/2 of one percent roads and facilities sales tax, or 50 cents on a $100 purchase. Polling in spring of 2020 showed that 65% of Adams County voters supported extending this tax.
Preliminary endorsements include:
- Governor Jared Polis
- Congressman Ed Perlmutter CD-7
- Secretary Federico Peña
- Mayor Herb Atchison – Westminster
- Mayor Jan Kulmann – Thornton
- Mayor Royce Pindell – Bennett
- State Senator Dominick Moreno SD-21
- State Senator Faith Winter SD-24
- State Representative Dafna Michaelson Jenet HD-30
- State Representative Shannon Bird HD-35
- State Representative Yadira Caraveo HD-31
- State Representative Kyle Mullica HD-34
- Commissioner Eva J. Henry – Adams County Board of County Commissioners District 1
- Commissioner Mary Hodge – Adams County Board of County Commissioners District 5
- Commissioner Steve O’Dorisio – Adams County Board of County Commissioners District 4
- Commissioner Emma Pinter – Adams County Board of County Commissioners District 3
- Commissioner Charles “Chaz” Tedesco – Adams County Board of County Commissioners District 2
- Mayor Pro Tem Anita Seitz – Westminster
- Mayor Pro Tem Jenny Willford – Northglenn
- Councilwoman Katherine E. Goff – Northglenn
- Councilwoman Julia Marvin – Thornton
- Councilwoman Julie Mullica – Northglenn
- Councilwoman Susan Noble – Commerce City
- Ryan McCoy – Westminster Public Schools Board Member
- Bo Martinez, President and CEO of the Adams County Regional Economic Partnership
- Nicole Milo – Senior Adviser Government and Community Affairs at Centura Health
- Carolynne C. White – Attorney at Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck
- Trust for Public Land
- Adams County Regional Economic Partnership
