Boulder County commissioners on Aug. 12 voted 2-1 to place a measure on the November ballot to extend one of the county’s sales taxes that funds open space programs. The 0.15% sales and use tax generates about $15 million annually and is set to expire at the end of 2030. The measure would extend the tax for 10 years.
The proposal is among several taxes that together bring in about $47 million per year, some of which are scheduled to expire and could lead to a budget shortfall by 2031, according to a county official.
While open space taxes have historically received broad public support, the extension drew opposition from some farmers who said it does too little for agriculture. They called for changes that would have directed more revenue to agricultural programs, such as housing for farmworkers, modern wash-and-pack facilities and irrigation upgrades.
In part to address those concerns, commissioners opted for a 10-year extension rather than the permanent extension recommended by county staff. The shorter timeline could give the commissioners an opportunity to revisit how the tax is invested in agriculture. Commissioner Ashley Stolzmann, who previously indicated she supported a permanent extension to avoid staffing cuts, was the lone vote against the 10-year plan. Commissioners Marta Loachamin and Claire Levy voted in favor.
It is very hard for me to give any support to Open Space when they are letting the prairie dogs destroy our grasslands. I get that they are a needed species, but their numbers are so over the top they are completely out of balance. There are not even close to the number of predators to keep them in even slight balance, and in the meantime, our grasslands are turning into weeds and bare soil. WE WANT OUR GRASSLANDS BACK!!!! I know they have a “plan” and are “doing something”. It’s a joke. No way is there little effort doing nearly enough to stop further destruction. All their little effort does is to allow them to say “We are working on it.” They should be sued for mismanagement of our open space.