Jeffco Voters Face $133 Million School Tax Question
Three Denver-area districts ask for mill levy overrides to cover raises, programs, and maintenance as state funding tightens.
By Ethan Mitchell ·
Jeffco Public Schools, the second largest K-12 system in Colorado, is asking voters to approve a combined $133 million in new property taxes. The district placed two separate mill levy override measures on the November 3 ballot. This marks the first time Jeffco has sought such an increase in eight years.
The request comes as state and federal budgets tighten and student enrollment drops. Education officials across the state are turning to local overrides to fill the gap. More than two dozen districts in Colorado have placed similar measures on ballots this election cycle. The budget crunch has already forced metro Denver schools to cut staff, freeze pay, and close buildings.
Jeffco officials warned that additional cuts are coming if the measures fail. The district recently slashed $45 million and eliminated 139 jobs last academic year due to declining enrollment. Ballot Issue 5A seeks $73 million for employee raises and expanded career and technical education. Ballot Issue 5B is a special-purpose mill levy that would raise $60 million for building maintenance, technology upgrades, and security improvements.
If voters approve both Jeffco measures, property taxes would rise by $3.50 per month for every $100,000 of home value. A homeowner with a property valued at $650,000 would see their annual tax bill increase by $273.
Denver Public Schools, the state's largest district, also asked voters to approve a nearly $44 million override. The district plans to direct $25.8 million of that total toward a base salary raise of $1,750 for all employees. Another $4 million would go to career and technical education hubs, and $4.9 million would support mental health and special education services. Charter schools within the district would receive $9.3 million. The tax increase for a home valued at $624,800 would be $72 per year.
Douglas County School District voters considered a $54 million override for ongoing expenses. The district intends to use $21.4 million to provide a 4% salary raise for teachers and other staff. An additional $3.8 million would restore music lessons in elementary schools and fund financial literacy classes. The district recently closed three schools due to low enrollment. The proposed tax increase is $33.70 per year for every $100,000 of home value, equating to $236 annually for a home worth $700,000.
Voting ended at 7 p.m. on Tuesday. Initial results from the three districts were available shortly after polls closed. The measures would allow these districts to collect more revenue than the state-determined per-pupil funding rate currently provides on property taxes.
