Citizen initiative to continue natural-areas tax certified; council sends it to ballot

The Fort Collins city clerk certified a citizen initiative that would continue the city’s existing one-quarter-cent natural-areas sales-and-use tax and determined the petition had sufficient valid signatures. No protests were filed during the protest period, and City Council adopted a resolution directing staff to place the citizen-initiated ordinance on the November ballot.

Why it matters: The initiative seeks to continue funding for acquisition, restoration, operations and maintenance of the city’s natural areas. Backers collected more than 9,300 signatures and the clerk verified about 6,301 valid signatures (above the 5,070 threshold). The measure, if approved by voters, would extend funding that supports land purchases, habitat restoration and public access programs administered by the city’s Natural Areas Program.

Process and timing: City Clerk Dylan Coldiron reported the petition was submitted in May, validated in July and that the protest period closed with no protests. Under charter rules for tax-related citizen initiatives, the council must refer the citizen-initiated ordinance to the ballot; council adopted the referral resolution by roll call vote, 6–0, with one recusal (Councilmember Olson recused because of participation in the petition effort). The clerk said staff revised ballot language to meet county word limits but made no substantive changes.

Public positions: The Land Conservation Stewardship Board recommended council place the initiative on the ballot. Supporters who spoke at council urged that continuing the tax would preserve habitat, maintain trails and protect conservation investments in perpetuity. Some public commenters asked for clarity about geographic distribution of natural-area purchases and about ensuring that tax dollars support lands accessible to the community; staff and supporters said the measure’s language ties funding to acquisition, restoration, operations and maintenance for natural areas.

What’s next: The initiative will go to the November ballot. If voters approve it, the tax will continue funding Natural Areas acquisition and stewardship; staff said it will publish voter information that explains intended uses and the city clerk will finalize ballot wording consistent with Larimer County rules.

Context note: Supporters said the measure is written to allow land acquisitions and stewardship “in perpetuity” and to secure funding without expiration; opponents in public comment raised concerns about purchases far from the city that some residents would not visit. Councilmembers and staff said the ballot materials and voter information guide will explain the measure and clarify purchase and stewardship intent.