Larimer County commissioners refer 0.15% transportation sales tax to November ballot

The Larimer County Board of County Commissioners voted 3-0 on Aug. 12 to place a proposed 0.15% countywide transportation sales and use tax on the Nov. 4, 2025 coordinated election ballot.

The revenue, if approved by voters, would take effect Jan. 1, 2026, run for 15 years and is intended to fund road, bridge and other transportation improvements limited to the county’s unincorporated system. County staff estimate the measure would generate about $15 million a year on average; the resolution includes the higher statutory first-year estimate of $17,400,000.

The ballot measure and accompanying transportation master plan — Larimer on the Move — were the product of multi-year planning and public outreach, county staff said. Leslie Ellis, director of community planning, infrastructure and resources, told commissioners the plan identifies roughly $650 million in prioritized projects and that the county’s current capital funding of about $7 million a year covers roughly 14% of that need.

“We anticipate that without the funding source, we would be looking at some cuts in those essential transportation projects,” Ellis said during the Aug. 12 presentation. She said the proposed tax excludes groceries and prescription drugs and is aimed at safety, resiliency and mobility across the unincorporated county.

Business groups and residents spoke in favor during public comment. Anne Hutchinson, president and CEO of the Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce, told commissioners the chamber “strongly endorse[s] the referral of a .15% sales and use tax for transportation to the 2025 ballot,” and emphasized that “15¢ on a $100 purchase” would help finish projects such as the widening of North College/Highway 25 and regional feeder roads. Bill Becker of the Loveland Chamber of Commerce said local employers support the measure to address safety and congestion. Resident Connor Duffy told the board he supported the tax as an investment in road safety for students and other drivers.

Commissioners and staff discussed how local funding can leverage state and federal grants that often require local matches. Mark Peterson, county engineer, gave project cost examples: a half-mile, four-lane urban arterial (Taft Hill extension) is estimated at about $12 million; corridor and intersection improvements can exceed $20 million.

If approved, county staff said they would quickly move from planning to design and prioritization through the county’s capital improvement plan and annual project process, and the resolution commits to annual public reporting on spending and project status.

The resolution was moved by Commissioner Jody Shattuck McNally and seconded (motion recorded). The roll-call vote was: Kristen Stevens, chair — yes; Jody Shattuck McNally — yes; John Kefalas — yes. The motion passed 3 to 0.

The resolution text included statutory and ballot language required by state law, and the staff recommended a few minor editorial corrections to the version for signature. The resolution and the transportation plan materials are posted on the county’s InvestInLarimer.co web page and on the county engineering and planning web pages.

Implementation details offered by staff include a January 1, 2026 effective date if voters approve the measure, 15-year sunset, exclusion lists for exempt purchases and an annual public reporting requirement so residents can track projects and expenditures.

The commissioners approved the referral during the Aug. 12 administrative matters meeting; voters will decide the measure on Nov. 4, 2025.