Broomfield housing task force requests $15,000–$20,000 poll to test voter appetite for $10M/year local housing measure

Martin Dormish, a Ward 1 resident and representative of the Broomfield Housing Stability Task Force, told the City Council the task force is seeking municipal support to pay for a scientifically conducted poll (estimated by the task force at $15,000–$20,000) to measure voter support for a potential local ballot measure to raise roughly $10 million per year for housing stability programs.

The task force described its remit and research: the Broomfield Housing Solutions Forum and the task force estimate a communitywide gap of about $15 million per year in funding for rehousing, tenant stabilization and unit preservation/creation. Dormish said the task force’s two proposed revenue mechanisms are a roughly 0.5 percentage point local sales tax (exempting basics such as food and prescriptions) that would raise about $10 million annually, or a commercial construction excise tax; the group is also considering a combination of both. "Our hope is to raise $10,000,000 per year through a local sales tax increase and/or a construction excise tax on commercial development," Dormish said.

Dormish asked council two things: authorize funds for a scientifically conducted poll between mid‑April and mid‑May, and commit to referring a measure to the fall 2025 ballot if polling indicates roughly 60% or higher support (and to consider referral in the 55–60% range). Melissa Mejia of Switchboard Strategies, who the task force engaged as a consultant, told council that successful outreach and detailed, specific polling questions will be essential and that other Colorado jurisdictions have used similar revenue mechanisms.

Public commenters at the meeting largely supported the idea. Council members debated the timing and political feasibility. Several council members said they supported using city funds to pay for the poll to gather data; at least one council member said they would not support placing a measure on the ballot this year even if the poll showed majority support. Council generally agreed to fund a poll and to evaluate referral depending on the poll outcome: staff and multiple council members indicated they would consider referral if polling reached an industry standard threshold of ~60% support and might discuss referral or other options if polling fell between 55 and 60%.

Ending: Council gave the task force direction to proceed with the scientific polling effort and indicated the city would partner on funding the poll; no formal binding vote was taken to place a measure on the ballot. The task force will return with poll results and further detail before any formal council vote to refer a tax measure.