Clear Creek leaders consider sales tax, mill-levy and outreach after fire authority survey

Clear Creek County officials and municipal leaders met in a joint session to review a mailed public survey on the Clear Creek Fire Authority and to discuss next steps for funding, public education and intergovernmental coordination.

Consultant Bill Ray, who presented the survey results, told the group the authority "has a high approval rating," and that respondents also showed a "strong rating of confidence handling tax dollars." Ray said the survey was mailed in late November to about 35,100 households and closed Dec. 10 with 344 responses, which he described as a good return for the type of mailer used.

Ray summarized respondents' top concerns as wildfire risk and housing costs and said 68% of respondents agreed the authority "needs to address the challenges presented by reductions in volunteer staffing, increased call volume, traffic, wildfire risk, and seek a sales tax to maintain improved service levels." He reported that support for a purely property-tax increase (14.67 mills in the survey materials) was much weaker than support for a sales-tax option; a 1.45% countywide sales-tax proposal averaged a 3.34 rating on a 1-to-5 scale among respondents, while the property-tax option averaged 2.52. A blended option combining sales and property taxes averaged 3.16.

Participants discussed the trade-offs among funding choices and how different ZIP-code and age cohorts responded. Several municipal representatives and commissioners noted that a countywide sales tax would shift some costs to visitors and pass-through traffic on I-70, but they also raised concerns about raising municipal sales-tax rates and the regressive nature of sales taxes for fixed-income residents. Commissioners and municipal leaders said the community repeatedly raised the cost of I-70 responses and questioned whether CDOT or the state could cover those costs; presenters said that perception is widespread and will need clear public education.

Officials agreed on these near-term actions: continue coordinated messaging that explains the fire authority's role, the share of calls that are highway/visitor-related, and taxpayer accountability; engage Evergreen Fire Rescue and other neighboring agencies about shared impacts and possible revenue-sharing or “pass-back” mechanisms; and develop a frequently asked questions (FAQ) and press release responding to the survey and common public comments. The group scheduled a follow-up meeting for Feb. 10 at 1 p.m. to review draft FAQs, a timeline of critical dates for any ballot measures, and initial revenue scenarios.

No formal motion or vote was recorded at the meeting. Several presenters and elected officials emphasized the political risk of running multiple ballot measures in quick succession and recommended one clear, coordinated campaign and outreach plan if officials decide to place a measure before voters. Participants also discussed the county's broader fiscal needs beyond fire service funding, including county general-fund pressures that some commissioners said deserve parallel attention.

Speakers urged a multi-pronged outreach effort targeted to the county's older likely-voter population—about 41% of the survey’s likely-voter sample were 65 or older—using infographics, short videos, mailers, radio and in-person tabling at community events. Multiple participants recommended identifying local opinion leaders and business owners for early engagement and noted that a clear ballot language (TABOR/TABOR language) will be essential before finalizing a asking amount.

The meeting closed with county and municipal staff agreeing to draft the FAQ and press release, pursue conversations with Evergreen Fire Rescue, and return with recommended next steps in early February. No formal vote or ordinance was taken.