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SCFD outlines reauthorization plans and local impact to Arapahoe County ahead of 2028 vote
Summary
SCFD executive director Andrea Alba told Arapahoe County commissioners the district will launch listening tours and data analysis ahead of a 2028 reauthorization; Arapahoe residents contributed about $16.4 million to SCFD and county organizations receive roughly $4.2 million directly.
Andrea Alba, executive director of the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD), and Tim Murphy, SCFD program officer, briefed Arapahoe County commissioners on the district’s work and the planned reauthorization process through 2028.
Alba described SCFD as a penny-on‑$10 sales-tax district serving seven counties that funds more than 300 organizations across three statutory funding tiers. "We collect one‑tenth of one cent — a penny on every $10 — in those seven counties," Alba said, and emphasized the district’s economic impact: a 2024 study cited approximately $3.12 billion in related economic activity across the region.
Tim Murphy reviewed Arapahoe-specific metrics: county residents contributed about $16.4 million to SCFD revenue; roughly $4.2 million flows directly back to Arapahoe-based organizations; and there are 36 funded organizations based in the county (including tier‑1 visits totaling about 735,000). Murphy also noted that every public school in the county had programming provided by at least one SCFD-funded organization.
SCFD outlined a five‑phase reauthorization plan (discovery and data analysis, county listening tours and surveys, proposal design, consensus-building and legislative/campaign coordination). Alba said the district has hired a Colorado firm (GBSM) to support engagement and is planning in-person listening events in each county and virtual district-wide meetings; staff will also create a stakeholder advisory group and publish data dashboards to guide proposals.
Commissioners asked about eligibility rules for new organizations, tier definitions and how the district evaluates impact. Alba said eligibility periods and tier thresholds are all on the table for review, and that the district can consider capacity-building carve-outs to help newer organizations access funding. She also invited county support for outreach and suggested coordination opportunities, including participation in community events such as the county fair.
Next steps: SCFD will complete phase 1 and begin listening-tour scheduling in early summer; staff will share data products and follow up with county staff about potential county-hosted listening sessions and fair participation.
