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Collbran trustees adopt 2026 budget and certify property tax levy
Summary
The Town of Collbran Board of Trustees approved the 2026 budget and certified the 2025 property tax levy at its Dec. 9 meeting, with officials saying deficits will be covered from the town's fund balance and staff planning further rate studies.
The Collbran Board of Trustees on Dec. 9 adopted the town's 2026 budget and certified the property tax levy for 2025 to finance the coming year. The board approved Resolutions 2025-23 and 2025-24 to adopt the budget and annual appropriation, and separately approved Resolution 2025-25 to certify and levy general property taxes.
Town Clerk Travis Boyd summarized the proposed budget, describing an identified general fund shortfall and explaining that the $304,000 deficit would be bridged from the town's fund balance and directing members to the fund-balance analysis in the packet. Boyd also said the sewer fund includes contingencies for potential repairs to aging infrastructure. On questions about a Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) water grant, Boyd said grant-funded expenditures can be brought to the board later for approval because they would be reimbursed by the grant.
Mayor Lietz, in opening remarks earlier in the meeting, said the board would "work together, collaborate with everyone and get caught up, one thing at a time," and emphasized expectations of professionalism and a focus on solutions. When asked why budgeted items such as fireworks appeared in the draft despite not being spent last year, Mayor Lietz said, "We took last year's budget and added a percentage of increase so we can move forward." Boyd added, "It is important to add money at the beginning but just because it is in the budget doesn't mean we have to spend it."
Trustees voted unanimously to approve the budget and the tax levy. The motions were recorded as follows: Resolutions 2025-23 & 2025-24 (budget adoption) — moved by Trustee Winkleblack, seconded by Mayor Lietz; vote 5-0. Resolution 2025-25 (certify and levy property taxes) — moved by Mayor Pro Tem Price, seconded by Trustee Staley; vote 5-0.
Clerk Boyd and Town Council Chris McAnany also addressed questions about the town's mill levy history and statutory constraints on using the temporary property tax credit. McAnany said the town chose not to use the credit because recent property value increases and statutory limits on mill-levy changes reduced its benefit. The packet lists the town's mill levy at 6.046 mills for the current year and cited the previous year at about 7.14 mills.
The board directed staff to pursue a fee-rate study and to bring additional details to future meetings. The board concluded budget action and moved on to other agenda items.
