El Paso County commissioners advance first reading to extend public safety sales tax to 2037

The El Paso County Board of County Commissioners opened a first reading July 27 on a resolution to refer a ballot question in the Nov. 2026 general election asking voters to extend the expiration date of the county’s 0.23% public safety sales and use tax to Jan. 1, 2037.

"All the same uses for the sheriff's office are preserved in the resolution that is before you today," said Ryan Parcel, executive director of government affairs, who reviewed the measure’s history and provisions. Parcel noted the tax was created by a 2012 ballot measure, originally set to sunset on Jan. 1, 2020, and was later extended in 2018 to Jan. 1, 2029. The current resolution would extend that sunset to Jan. 1, 2037.

Commissioner Applegate confirmed the proposal does not raise the tax rate. "This is a continuation. There's not any increase," Applegate said; Parcel agreed, paraphrasing the ballot language and saying the question would extend, not increase, the tax.

Parcel told the board staff recommends a final vote on Aug. 4, 2026 if the board gives affirmative direction at the second reading. Chair closed the discussion by asking for head nods; after seeing four affirmative nods, the chair scheduled the second reading for Aug. 4.

The resolution maintains the tax’s stated purposes, including law enforcement, criminal justice, emergency response, jail equipment and wildland fire responses, and does not change tax exemptions for taxpayers. No formal roll-call vote was taken at the July 27 meeting; commissioners signaled support by head nods. The board will consider any additional legal clarifications and staff follow-up ahead of the Aug. 4 session.