Douglas County School District RE-1 5ADCSD mill levy override
In plain words
- Raises about $54 million in 2026-27 (collected 2027) for general fund purposes: teacher pay, school security, career and technical education, and elementary instrumental music.
- Requires an annual independent audit and a citizens oversight committee.
- State law requires about $12 million to be shared with charter schools if approved (Colorado Politics).
- District's current rate is 18.1 mills, down from 22.5 in 2013 (Denver Gazette, April 2026).
Cost: About $33.70 per year per $100,000 of assessed value, or about $236 per year on a $700,000 home (Colorado Politics, Denver Gazette). Estimated 2026-27 district spending without increase: $879,274,454 (TABOR notice).
Our summary of the official materials and local reporting.
What your vote means
Approves the $54 million per year property tax increase.
No override; district keeps current funding.
Our plain-words summary.
Why people want it, and why others object
Why supporters want it
- Superintendent Erin Kane says rising property values cut state aid under the school finance formula, the district's tax rate has declined for a decade, and starting salaries trail Jeffco, Littleton, Cherry Creek and Denver (Denver Gazette). TABOR notice pro comments cite CTE waitlists and restoring elementary instrumental music. source: denvergazette.com
Why opponents object
- Colorado Politics reports opponents cite affordability and tax fatigue, question whether more revenue is needed, and are skeptical of district financial management. No opposing comment was filed in the TABOR notice. source: coloradopolitics.com
Who backs each side
No public record found of a campaign committee or campaign money for either side.
In each side's own words where we could find them, quoted or summarized with a link to the source. We don't endorse either side.
Official ballot wording
Official ballot wording, word for word (tap to open)
Word for word from the Douglas County sample ballot (PDF ).
Douglas County School District RE-1 Ballot Issue 5A
SHALL DOUGLAS COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT RE-1 TAXES BE INCREASED $54 MILLION COMMENCING IN 2026 FOR TAX COLLECTION IN YEAR 2027 TO BE USED FOR GENERAL FUND PURPOSES INCLUDING: RETAIN AND ATTRACT TOP QUALITY TEACHERS AND STAFF, WITH SALARIES TO BE MORE COMPETITIVE WITH NEIGHBORING DISTRICTS, AND TO BETTER KEEP PACE WITH INFLATION; SUPPORT INCREASING COSTS OF SCHOOL SECURITY, INCLUDING SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS; REDUCE STUDENT WAITLISTS FOR CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION PROGRAMMING, INCLUDING THE TRADES; RESTORE STUDENT PROGRAMMING, SUCH AS INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS; AND BE IMPOSED ANNUALLY THEREAFTER FOR THE ABOVE PURPOSES BY WHATEVER AMOUNTS ARE RAISED BY THE IMPOSITION OF A MILL LEVY WHICH, WHEN COMBINED WITH PRIOR VOTER APPROVED OVERRIDE QUESTIONS, SHALL PRODUCE REVENUE NOT TO EXCEED THE LIMIT ESTABLISHED FOR THE DISTRICT BY SECTION 22-54-108(3)(B) (VI), C.R.S., AND SHALL THE REVENUES FROM SUCH TAXES AND ANY EARNINGS FROM THE INVESTMENT OF SUCH REVENUES BE COLLECTED AND SPENT AS A VOTER APPROVED REVENUE CHANGE UNDER ARTICLE X, SECTION 20 OF THE COLORADO CONSTITUTION AND ANY OTHER LAW; AND SHALL THE DISTRICT'S EXPENDITURES BE SUBJECT TO AN ANNUAL INDEPENDENT AUDIT POSTED ON ITS WEBSITE AND BE SUBJECT TO OVERSIGHT BY A CITIZENS' COMMITTEE?
- YES/FOR
- NO/AGAINST
Latest news
Recent reporting from a range of outlets, newest first. We link to it; we don't endorse it.
No articles collected yet for this measure.
What people are saying
Official campaign accounts on each side, and public posts. Links only: nothing here loads from social media sites. We link to posts; we don't endorse them.
No official campaign accounts listed yet.
No official campaign accounts listed yet.