Local measure · Jefferson County
Jefferson County School District R-1 (Jeffco Public Schools) 5BJeffco Schools capital and maintenance levy
In plain words
- Would create a capital levy of about $60 million in 2026 (collected 2027) and annually after that, tied to the Debt Free Schools Act, with inflation (CPI) adjustments permitted after the first full year.
- Uses: capital construction, technology and maintenance, including roofs, heating and cooling, plumbing, parking lots, aging technology, and safety and security.
- About $7 million goes to Jeffco charter schools (Chalkbeat).
- A board-appointed citizens' committee would review spending.
Cost: About $120 per year for a median-value home (Denver Gazette).
Our summary of the official materials and local reporting.
What your vote means
YES
Authorizes the roughly $60 million per year capital levy.
NO
No new capital levy.
Our plain-words summary.
Why people want it, and why others object
Why supporters want it
- District says it needs funds for deferred repairs and aging systems; its online facilities explorer shows building conditions (Denver Gazette). District leaders say without funds Jeffco will likely close more schools, lay off staff or freeze salaries (Chalkbeat). source: chalkbeat.org
Why opponents object
- Tom Coyne (notyetjeffco.org) cites the audit finding 89% of 2018 bond projects ran over budget; critics also raise affordability concerns (Denver Gazette). source: denvergazette.com
Who backs each side
- Not reported in sources reviewed. source: denvergazette.com
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 Jefferson County sample ballot.
Jefferson County School District R-1 Ballot Issue 5B
SHALL JEFFERSON COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT R-1 TAXES BE INCREASED $60 MILLION IN 2026 FOR COLLECTION IN 2027, AND ANNUALLY THEREAFTER, AND UTILIZED FOR THE PURPOSES AUTHORIZED AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 22-54-108.7, C.R.S., (THE DEBT FREE SCHOOLS ACT), PROVIDED THAT SUCH REVENUE MAY BE INCREASED ANNUALLY (AFTER THE FIRST FULL FISCAL YEAR) FOR INFLATION BASED ON THE ANNUAL CHANGES IN THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX; WITH SUCH REVENUE TO BE DEPOSITED INTO A DEDICATED FUND ONLY TO BE USED FOR CAPITAL CONSTRUCTION, TECHNOLOGY, AND MAINTENANCE, AND UTILIZED FOR AUTHORIZED PURPOSES SUCH AS: - CRITICAL UPGRADES AND MAINTENANCE OF SCHOOLS SUCH AS PLUMBING IMPROVEMENTS, PARKING LOT REPAIRS, AND REPLACING OR REPAIRING FAULTY, DANGEROUS, AND LEAKING ROOFS; - PROVIDING AND REPAIRING COOLING, HEATING, AND VENTILATION SYSTEMS FOR A BETTER LEARNING ENVIRONMENT; - REPLACING AND UPDATING AGING INFRASTRUCTURE AND TECHNOLOGY; - SAFETY AND SECURITY INVESTMENTS SUCH AS SECURE ACCESS AND MONITORING; AND SHALL THE SPENDING OF SUCH TAXES BE REVIEWED BY A BOARD-APPOINTED CITIZENS' COMMITTEE FOR ACCOUNTABILITY, SUMMARIZED IN ANNUAL PUBLIC REPORTS, AND POSTED PUBLICLY ON A WEBSITE FOR FULL TRANSPARENCY; AND SHALL A MILL LEVY BE IMPOSED AT A RATE SUFFICIENT TO GENERATE REVENUES UP TO SUCH AMOUNT SPECIFIED ABOVE, 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?
- YES/FOR
- NO/AGAINST
Latest news
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What people are saying
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