Voters Reject Centennial Tax Hike by 60 Percent Margin
Residents voted down a sales tax increase intended to fund a $100 million transportation plan, forcing the city to confront a funding gap by 2028.
By Alina Marshall ·
60.24 percent of Centennial, Colorado voters opposed a sales tax increase on Tuesday, rejecting a measure that would have raised the local rate from 2.5 percent to 3.5 percent. The proposal failed with 39.76 percent of the vote in favor, ending a campaign that centered on aging infrastructure and flat revenue.
Mayor Christine Sweetland expressed disappointment with the result. She noted that a poll earlier in the year showed 59 percent support for increased spending on infrastructure. Sweetland attributed the shift in public sentiment to rising gas and food prices, which she said impacted voters' pocketbooks despite not being taxed directly by the city.
The city had identified a transportation master plan containing over $100 million in projects. Sweetland stated that current revenues are flattening as major retail anchors like Best Buy, Macy's, and Sears have closed. She explained that the traditional strategy of saving for major repairs is no longer viable, citing a 10-year savings period required for a bridge repair over Arapahoe Road.
The proposed measure, known as 2A, was designed to generate approximately $27 million annually. These funds were earmarked for paving, bridge repairs, traffic signals, snow removal, and street sweeping. Sweetland warned that without the new revenue, transportation costs could outpace available funding by 2028.
City officials face immediate budgetary challenges. Sweetland stated that the city requires $35 million for everyday infrastructure maintenance but only has $15 million set aside for that purpose. She indicated that the council will need to decide whether to cut road maintenance or reduce other services, such as the number of deputies on the street.
In a release, the city stated that all services would be reviewed and reprioritized, excluding parks and open space which have restricted funding. The 2027 budget was drafted before the election results were known. However, Sweetland said 2028 will likely require difficult choices to address the shortfall.
Some projects will proceed regardless of the vote. Sweetland confirmed that the Easter Road project and the underpass under Arapahoe Road will continue, as they are largely funded by the federal infrastructure plan.
