In 2024, Longmont residents will be asked to vote on one ballot issue. This is the Open Space Tax Extension ballot issue #3A that reads:
Without increasing tax rates or imposing any new tax, shall the city of Longmont’s existing two-tenths of a cent sales tax for open space purposes, currently set to sunset in 2034, be extended indefinitely with the revenues generated from such taxes continuing to be used to acquire, improve, and maintain open space for purposes including but not limited to:

preservation of natural areas, wildlife habitat, wetlands, agriculture and visual corridors; and
district parks devoted to low-impact recreational uses?

What are voters being asked to do?

The proposed Open Space Sales and Use Tax ballot issue will ask voters to extend Longmont’s current Open Space Sales and Use Tax. This is not a tax increase, but an extension of the current 0.2 cent tax, which amounts to 2 cents on every $10 spent. This tax is Longmont’s funding source used to acquire and maintain Longmont’s open space land and water. Unless voters approve this extension, this tax will expire in 2034.

What does Longmont’s Open Space Program do?

Over the past 24 years, Longmont’s Open Space Program has used the Open Space Sales and Use Tax to:

Protect and care for more than 3,200 acres of open space on 30 properties.
Protect over 3,000 acres of open space with conservation easements, preserving natural habitats, scenic views, agriculture, and outdoor recreation.
Preserve 1,600 acres of historic agricultural lands, supporting local farmers and their operations.
Grow an open space volunteer and education program which contributed 4,530 service hours valued at $145,000 in 2023.
Build 11 primary greenway trails connecting residents to over 36 miles of recreational trails including the St. Vrain, Spring Gulch, Left Hand, and Dry Creek Greenway trails.

What’s next for Longmont’s Open Space program?

Update the Open Space Master Plan to ensure the use of current best practices.
Complete the final two phases of the St. Vrain Greenway Trail that will connect Longmont’s trail into Boulder County’s trail system west of Golden Ponds and into St. Vrain State Park’s trail system east of Sandstone Ranch Nature Area.
Build both the Union Reservoir Interim Trail and the County Road 26 Multiuse Trail.
Acquire land for open space as opportunities arise and dedicate resources to long-term land restoration.
Maintain and restore open space for use by future generations.

Why are voters being asked to approve this tax extension now?

The current Open Space Sales and Use Tax ends in 2034. Making this tax permanent allows for ongoing planning and projects, such as land preservation, regional trail projects, and maintenance.

What is this tax money used for?

Planning Developing and implementing management plans, preparing technical and baseline reports, and conducting long-term strategic planning. View the latest Open Space Master Plan update at longmontcolorado.gov/OpenSpacePlan.
Capital Improvement Projects Investing in large-scale projects such as regional and multimodal trail design and construction.
Acquisitions Purchasing properties, protecting land with conservation easements, acquiring mineral rights, and preserving historic water rights for farms and fish
Maintenance Ongoing maintenance of open spaces including planting native species, controlling noxious weeds, managing wildlife, and controlling erosion
Restoration Recovering the ecological function of ecosystems by increasing native plant diversity that wildlife depends on, reintroducing grazing and prescribed fire, and improving stream health by reshaping channels. Restoration makes ecosystems more resilient to climate change and natural disasters like wildfires and floods

What will voting “yes” in support of this ballot initiative cost residents?

There is no increased tax to residents. This is a proposed extension of an existing 0.2 cent per dollar tax or 2 cents for every $10 purchase. It would extend the tax indefinitely to support Longmont Open Space.

Those who want voters to vote “yes” believe it:

Provides a dedicated funding source for open space preservation, maintenance, and regional trail development.
Supports an improved quality of life, providing nearby access to outdoor recreation and nature and protecting wildlife, habitat, watersheds, pollinators, biodiversity, and historic farmland.
May stabilize or increase land values, especially those adjacent to open space and trails.

Those who want voters to vote “no” believe it:

Will extend the duration of the existing sales tax.
May take some properties off the tax rolls.
Might increase land prices, even though the program is intended to pay fair market values.

The above information is provided by the City of Longmont and is intended to provide a factual summary of an issue of official concern to Longmont voters. It is not intended to urge a vote in favor or against the existing Open Space Sales and Use Tax extension.