CONTACT:
Anthony Sandstrom
Pueblo West Metropolitan District
Communications and Public Engagement Specialist
asandstrom@pwmd-co.us
(719) 352-2741
November 10, 2022
For Immediate Release
PUEBLO WEST, Colo. โ Pueblo West voters have signaled their approval for Pueblo West Metropolitan District Ballot Question 6D, which raises the allowable spending cap for funds raised from a 1% sales tax for fire protection approved by voters in 2020.
According to vote counts released by the Pueblo County Elections Department as of Wednesday evening, the ballot question passed with approval of approximately 61% of eligible Pueblo West voters.
The approval of Ballot Question 6D will not result in any additional taxes.
โOur voters have once again voiced their support for our local firefighters,โ said Brian Caserta, Pueblo West Fire Chief and Pueblo West Metropolitan District Chief Administrator. โThe passage of Ballot Question 6D further adds to the Pueblo West Fire Departmentโs resources, allowing us to better protect our citizens.โ
In 2020, Pueblo West voters approved Ballot Question 6A, which allowed for a temporary 1% sales tax increase to fund several fire department needs. Those included the construction of a new fire station to serve the western portion of Pueblo West, the hiring of new firefighters to staff the station, fire truck replacements, and maintenance and upkeep of the fire department and fire protection resources. The tax will sunset by 2030.
According to the language of 2020 Ballot Question 6A, a maximum of $2.5 million annually could be spent from the sales tax revenue. However, in 2021, the tax raised approximately $5 million, and a similar amount is expected in 2022. With the approval of Ballot Question 6D, the annual cap has now been increased to $5 million, allowing for more needs to be addressed.
โPueblo West covers an area of about 50 square miles, which is similar to the City of Pueblo. To ensure public safety to the level our residents deserve, we must continually address the needs of our community. With the passage of Ballot Issue 6D, we can ensure greater fire protection for Pueblo West,โ Caserta said.
About the Pueblo West Metropolitan District:
The Pueblo West Metropolitan District serves approximately 33,000 citizens living in a 50-square-mile unincorporated portion of Pueblo County located approximately eight miles west of the City of Pueblo. Unlike municipalities, Pueblo West is a special district that is authorized to provide five services to residents โ limited covenant enforcement, fire protection, parks and recreation, public works, and water and wastewater utilities. The District is governed by a five-member Board of Directors who are elected by registered voters consisting of Pueblo West residents and property owners.
