El Paso County residents will head to the polls on November 3 to vote on Ballot Issue 1A, a measure that would extend the existing 0.23 % public‑safety sales and use tax until January 1, 2037. The proposal does not raise the tax rate or create a new tax; it simply continues the dedicated funding stream that voters approved in previous elections.
What the tax funds
The public‑safety tax is earmarked for core county responsibilities that grow with the community. Revenue may be used only for:
- Law‑enforcement staffing, training and equipment
- Jail operations and staffing, including the El Paso County jail that serves agencies across the county
- Criminal investigations, extraditions and related technology
- Communications and technology that become obsolete
- Vehicles and operational supplies
- Wild‑land fire staffing, equipment and emergency response
These services protect residents in Colorado Springs, Falcon, Fountain, Monument and the many unincorporated areas that rely on countywide safety infrastructure.
Increased accountability
Issue 1A adds a transparency requirement: the Office of the Sheriff must report both revenue and expenditures annually at a Board of County Commissioners hearing. This direct line of oversight gives taxpayers a clearer view of how their dollars are spent, rather than leaving the process hidden from public view.
What happens if the tax is not renewed?
Should voters reject the measure, the county would still face the same public‑safety costs. Those expenses would have to be absorbed by other county revenues or by cutting funding to other services. The renewal therefore safeguards essential services without demanding additional taxes.
Sunset provision
Issue 1A is not a permanent tax. It includes a sunset clause that requires future renewals, ensuring voters retain the final say. If the Sheriff’s Office demonstrates responsible stewardship of the funds, the community can choose to continue the tax at the next renewal cycle.
Why a “yes” vote matters
A “yes” vote keeps a proven financing tool that supports the county jail, patrol and investigative units, and the critical wild‑land fire response capacity that protects families and property across El Paso County. By extending the tax, voters affirm their commitment to safe neighborhoods, strong law‑enforcement agencies and accountable government.
For more information on the ballot measure, visit the El Paso County elections website or contact the County Clerk’s office.
Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.
