Boulder County commissioners have referred a ballot measure to county voters for the November election that would increase property taxes to fund child care and preschool programs.
If passed, the measure would impose a property tax increase of 2.579 mills to raise approximately $30 million annually, beginning in tax collection year 2027. According to the ballot language, the tax would equate to approximately $115 per year on a home valued at $725,000 based on current assessment rates.
The measure would address three areas: lowering the cost of child care and preschool for county families, increasing compensation for child care and preschool teachers and staff, and addressing capacity shortages by expanding services and reducing waitlists.
The commissioners held a public hearing on July 23 and adopted the final ballot language at an August 18 business meeting.