Florissant Fire Seeks More Property Tax Mills

Under Issue 6C, the Florissant Fire Protection District would levy an additional 3.2 mills of property tax with no end date. As an example, at 3.2 mills, $100,000 of taxable assessed value pays $320 a year. The question names $320,000 for tax collection year 2027 and, after that, whatever the 3.2 mills raise each year. It directs the money "TO FUND CRITICAL CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS TO DISTRICT FACILITIES, INFRASTRUCTURE AND EQUIPMENT, WHILE SUPPORTING THE CONTINUED DELIVERY OF FIRE PROTECTION, EMERGENCY MEDICAL, AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE SERVICES."

The state's 2025 levy data for the district lists a general levy of 4.85 mills and a capital levy of 1 mill, 5.85 mills in all, on a total assessed value of $96,892,880. The table lists the capital levy's revenue at $96,892.88.

At an informal session, Chief John Buchan said the district's department, Florissant Fire Rescue, has 72 active volunteers, that about six respond to each call, and that he is its only paid staff member, the Pikes Peak Courier reported in February. Medical calls made up 61% of the district's calls in 2025, the Courier reported, and the district's recurring costs had risen 15% a year for fire service and 33% a year for EMS since 2020. The department's goals are an ISO Class 3 rating, aimed at lowering premiums for property owners and getting owners who have lost insurance covered again, and an average response time under 10 minutes. The department hopes to add seven fire hydrants, and it needs generators so the water in its tenders does not freeze during a power outage.

At the same session, treasurer LeAnne Spicer said, "Operational wise, we're good, but that could change at any time." Board secretary Mark Harter said another ballot initiative was necessary and that the district had not had a mill levy increase in 22 years. Buchan said a merger of the Florissant, Four-Mile and Divide districts had been looked at, and that a merged district's levy would be held at the highest of the three. He also asked, "Am I going to have to cut services?"

A yes vote makes the tax proceeds and the investment income on them a permanent voter-approved revenue change from tax year 2026 on. The district keeps that money without regard to Article X, Section 20 of the Colorado Constitution (TABOR), sections 29-1-301 and 29-1-1702 (the 5.25% property tax limit) of the Colorado Revised Statutes, or any other law limiting its revenue or spending, as it exists now or as it may be enacted or amended. The approval does not limit, in any year, the other revenue the district may collect and spend. A no vote means the 3.2 mills are not added.