Summit County Strong Future Property Tax Extension

Summit County voters approved the Strong Future property tax in 2018 as Referred Measure 1A. The referring resolution presented to the county commissioners on August 11, 2026, calls it a temporary mill levy, and a memo of the same date from the county manager and county attorney says its funding is due to expire in 2028. This year's Referred Measure 1A extends the existing 4.652-mill levy from January 1, 2028, and continues it with no end date. As an example, at 4.652 mills, $10,000 of taxable assessed value pays $46.52 a year. The resolution describes the extension as ongoing "in perpetuity." The question says it raises no additional taxes, and the resolution says the existing levy can be extended without any increased tax rate.

The money goes to wildfire prevention; mental health, substance abuse services and suicide prevention programs for Summit County youth and adults; affordable early childhood care and learning for families and workers; improving public buildings and community facilities and extending their useful life; and recycling and waste diversion. The county spends it "in consideration of" recommendations from an independent citizen advisory committee, and an independent financial audit reviews it every year.

A yes vote lets Summit County collect and spend the levy's revenue as a voter-approved revenue change, without limitation or condition under Article X, Section 20 of the Colorado Constitution (the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights, or TABOR) or any other law. The resolution says TABOR requires a vote to extend an expiring levy, and that state law requires one for a levy that may exceed the annual limit on property tax increases. The county manager's memo says the extension will not raise any tax rates or result in increased revenues under TABOR. A no vote leaves the levy's funding due to expire in 2028.

The resolution names wildfire as the county's greatest hazard risk, with homes built among forest fuels and millions of trees killed by pine beetle infestations and past droughts. It says Strong Future funds helped create more than 20 mental health and suicide prevention programs at 13 local organizations, added 100 early childcare slots and provided tuition credits to over 1,400 local families and workers. The supporters' comment in the county's election notice lists approximately $1 million invested annually in wildfire mitigation and two new recycling centers. No one filed comments against the measure by the constitutional deadline. An issue committee, Locals for 1A Strong Futures, registered with the Secretary of State on August 26, 2026, to pass the question.