The Estes Valley Fire Protection District Board voted 3-2 Monday night to begin exploring a possible November 2026 ballot measure that would ask voters to approve a new sales tax to provide the district with long-term financial independence from the Town of Estes Park.
The vote followed more than an hour of discussion during a special meeting and capped a debate over whether the district should move quickly to capitalize on what supporters described as favorable political conditions or wait until 2027 to allow more time for planning and public outreach.
Board President Sandra Smith and Directors Jon “Hippy” Smith and Ryan Leahy voted to authorize staff to issue a request for proposals for an election consultant and a public opinion survey. Vice President Scott Dorman and Director Jeff Robbins voted against the motion.
The action does not place a tax measure on the ballot. Instead, it begins the process of gathering proposals and conducting polling to determine whether voters are likely to support the measure and whether the district is prepared to mount a successful campaign.
“We owe it to the people to try for that heavy lift,” Smith said, arguing that wildfire concerns and higher turnout in a general election could improve the district’s chances of success.
Why the district is considering a new tax
The EVFPD is funded through a property tax mill levy and annual financial support from the Town of Estes Park. That arrangement could change.
The town board would like to redirect its contribution to the fire district to help fund a new public safety facility that would house the Estes Park Police Department and a critical incident command and operations center.
Town officials have identified a town-owned parcel at the northwest corner of Community Drive and Manford Avenue as the preferred site for the facility.
The police department currently occupies remodeled space in town hall, a former elementary school built in the 1930s, which was deemed “entirely inadequate” in the town’s 2022 Facilities Master Plan.
The report found that the building compromises emergency response and officer safety and lacks secure parking, adequate evidence storage, interview rooms, training space, and a permanent emergency operations center.
The town has budgeted $300,000 for planning and design, is pursuing a $200,000 grant from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs, and has secured a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Construction is tentatively projected between 2028 and 2030.
If the town redirects its funding, district leaders say EVFPD will need another dependable revenue source to sustain operations, replace equipment, and address long-term capital needs.
Chief recommended waiting until 2027
In a memo to the board, Interim Fire Chief Warren Jones recommended delaying any revenue election until November 2027 rather than pursuing a ballot measure in 2026 or during the lower-turnout May 2027 election.
Jones said staff contacted seven consulting firms after the board directed him on April 27 to seek advice on the feasibility of a 2026 election. Five firms responded, but only one — The Bighorn Company — submitted a complete proposal.
Four firms declined to bid. One, Public Alignment, specifically advised against a 2026 election, writing that there was “definitely not sufficient time for an effective effort in 2026.”
The Bighorn Company, a Colorado-based political and communications consulting firm, proposed conducting interviews, reviewing district documents, analyzing voter data, and presenting a recommendation to the board by the week of June 8.
The proposed fee would not exceed $10,000.
Jones noted that Bighorn would not complete its work until mid-June, leaving less than four months to prepare for the Nov. 3 election while the district is also conducting a search for a new fire chief.
Three recommendations from Chief Jones
In his memo and presentation to the board, Jones recommended scheduling a revenue election for November 2027, creating a financial independence task force made up of internal and external stakeholders, and implementing the district’s public information and external communications strategy adopted earlier this year.
Jones said a task force modeled after the citizen committee that helped create the fire district in 2009 would strengthen public trust and improve the district’s chances of success.
The communications plan would help to educate residents about district services and funding and expand outreach through social media, newsletters, presentations, open houses, and a proposed citizen fire academy.
Survey viewed as key decision point
The board also reviewed a preliminary proposal from Magellan Strategies, which specializes in polling for fire districts and local governments.
The survey, which Jones estimated would cost about $20,000, would measure voters’ understanding of the district, attitudes toward its financial stewardship, and support for a potential ballot measure.
Combined with consulting costs, the exploratory phase could cost between $20,000 and $30,000. The district has about $30,000 budgeted this year for election-related expenses that have not yet been assigned.
Leahy said the survey would be worthwhile even if the district ultimately postpones a ballot measure.
“Any time we can get a feel from our constituents and how they feel about us, I think that’s a good thing,” Leahy said.
Debate over timing and readiness
Dorman, who helped lead the successful 2009 campaign to create the district, urged the board to take more time.
“You need to take the time to answer the questions from the general public,” Dorman said. “Having that engagement with the community is really important.”
“I still have big reservations as to whether we’re putting this whole thing together the right way,” Robbins said, echoing the concerns raised by Dorman and Jones.
After the vote, both directors said they would support the board’s decision to move forward.
“I’m on the team,” Robbins said. “I’ll do what I have to do.”
Voter turnout and past election history
Jones told the board that turnout data suggests a November 2026 coordinated election would offer the district its best chance for success outside a presidential election year.
Presidential elections typically draw more than 80 percent turnout in the district. Comparable midterm elections attract roughly 60 to 70 percent, while odd-year elections draw significantly fewer voters.
In May 2023, voters rejected a $2.9 million property tax increase by 81 votes. Turnout was 2,811 voters, or about 35 percent of eligible voters.
Supporters of a sales tax say it would spread the cost of fire protection to the millions of visitors who come to Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park each year, rather than relying solely on property owners.
Next steps
The board directed Jones to prepare and issue a request for proposals and return with responses at a future special meeting, when the board will decide whether to hire an election consultant.
If the consultant and survey results indicate strong voter support, the board could decide to place a sales tax measure on the November 2026 ballot.
Under Colorado election law, the district must notify the Larimer County Clerk by July 24 if it intends to participate in the Nov. 3 coordinated election. Ballot language must be certified by Sept. 4.
Jones said the survey results should guide the decision.
“If the survey comes back and says the community is really on board with this,” he said, “then I think we go.”