The Estes Park Town Board passed an ordinance Tuesday to exempt menstrual and incontinence products, including diapers, from the town’s 5 percent sales tax. The legislature passed a similar measure in 2022, exempting these products from the state’s 2.9 percent sales tax.

Estes Park Finance Director Tammy Zimmerman told the board the exemption would impact less than 1 percent of budgeted revenue. It will create an estimated revenue loss of $14,000 from incontinence products and $4,000 from period products. 

“The intent is to reduce the cost of these essential goods,” Zimmerman said. 

The tax burden for these hygiene products is viewed as inequitable for women and families. Staff recommended the ordinance because it doesn’t pose a significant financial risk and demonstrates a commitment to supporting a family-friendly community. The board approved the measure unanimously.

Ordinances adding properties to the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District and Municipal Subdistrict

Utilities Director Reuben Bergsten presented a proposal to add all remaining properties within Estes Park boundaries to the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District and Municipal Subdistrict. 

The meeting’s agenda packet includes a full list of several hundred parcels, mostly scattered around the edges of town boundaries. Inclusion in the districts is a legal requirement for service by the town’s water system. 

The conservancy district oversees federal infrastructure, including the Big Thompson Project, on behalf of the U.S. government. 

The municipal subdistrict was formed in 1970 by the municipalities of Estes Park, Greeley, Loveland, Longmont, Boulder, and Fort Collins. It manages the Windy Gap Project, which diverts water from the Western Slope through the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s Lake Granby and Adams Tunnel for municipal members of the subdistrict.

The town board postponed the item to the May 26 meeting to give residents time to comment or ask questions.

If approved by the town, the district and subdistrict boards would then consider final approval. 

The town board passed similar measures twice before, but failed to provide a comprehensive list of properties. 

“This time we are very confident this will go forward,” Bergsten said. “Third time’s the charm.”

Town staff worked closely with district staff this time and reached a consensus that the list is complete, Bergsten said. 

Both the district and the municipal subdistrict have taxing authority, but only the district currently levies a 1-mill property tax. Trustee Frank Lancaster said, considering assessed value, that would only amount to about $60 a year for a $1 million home.

The subdistrict does not have a mill levy and is unlikely to in the future, legal counsel Greg White said. 

The move to join the conservancy districts would apply to all land in town limits, including vacant property and land with private wells. According to a staff memo, inclusion increases long-term property value and eliminates the costs and complexities for property owners who would need to join in the future.

For an individual property owner to join the conservancy districts requires an application process, a $400 fee, and back taxes dating to when the conservancy was formed in 1937. The town would pay for these costs on behalf of property owners. Costs to the town have already been budgeted at $71,600. 

Going forward, White said the town will work to include other properties beyond the town limits, but that will be a lengthier process.