Tax measures prevail in Colorado Springs and Greeley, while Brighton attempt fails

Local tax measures supporting public schools passed easily in Colorado Springs District 11 and Greeley-Evans School District 6 on Tuesday, while voters in Brighton again rejected a property tax increase for schools.

A total of 34 money measures from nearly 20 Colorado school districts appeared on local ballots Tuesday.

As of early Wednesday, 22 had passed, seven had failed and five were too close to call, according a preliminary count from the Colorado School Finance Project.

In Colorado Springs, voters approved a $42 million annual property tax increase by a 57 percent to 43 percent margin. The district intends to use the money for salaries, facility improvements and for new school psychologists and counselors.

Supporters raised $517,000 in campaign contributions and recruited 500 volunteers to knock on 30,000 doors to secure D-11’s first property tax increase in 17 years, The Gazette reported.

Voters in Greeley, by a margin of 58.4 to 42.6 percent in the latest returns, approved a $14 million property tax increase to pay teachers and staff more and to update curriculum, technology and add security cameras at the high school.

The $12 million property tax increase from the Brighton 27J school district was defeated 53.4 percent to 46.6 according to latest returns. It marked the sixth time since 2003 voters have rejected such a tax increase, known as a mill levy override.

District officials sought the money to increase salaries, add counselors to every elementary school and provide new curriculum and technology.

Here are draft results for the state’s local money measures as compiled by the Colorado School Finance Project: