Extend El Paso County 0.23% public safety sales tax to 2037
El Paso County · El Paso County County · November 3, 2026
The question on your ballot
WITHOUT RAISING ADDITIONAL TAXES, SHALL THE EXISTING 0.23% (TWENTY-THREE HUNDREDTHS OF ONE CENT) PUBLIC SAFETY SALES AND USE TAX BE EXTENDED TO JANUARY 1, 2037, WITH THE OFFICE OF THE SHERIFF REPORTING REVENUE AND EXPENDITURES ANNUALLY TO THE PUBLIC AT A BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS HEARING, AND WITH ALL REVENUES GENERATED TO BE USED ONLY FOR THE FOLLOWING PURPOSES: 1. CONTINUING LAW ENFORCEMENT NEEDS • HIRING, TRAINING AND EQUIPPING PATROL DEPUTIES, INVESTIGATORS AND CIVILIAN SUPPORT STAFF • CONDUCTING FIRE AND CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS • MAINTAINING AND REPAIRING COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT AND REPLACING IT AS IT BECOMES OBSOLETE OR WEARS OUT • PURCHASING AMMUNITION, FUEL AND OTHER OPERATIONAL SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT, INCLUDING REPLACEMENT OF VEHICLES AS THEY WEAR OUT 2. CRIMINAL JUSTICE NEEDS • HIRING, EMPLOYING, TRAINING AND EQUIPPING DETENTION DEPUTIES, CIVILIAN DETENTION SECURITY PERSONNEL AND SUPPORT STAFF TO ASSURE ADEQUATE STAFFING TO MAINTAIN INMATE AND PERSONNEL SAFETY IN THE COUNTY JAIL • CONDUCTING CRIMINAL EXTRADITION • MAINTAINING AND REPAIRING VIDEO SURVEILLANCE AND VIDEO VISITATION SYSTEMS AND REPLACING THEM AS THEY BECOME OBSOLETE • PURCHASING OPERATIONAL EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES • ADDRESSING ADDITIONAL SECURITY, SAFETY, OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE COSTS AT THE COUNTY JAIL 3. EMERGENCY RESPONSE NEEDS • HIRING, EMPLOYING AND TRAINING WILDLAND FIRE STAFF AND FUNDING EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND MITIGATION EFFORTS • MAINTAINING THE EMERGENCY VEHICLE RESPONSE CENTER • PURCHASING FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES EQUIPMENT, MAINTAINING WILDLAND FIRE TRUCKS AND REPLACING WILDLAND FIRE TRUCKS AS THEY WEAR OUT WITH SUCH PUBLIC SAFETY SALES AND USE TAX BEING COLLECTED, ADMINISTERED AND ENFORCED PURSUANT TO EL PASO COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS RESOLUTION NOS. 12-309 AMENDED AND 26 - 249?
In plain language
A VoterDecoder summary of the official measure text.
El Paso County Ballot Issue 1A would extend the county's existing 0.23% public safety sales and use tax to January 1, 2037. The measure says it does not raise additional taxes. Revenue could be used only for listed public safety needs, including law enforcement staffing and equipment, jail operations, criminal justice needs, and wildland fire and emergency response. The Office of the Sheriff would report revenue and expenditures to the public each year at a Board of County Commissioners hearing. A YES vote extends the tax to 2037. A NO vote means the tax is not extended under this measure.
Arguments for and against
Only one side filed an official argument for the voter guide. It is printed as submitted; the other side is a summary written by VoterDecoder.
Argument in favor
County Issue 1A renews the existing 0.23 percent public safety sales tax through January 1, 2037. It does not create a new tax and does not raise the tax rate. The same dedicated rate voters previously approved would continue, with revenue limited to specified public safety purposes.
The tax is a continuation of a dedicated funding source that may only be used for county public safety operations. It supports law enforcement staffing, training, and equipment; jail operations and staffing; criminal investigations and extraditions; communications and technology that wear out or become obsolete; vehicles and operational supplies; and
wildland fire staffing, equipment, and emergency response. These are core county responsibilities that grow as the county grows. The Public Safety Tax serves everyone. Whether you live in a city, a town, or an unincorporated area, you rely on countywide safety infrastructure. Jail operations in particular are vital to supporting all law enforcement agencies. Whether in Colorado Springs, Falcon, Fountain, Monument, or elsewhere in the county, all law enforcement agencies rely on the El Paso County jail after an arrest. This renewal also increases accountability. It requires the Office of the Sheriff to report revenue and expenditures annually to the public at a Board of County Commissioners hearing. That is a stronger, more direct line of oversight rather than an obscure process few residents ever see. If the tax is not renewed, those costs would still exist and would have to be absorbed by other county revenues or by reducing funding to other services. Finally, this tax is not permanent. It is subject to future renewals. Voters keep the last word. If the Sheriff’s Office delivers, the community can decide whether to continue the tax. That sunset-and-renewal structure is how a growing county funds core safety work without writing a blank check. A yes vote on County Issue 1A continues a funding tool voters have already used to staff the jail that serves agencies across the county, support patrol and investigations, and maintain wildland fire and emergency response capacity. Vote Yes on 1A to keep El Paso County safe.
Argument against
No official argument against was submitted.
Voters who want county public safety costs paid from other revenue sources, rather than a dedicated sales tax, could vote NO. Under the measure, the tax would be extended to January 1, 2037, and the revenue would be limited to the listed purposes. Voters who prefer a shorter or different funding plan could vote NO for that reason. Voters who want more review before the county commits to a long-term funding source could vote NO. The sheriff's annual report to the Board of County Commissioners would be the main public check on spending. Voters who would rather decide the tax through a new vote at a later time could also vote NO. A NO vote means this extension does not take effect.
What supporters and opponents say — outside sources (not official ballot arguments)
Statements by campaigns, officials and news coverage, quoted with attribution and linked to the original. VoterDecoder did not write them and does not endorse either side.
Supporters say
No public statements in favor were found.
Opponents say
No public statements against were found.