Lakewood 0.5% sales tax for public safety and traffic safety

• Issue 2G is a responsible, necessary investment in Lakewood’s pressing needs and addresses core needs like public safety, neighborhood transportation infrastructure, and effective homelessness response.

• Issue 2G proposes a modest sales tax increase, from 3.0% to 3.5%, the first increase in 20 years, while keeping Lakewood’s rate below neighboring cities and ensuring local businesses stay competitive. Groceries, including essential food items, remain fully exempt, which supports families, and the added revenue would fund essential community needs.

• The dedicated revenue will strengthen public safety by expanding proven programs like better street lighting, business safety upgrades, expanding youth intervention programs, and mental health crisis response, which are proactive, community-based measures that address safety issues at their root.

• 2G will accelerate necessary traffic and pedestrian safety improvements. Building sidewalks is costly, and at current funding levels it would take 200 years to finish missing segments. This measure would accelerate sidewalk completion, add dedicated bike lanes, and upgrade neighborhood traffic safety infrastructure for safer Lakewood streets.

• The measure will fund effective, compassionate homelessness solutions. Lakewood has reduced unsheltered homelessness but the services responsible for the decrease need more support. By expanding outreach, eviction prevention, rental assistance, and funding transitional housing, we can provide evidence based, lasting help for unhoused residents.

• 2G includes strong transparency and taxpayer accountability. All revenue goes into a dedicated fund that is subject to annual audits, ensuring money is spent as voters intend.

• Maintaining Lakewood’s vibrant quality of life requires all of us. Many of us see our city as a wonderful place to live, and we must invest in these priorities to preserve and strengthen the community we value. Voting yes on Issue 2G builds a safer, stronger Lakewood.

• I support the proposed sales tax increase because Lakewood needs to invest in safer streets, better lighting, accessible public spaces, and crisis support to improve everyday life for those who live, work, study, shop, seek care, and visit the city and its community spaces.

• The measure should prioritize traffic safety, safer streets and sidewalks, better lighting, slower vehicle speeds, and stronger pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, which determine whether people can move through Lakewood safely and participate in daily life.

• As someone who travels by car, bike, and rail, I see how safety conditions shape whether people feel comfortable using public spaces and transportation. This investment should include crime prevention and homelessness response, because enforcement alone cannot solve either issue.

• A meaningful funding approach should pair clear safety expectations with shelter, behavioral health support, and long-term stability, while investing in basic infrastructure like connected sidewalks, visible crossings, additional and upgraded lighting, maintained public spaces, and safer walking and biking routes.

• Public safety funding shouldn’t rely on additional police enforcement; it should focus on the conditions that prevent harm, make public spaces usable, and help people move through Lakewood safely and with dignity.

• I agree that a sales tax increase is needed, and the issue should go to voters. Lakewood hasn’t raised its sales tax since 2008, and the city needs additional revenue.

• It’s a bad time to ask citizens to pay more because: added pressure on Americans’ finances and general mistrust of government; skyrocketing property taxes, food, housing, and oil and gas costs; immigration issues; people losing healthcare; war in Iran; layoffs due to artificial intelligence and corruption; threats to Social Security and Medicare; overly high salaries for Lakewood staff; funny business between Lakewood management and developers; and the shrinking birthrate.

• Voters face multiple ballot issues requesting tax increases; sales tax is the most progressive tax on the poor yet Lakewood asks for more; arguing Lakewood’s tax rate is lower than other communities and doesn’t tax food isn’t compelling; planned uses aren’t immediate and critical; and two years ago, voters allowed Lakewood to keep TABOR refunds. Could the $40,000,000 refund from Lakewood’s illegal taxation of internet and communications companies be a reason City Council wants the increase?

• I oppose because it increases Lakewood’s sales tax from 3% to 3.5% and anticipates raising up to $17,600,000 in the first year, with subsequent increases; voters shouldn’t approve a permanent sales tax increase without TABOR protections that return excess revenues to taxpayers; and Lakewood should fund public safety and traffic needs with existing revenue rather than increasing taxes.

• Lakewood shouldn’t increase sales tax to offset declining revenue when the strain partially comes from large projects that voters didn’t approve, and a weak economic development environment. Instead of raising taxes, which deters shoppers and burdens residents already facing high costs, Lakewood should focus on attracting and retaining businesses. Healthier business environments boost sales tax revenue without driving shoppers elsewhere.

• Vote No on Lakewood’s 16.7% sales tax increase. Cost of living is crushing families. Have your wages increased 16.7% to pay for this tax hike? Necessities cost more, taxes and government fees take more from paychecks, yet Lakewood wants more of your budget.

• If multiple ballot measures pass and apply to the same taxable purchase, the combined sales tax rate could exceed 9%, raising costs and leaving average and lower income households with less. How are they supposed to absorb another increase in the cost of living?

• Don’t be fooled by “groceries are exempt.” Basic food for home consumption is, but Lakewood taxes prepared food from grocery stores and restaurants, raising costs for seniors, workers, and families who rely on convenient meals.

• The 16.7% tax increase raises costs on essentials like school supplies, clothing, appliances, cars, and home repairs. Lakewood extends developers special financial arrangements including loan extensions while asking residents for more. Comparisons to other cities aren’t accurate because some don’t levy property taxes and some provide services Lakewood doesn’t. Lakewood should live within its means. Protect your paycheck, family and neighbors. Vote No.

• I don’t believe Lakewood receives all the sales taxes vendors collect. Under Colorado’s destination sourcing rules, online sellers must collect state and local taxes. The thirty companies involved use inconsistent methods, some remit by home rule city, some send everything to the state, and others don’t use the state’s system at all.