Wellington 0.5% sales and use tax for law enforcement
Wellington · November 3, 2026
The question on your ballot
SHALL TOWN OF WELLINGTON TAXES BE INCREASED BY $995,000 ANNUALLY IN THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2027, AND BY SUCH ADDITIONAL AMOUNTS AS MAY BE GENERATED ANNUALLY THEREAFTER, BY AN ADDITIONAL ONE-HALF PERCENT (0.50%) SALES AND USE TAX (WHICH WOULD COST 50 CENTS ON A $100 PURCHASE), TO FUND LAW ENFORCEMENT AND RELATED PUBLIC SAFETY SERVICES; AND TO THE EXTENT REVENUES EXCEED AMOUNTS BUDGETED FOR SUCH PURPOSES, OTHER LAWFUL MUNICIPAL OPERATING PURPOSES; AND SHALL THE TOWN BE AUTHORIZED TO COLLECT, RETAIN, AND SPEND THE PROCEEDS OF THE REVENUE FROM SUCH TAX AND ANY EARNINGS THEREON AS A VOTER-APPROVED REVENUE CHANGE AND AN EXCEPTION TO THE LIMITS ON REVENUE AND SPENDING UNDER ARTICLE X, SECTION 20 OF THE COLORADO CONSTITUTION OR ANY OTHER LAW?
In plain language
A VoterDecoder summary of the official measure text.
Wellington Ballot Issue 2A would add a 0.50% sales and use tax to fund law enforcement and related public safety services. The tax would raise $995,000 a year starting in the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2027, and additional amounts later. The tax would cost 50 cents on a $100 purchase. Any revenue above the amount budgeted for public safety could go to other lawful municipal operating purposes. A YES vote approves the tax. A NO vote means the tax is not added.
Fiscal impact
The official fiscal statement reports town fiscal year spending of $7,271,055 in 2022 and $10,594,895 in 2026, an overall change of 45.7%. The estimated 2027 spending without the tax increase is $11,091,160. The maximum tax increase is estimated at $995,000.
Official explanation
FINANCIAL IMPACT STATEMENT
ACTUAL HISTORICAL & CURRENT ESTIMATED FISCAL YEAR SPENDING INFORMATION
YEAR 2026 2025 2024 2023 2022 SPENDING $10,594,895* $10,233,079 $10,061,017 $8,110,938 $7,271,055
OVERALL PERCENTAGE CHANGE FROM 2022 THROUGH 2026 45.7%* OVERALL DOLLAR CHANGE FROM 2022 THROUGH 2026 $3,323,840* ESTIMATED 2027 FISCAL YEAR SPENDING WITHOUT PROPOSED TAX INCREASE $11,091,160 ESTIMATED 2027 MAXIMUM TAX INCREASE AUTHORIZED BY THE BALLOT ISSUE $995,000
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
To support our growing community, the proposal suggests adjusting the sales and use tax rate from 3.00% to 3.50%. Since 1998, Wellington’s population has doubled, significantly increasing the demand on local resources and emergency response capabilities. Because there has been no sales tax increase since 1998, current revenues are no longer sufficient to cover recurring operating expenses.
This proposed 0.50% adjustment is estimated to generate approximately $995,000 annually. These funds will create a dedicated revenue stream directly supporting public safety operations—including patrol operations, criminal investigations, school safety initiatives, traffic enforcement, and emergency response services—without relying on reserves or reducing other essential municipal services.
Even with this adjustment, Wellington’s sales tax rate will remain lower than many neighboring communities, allowing local businesses to stay competitive while securing vital funding for town safety.
Argument against
No official argument against was submitted.
Voters who think the town should fund law enforcement from its existing revenue could vote NO. The measure would add a 0.50% tax on top of the town's current sales and use tax. Voters who want the current sales tax rate left unchanged could vote NO for that reason. Voters who are concerned that new revenue could go beyond law enforcement could also vote NO. The measure says revenue above the amount budgeted for public safety could be used for other lawful municipal operating purposes. Voters who prefer that new money be dedicated only to public safety could vote NO. A NO vote means the tax is not added.
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.