Aspen Fire to ask voters about two taxes

The Aspen Fire Protection District will ask voters to approve two new taxes on the Nov. 4 election, hoping to improve wildfire mitigation as well as maintain and update outdated fire engines, infrastructure, and equipment. 

Aspen Fire Protection District ballot issue 6A: Sales tax

Voters in the Aspen Fire Protection District will decide whether or not to approve a 0.5% sales tax to be used to “enhance wildfire mitigation and response capabilities by adding personnel and equipment, (and) integrate additional fire-related technology, including wildfire early detection and response systems.”

The district estimates that the first full fiscal year of the tax implementation would yield approximately $5.98 million in funds. 

Those funds would also be used to attract, retain, and train firefighters, to hire additional wildfire and support staff, and to improve health and mental health resources for firefighters. 

The sales tax would not apply to food sales “for domestic home consumption,” feminine hygiene products, prescriptions, diapers, school activities, and more essential items.

“Wildfire represents a clear and present threat to our community. All of the things we value — from open space to schools to community — are at risk. Recent fires in California show how losses can reach into the tens of billions of dollars with permanent impacts to communities,” according to Pitkin County’s TABOR notice, which reports comments by proponents and opponents of ballot issues.

“Wildfires are becoming larger, faster, and more destructive,” the proponents added. “Investing in preparedness and response now will protect lives, property, and the environment and help make it safer for residents to return home after a fire.”

Opponents filed no comments by the constitutional TABOR notice deadline. 

Aspen Fire Protection District ballot issue 6B: Property tax rate extension

Aspen Fire is asking voters to make permanent an existing property tax, which is set to expire. With a rate of 0.24 mills, the tax produced over $1.075 million in 2025.

The permanent tax extension would be used to replace outdated fire engines and to address infrastructure and deferred maintenance projects, “including adding power storage systems.”

It would also be used to replace outdated mechanical systems, for roofing, siding, and resurfacing needs, to make sustainability upgrades, and more. 

According to the TABOR notice, proponents of the tax said the measure “simply extends” the existing tax to fund “our incredible firefighters who protect our community each day.”

The proponents added, “It does not increase any taxes and simply protects their funding.”

No comments in opposition were filed by the TABOR notice constitutional deadline. 

Skyler Stark-Ragsdale can be reached at 970-429-9152 or email him at sstark-ragsdale@aspentimes.com.