Unofficial election results show support for Aspen School District funding

Editor’s note: The Aspen Times will continue to update vote tallies as results are counted.

The four ballot issues asking voters to support tax funding for the Aspen School District all unofficial voter support, with 42.59% voter turnout as of of 7:05 a.m. Wednesday morning, the day following the Nov. 4 election.

“We are very excited to be leading right now and do not take for granted the trust that the Aspen voters have put in the school district,” Aspen School District Superintendent Tharyn Mulberry texted The Aspen Times on Tuesday night of the initial voter support. “We will continue to offer the same great programming and serve the students in Aspen!”

City of Aspen ballot issue 2A: Tax Increase for Public Education

The city of Aspen’s proposed sales tax to increase funding for the Aspen School District saw 1,328 votes in favor, or 56.78%, and 1,011 votes against, or 43.22%, with slightly less than half of the total vote counted Wednesday.

The sales tax would double the existing 0.3% tax to 0.6%, an increase to a 60-cent tax on a $100 purchase. Aspen expects the tax to generate about $4.75 million in 2026, which would increase their total annual sales tax contribution to the school district to about $9.5 million.

According to the TABOR notice, supporters of the tax said the funding would help teachers stay in the community, allow for classroom improvements, and maintain a core curriculum. The tax would expire on Dec. 31, 2031.

Town of Snowmass Village ballot issue 2D: Increase Property Tax for Educational Purposes

The town of Snowmass Village’s proposed property tax increase in support of the Aspen School District saw 526 votes in favor, or 56.44%, and 406 votes against, or 43.56%, according to the vote count so far.

“I definitely feel that as the costs of living increase here, and it’s harder for teachers who aren’t paid as much to really thrive here and do their job, it’s important to show that we can step up as a community and and support the school district,” Snowmass Mayor Alyssa Shenk said of the initial results.

Snowmass residents were asked to decide whether to double the existing Snowmass Village Public Education Fund property tax, which the town expects would double the amount levied by the fund from $500,000 to $1 million annually. The ballot asked residents if the town could levy up to $1.2 million with the proposed tax to account for fluctuations in property values, as the tax would levy a set percentage of properties’ assessed values.

Snowmass residents who own a property worth $1 million in actual value could expect their property taxes to rise from $37 to $74 under the new tax. This increase is in addition to the $62 rise Snowmass residents would see from the approval of ballot issue 4A, Aspen School District’s mill levy override increase. 

The tax would continue through the collection year 2031. 

Aspen School District ballot issue 4A: General Fund Mill Levy Override Increase

Aspen School District’s ballot issue 4A saw 2,701 votes in favor, or 62.01%, and 1,655 votes opposed, or 37.99%, according to the vote count so far.

The issue asked Aspen School District voters whether to allow the district to levy more than the per-pupil funding cap set by the state, which would allow them to raise an additional $5 million per year from residents’ property taxes. 

The issue would allow the district to levy 47% beyond the state cap, rather than the 25% in additional funding it currently levies. District officials expect the issue to cost residents who own a home with an actual value of $1 million an additional $62 per year, raising their annual district property taxes from $352.25 to $414.25.

The funding would help the district retain and attract high-quality teachers, support transportation, provide high-quality classroom materials, and more, according to the ballot.

Aspen School District seeks the tax to account for an expected $5 million loss in annual funding — to begin in 2031 — resulting from the state’s New Public School Finance Formula, which directs funding away from school districts with high property values. 

Aspen School District ballot issue 4B: General Obligation Bonds

Aspen School District’s ballot issue 4B saw 2,719 votes in favor, or 62.46%, and 1,634 votes opposed, or 37.54%, according to the vote count so far.

The issue asked voters whether to approve a $95 million bond to help the Aspen School District acquire and construct workforce housing, as well as attract and retain teachers and staff, according to a TABOR notice. The bond would also help the district fund maintenance and repairs, improve athletic facilities, and renovate the bus storage facility and theatre, among other things. 

According to the Aspen School District, district residents who own a property with an actual value of $1 million could expect their annual property taxes to rise by $65. It would be paid off over 25 years.

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