What's Happening in Broomfield

Who is push-polling another Sales Tax in Broomfield?

They're back at it...again. The Broomfield Housing Stability Task Force (BHSTF, an independent group) is currently conducting a survey of registered voters to gauge support for a 0.5% sales tax increase which they say would address a $10M housing shortfall.

Remember that the City and County of Broomfield wanted to put a sales tax measure on the ballot in 2023. After a city-run survey, 63% of voters did not want the sales tax to increase from 8.15% to 8.9%, which the city said they needed. We, Broomfield Taxpayer Matters, showed you the actual numbers behind their ask.

Then, in May 2025, the BHSTF commissioned a scientific poll (by Magellan Strategies) of 757 registered Broomfield voters. Last year's survey tested two proposed tax measures to help close what they described as a ~$15 million annual gap in housing resources:

• A 0.5% sales and use tax increase (exactly the same as the current proposal — ~$10 million per year, adding 5 cents per $10 purchase).
• A 1% construction excise tax on commercial development.

Public support for the 0.5% sales tax was opposed by 2/3rds of respondents, with only 34% in support. Similarly, the construction excise tax also fell woefully short with only 40% support. Because the numbers were far below a having a realistic chance of passing, the Task Force decided not to ask City Council to place either measure on the November 2025 ballot. They publicly presented the results to Council in late May 2025 and shifted to more community engagement instead.

With 15–25+ housing programs, assistance funds, vouchers, rental aid, tax refunds, home shares, emergency shelters, and nonprofits all supposedly working together in little Broomfield... how exactly does anyone end up without help here?

Broomfield has one of the highest median household incomes in Colorado at approximately $124,000, yet the Broomfield Housing Stability Task Force continues to push for a 0.5% sales tax increase to fund nonprofit housing programs. The official 2025 Point-in-Time (PIT) Count recorded only 67 people experiencing homelessness in Broomfield County — a 22% decrease from 2024.

With 15–25+ existing housing programs already in place and recent HUD investigations uncovering fraud in Colorado housing assistance (including benefits paid to deceased or ineligible individuals, especially in the Denver metro area), residents are right to ask:

Where exactly would these new funds go, and how can we ensure strong accountability and measurable results before adding another tax burden? And when will the BHSTF, BHA, and CCOB get the message that increasing taxes is not a viable public option to solve the "housing affordability" challenge?

Broomfield Town Square - At a Crossroads...

In a recent internal memo from the City and County of Broomfield, the city staff describes ongoing due diligence for the Broomfield Town Square project. Staff is emphasizing standard review processes for permits, fiscal impacts, and compliance with the 2023 site development plan. They note that submitted plans for small accessory structures do not yet show the "meaningful advancement" required by city code before the three-year clock expires in September 2026. The memo calls for clearer timelines, updated cost estimates, and a potential new fiscal impact analysis ahead of the April 21 City Council study session.

And as far back as the 2025 focus session, City Manager Hoffman stated that the Broomfield Town Square will not make the city any money, it is an amenity. (click here to view the video).

At the same time, developers from City Street Investors and the Broomfield Town Square Alliance, as quoted in the April 14, 2026 Denver Post article, describe the nearly $300 million mixed-use project as facing unnecessary roadblocks from city leadership. They highlight $30 million in submitted infrastructure plans (including restrooms and a boathouse) and secured private bond financing through a metro district as proof of strong momentum. Developers have requested an 18-month extension on the building permit deadline, arguing it aligns with precedents in other cities.

On costs and taxpayer impact: In 2015, the city bought the vacant Safeway building for $3.6 million to help jump-start redevelopment, and had to renovate it a couple of years ago with funding approved at around $2M (Resolution No. 2023-106, August 8, 2023). The overall project is privately funded (first phase ~$270 million, full buildout near $300 million). Public support is limited to capped TIF (up to $54 million over time from new taxes the project generates) and land transfers — not upfront taxpayer dollars. However, a 2022 city fiscal study flagged potential net negative impacts, meaning future service costs (like public safety and library) could exceed new revenues. Developers strongly dispute this finding.

The April 21 council study session will likely bring more clarity as both sides discuss the extension request. Residents can check the city's Broomfield Town Square webpage or the developers' site for the latest official updates. This situation highlights common challenges in large public-private redevelopment projects — balancing ambitious vision with timelines and fiscal responsibility.

Broomfield Annual Tree Sale – Good for Residents, Tough on Small Businesses

Every spring, the City and County of Broomfield runs its own Annual Tree Sale, selling trees directly to residents and city employees at a discount (typically 7–8 species, priced around $85–$95 each). Orders are placed online through B-REx.com, with pickup handled by city staff. The trees are chosen by the city forester and priced below typical market rates.

While the city says this helps increase tree canopy and supports the environment, it raises a fairness question:

• The city uses taxpayer resources, staff time, and logistics to sell trees that private nurseries and garden centers already offer year-round.
• Local businesses must cover full costs — inventory, rent, marketing, labor, and taxes — while competing against a government-run sale that can undercut their prices during peak planting season.
• This pulls customers away from tax-paying tree services, nurseries, and landscapers in Broomfield and nearby areas.

Government entering the marketplace to sell the same products as private businesses creates unfair competition. True economic vitality comes from letting private businesses compete on a level playing field — without the city acting as both regulator and competitor.

The same pattern of unfair government competition doesn’t stop with tree sales — it repeats across many industries.

Colorado Budget Growth Continues to Accelerate

Lawmakers in Colorado are advancing a $46.8 billion state budget driven largely by rising Medicaid costs and long-term program expansion.

Even small percentage increases now translate into billions in additional spending, much of it funded through taxes and fees that are less visible to voters.

As major programs grow, they inevitably crowd out competing priorities or increase pressure for additional revenue sources. A steadily expanding budget creates structural momentum—making restraint increasingly difficult over time.

Without meaningful spending discipline, taxpayers should expect continued upward pressure on household and business costs.

How did we get here? Check out the timeline.

The budget debate in Colorado continues to center on expanding healthcare and social program costs, many of which have grown far beyond initial projections. Programs that begin as limited or pilot efforts are increasingly becoming permanent, large-scale budget commitments—often with limited pathways to reduction once established.

This pattern raises concerns about how quickly temporary policy responses become long-term financial obligations. As spending expands, the need for stronger scrutiny before programs scale becomes increasingly important for fiscal sustainability.

TABOR Pressure and Tax Expansion Discussions Continue

Ongoing fiscal discussions in Colorado highlight continued pressure on revenue systems, including proposals that could significantly increase state-retained funds while reducing or eliminating taxpayer refunds under TABOR.

These shifts would represent a structural change in how revenue is collected and returned to residents, rather than a minor budget adjustment.

By limiting or withholding TABOR refunds at the same time that state spending grows, Colorado taxpayers end up contributing a permanently larger portion of their earnings to the state budget.

This hidden tax increase reduces household affordability, especially as families already struggle with high housing and living costs."

Any change to long-standing taxpayer protections deserves full transparency and direct voter scrutiny. Are you feeling the pressure yet?

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