Voters approve tax for road repairs in Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs voters approved a 0.62 percent sales tax increase for the next five years to fix roads.

Ballot issue 2C was one of the most highly anticipated ballot questions in the Nov. 3 election. Voters approved the tax by a large margin.

See latest election results here

Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers said he’s pleased to see voters are willing to invest in infrastructure repairs.

“I think the message that the voters sent tonight is a very important one,” Suthers said. “A tax is a hard thing to pass and, let’s face it, we have a very conservative fiscal environment in Colorado Springs.”

Suthers said he’s still committed to keeping Colorado Springs an affordable city, with the lowest tax burden in the state. He said he hopes the voters’ message will attract prospective business owners.

Critics, including Colorado Springs City Council Member Helen Collins, have criticized the tax increase, saying they believe the city could divert the money to other projects besides roads. Collins said she believed the mayor would use the money for a downtown stadium.

“The critics are absolutely wrong, and I think the voters know that,” Suthers said.

Collins did not return KRDO NewsChannel 13’s request for an interview Tuesday.

Moving forward, Suthers said the tax would be “pay as you go”

“Within a year, we’re going to be really ramped up,” Suthers said. “This is all good news. This is an investment in our future in Colorado Springs.”