Caon City Council pushes for sales tax increase to fix roads

If you think the roads in Colorado Springs are bad, take a drive through Caon City. The southwestern Colorado town is in major need of road repairs.

The City Council is pushing for a 1 percent sales tax increase as part of the fix. It’s not just potholes that are a problem- dirt and gravel cover much of Main Street in downtown Caon City.

“We’ve seen water gushing out from 3 feet from the curb. You can see water just coming out and if you look over there all they have is dirt,” said Jewel Allison.

Some of the neighborhood roads are so bad you can actually pick up pieces of the road.

“The main streets are good but the side streets are horrible,” said Allen Hanke.

For the first time in history, the City Council is pushing a sales tax just for road repairs. Right now, there’s $400,000 a year in the city’s budget to fix roads. Former Councilmember Mike Near said funding has always been an issue.

“There’s just a lack of funding to help them with the streets and the dedicated budget they have, it doesn’t keep up with the infrastructure,” said Near.

If voters approve the tax, it would generate $3.5 million a year. Some argue a tax isn’t the answer.

“We’re already getting taxed enough for things. I think my biggest irritation is they don’t use it towards what it’s meant to go for,” said Hanke.

One thing almost everyone can agree on – something needs to be done.

“I’m concerned if they don’t do something it will just get worse,” said Near.

“We need some better roads out here, we really do,” said Allison.

Last week, the Colorado Springs City Council approved a point 62 percent sales tax for road repairs. Both proposals will be on the Nov. 3 ballot.