El Paso County considering extending Public Safety Tax, would face voters in November

EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) -- The El Paso County Board of County Commissioners is set to consider sending an extension of the Public Safety Tax to voters in November.

The question would ask voters whether to continue the existing 0.23% Public Safety Fund tax that was originally implemented in 2013. The original creation of the tax was to address "critical and emergent needs" of the El Paso County Sheriff's Office (EPSO), according to county officials. The original tax was set to run out in 2021, but was extended to Jan. 1, 2029, back in 2018.

Now, the commission is reviewing whether or not to send the measure to voters again in November.

According to officials, the fund generates around $40 million annually to support public safety infrastructure and operations, including EPSO staffing needs, body-worn cameras, prisoner transport and extraditions and wildland firefighting equipment and personnel.

Officials say they are looking at extending the tax as the county's population continues to grow. According to county data, the Pikes Peak region has grown around 18% since the Public Safety Tax first went into effect but calls for emergency services have increased by over 30%.

The county says the board's consideration for the ballot question will have its first reading at a public meeting on Monday, July 27 at 3 p.m.

A second reading, discussion and final vote will take place the following week on Tuesday, Aug. 4 at 9 a.m. If the measure is approved, voters will get to decide whether or not to extend the tax in November.

More information on the meeting's agendas and participation is available on the county's website.

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