Larimer County arts groups are gearing up to ask voters to approve a new taxing district that could mean millions of dollars for dozens of arts organizations.
Several major institutions have expressed interest in joining the campaign, but it’s not clear yet whether enough arts groups will line up to support the proposal and get it on the ballot.
The cities of Loveland and Fort Collins have indicated they are on board with asking voters to support a Science and Cultural Facilities District, and Estes Park has also expressed preliminary interest.
"Metro Denver has had a district like this since 1998, and voters have re-authorized it twice," says Northern Colorado Business Report publisher Jeff Nuttall. "It supports dozens of institutions, both large and small."
Metro Denver's seven counties opted to impose a 0.1% sales tax increase (which works out to about $14.55 per person each year). Loveland officials estimate the same tenth-percent increase in sales tax would generate $5 million annually for arts groups in Loveland and Fort Collins.
Organizers hope to have enough signatures gathered to put the question on the November 2014 ballot.
