GILPIN COUNTY — Elections are coming up. The following provides information on Ballot Issue 7B.

What does it mean?

Should property taxes be increased to provide up to $1.2 million in additional annual funding for Timberline Fire Protection District? 

How much will it cost?

$40.80 per year for every $100,000 of assessed value

That equates to $204 per year for a home with an assessed value of $500,000, and $408 for a $1 million home

What will the money be spent on?

90% of it will go toward hiring additional firefighters, according to Timberline Chief Paul Ondr. 2025 staffing (approved in the 2026 budget) included 13 full-time employees, one part-time employee, 5 - 12 seasonal mitigation workers, and 50 volunteers.

“Currently, we provide full-time, 24-hour staffing at one station in central Gilpin County,” Ondr wrote in response to emailed questions. “If the measure passes, we plan to expand full-time, 24/7 staffing to two stations—one in the northern portion of the district and one in the southern portion. These stations would be positioned near the areas where a higher percentage of our 911 calls occur.”

The remaining funds will help fund wildfire mitigation in the district and shore up emergency reserves. The district is required to keep $500,000 in reserves, per board policy. 

“Given the rising cost of apparatus, equipment, facilities, and emergency operations, the district needs a larger reserve to respond to unexpected expenses without disrupting essential services,” Ondr said. 

The ballot language also allows funds to be spent on general operations and infrastructure.

Arguments for 7B

• More firefighters will likely result in faster response times

• The district needs more money to keep up the same level of operations. The district typically runs a zero-deficit budget, meaning they spend every dollar they get.
  
  As labor and materials get more expensive and property tax revenue declines (more detail below), the district needs additional revenue to keep paying for everything without relying on reserves. Reserves were tapped in 2025 when grant funding was delayed.

• Climate change is already resulting in longer and more active fire seasons

• This isn’t a new or surprise tax: Back in 2018, voters in the district already approved annual adjustments to the mill levy, to account for adjustments to the assessment rates at the state level. That’s happened: Local taxing entities throughout the state are seeing reduced property tax revenue after rates were lowered by the state legislatures.
  
  This year’s adjustment—needed to maintain Timberline’s baseline operating budget—will increase the district mill levy by 1.107 mills, from 8.342 mills to 9.359.

Arguments against 7B

• It is a tax increase, so it will add to property owners’ expenses

• This would be a significant bump in revenue: a nearly 32% bump in revenue overall, and a 65% increase in property tax revenue. However, some increase in revenue will be required to pay for the increased cost of services and make up for the decline in property tax revenue due to state rate adjustments. 

More information + resources

bit.ly/TimberlineFPD7B