What Do Those Services Cost?

Myth #1: “My property value went up, so the County must be rolling in money.”

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Fact: Rising property values do not mean more revenue for La Plata County.

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• It’s a common misconception that rising property values result in the county increasing revenues. 

• The state has reduced residential assessment rates -  this limits the amount the county receives in property tax revenue. (i.e., the county does not realize more money because your residential property taxes have gone up).

• Want to know what you pay and where it goes? Try the county property tax calculator

  • https://forms.lpcgov.org/Forms/property_taxes_lookup

• Other special districts and some school districts have recently raised taxes but the County Government is operating services off of 1980s and 1990s revenue streams.

 

Bottom line: La Plata County is not seeing a windfall. Property tax revenue has remained flat in the midst of rising real estate prices.

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Myth #2: “The County just needs to cut spending and balance the budget.”

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Fact: La Plata County is legally required to balance its budget—and has done so.

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• The County is still working with funding streams set in the 1980s and 1990s.

• We’ve already trimmed and stretched every dollar.

• Without new revenue, the only remaining option is to cut core services, like Sheriff patrols, road and building repairs, and human services programs.  

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Myth #3: “A 1% sales tax sounds like a lot.” 

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Fact: The average household would pay about $23 a month— this is a tank of gas or a breakfast.  

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• This modest amount helps maintain roads, emergency services, and public safety.

• Every dollar stays local.

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Myth #4: “Only residents will pay this new tax.”

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Fact: Visitors and tourists contribute approximately 33% of La Plata County’s total sales tax revenue.

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• That means out-of-town visitors will help fund local services that everyone needs and relies on. 

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Myth #5: “This is just another government money grab.”

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Fact: This is a community investment—and it’s fully transparent.

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• The funds will support essential services: roads, Sheriff response, infrastructure, and fire mitigation, snow removal, emergency response to fire, winter storms, and more!

• The County is committed to clear reporting and accountability. All funds spent are audited. 

 

 

 

Myth #6: “You ran the oil and gas industry out of the county so that is why you’re in a revenue pinch.” 

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Fact: For years, it was predicted that the Fruitland formation  gas field would eventually decline.  In fact, production is on the decline in San Juan County, New Mexico too. 

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• The Commissioners passed updated oil and gas regulations in 2023.  These regulations balanced production and property rights with public health and safety, and environmental protections.   

• The County has benefitted from oil and gas production taxes but starting in the early 2000s, it was always predicted that this revenue would decline, which it now has. 

• The County is committed to protection of people and the environment but also fully recognizes the role the oil and gas sector plays in the county. 

• The County budget can no longer primarily rely on the oil and gas sector to provide public service and pay the bulk of County Government costs. 

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Myth #7: "This sales tax increase will tax all grocery food and hurt families.”

 

Fact: Not exactly. Colorado law already exempts most groceries bought for home consumption from sales tax, and items bought with SNAP or WIC are also exempt. The proposed increase applies only to food items already taxed under the existing county & state rules. 

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✅ The Truth:  

We can’t maintain roads, staff deputies, or prepare for

wildfires using 1980s funding.  

 

For about $23 a month, we can

Protect Today – Invest in Tomorrow!