New fire station tax fails in split vote

In a strong turnout of nearly 50 percent, local voters sent a mixed message on election day regarding their willingness to accept property tax increases to fund construction of a new fire station. Voters approved only one of two ballot measures up for consideration. Both had to pass for the plan to move forward.

City voters narrowly approved measure 2B by a margin of less than one percent — or fewer than 20 votes. That would have increased property taxes within city limits by 12.5 mills for 20 years, and then 6 mills thereafter, to help pay for the cost of a new fire station, plus operating expenses.

However, a sister measure that would have raised property taxes throughout the fire protection district in the rest of Gunnison County failed by a wider margin with 57 percent voting no. That question called for an increase of 8 mills on top of the 4.5 mills already levied on property owners in the district for fire servics. It also would have sunset to 6 mills after 20 years.

This marks the second time in recent years that voters have defeated tax increases for a new station.

The proposed facility would have replaced the current aging and outdated station at an estimated cost of $35 million. The city and fire protection district argued that the existing facility poses a risk to the health and safety, not just of members of the public needing adequate fire protection, but of the firefighters themselves. 

However, many in the community expressed concern over the price tag at a time when property taxes are already set to increase due to rising valuations and other structural changes in how property tax is calculated and collected in Colorado.

City council 

Also on the ballot for voters in the City of Gunnison was a race between four candidates to fill three open seats on the city council. In a very tight contest, with each candidate receiving roughly a quarter of the votes cast, the margin between the candidates with the third and fourth most votes was less than 2 percent. Loren Ahonen received the most votes (27 percent) followed by incumbent councilman Matt Schwartz (26 percent) and Audrey Zahradka (24 percent). Tristen Coleman received just over 22 percent of the vote.

“I’m young and my public service is just beginning,” Coleman said. “This won’t be the last time my name will be on the ballot. To those who won, I offer my sincere congratulations and full support for their work.”

The new council members will be sworn in to office on Dec. 9, 2025.

State initiatives

Gunnison County voters overwhelmingly supported propositions LL and MM on the statewide ballot, with 73 percent and 65 percent in favor respectively. Statewide, the measures passed with 65 and 58 percent of the vote.

Proposition LL allows the state to retain approximately $12.4 million in excess revenue (plus interest) collected from the 2022 Proposition FF tax on high-income earners, which was originally intended to fund the Healthy School Meals for All program. Under the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR), this surplus would otherwise be refunded to taxpayers earning $300,000 or more annually. 

By approving LL, voters exempt future revenue from this refund requirement, ensuring full funding for free breakfast and lunch for all public K-12 students, regardless of family income. It also mandates at least $1 million in spending on local food purchasing and technical assistance programs.

Proposition MM raises an additional $95 million annually by limiting federal income tax deductions for Colorado households earning $300,000 or more (single filers) or $400,000 (joint filers), reducing the deduction cap to $1,000 for singles and $2,000 for joint filers starting in 2026. This affects roughly 200,000 households (6% of taxpayers), increasing their average annual tax by about $480–$486. 

The funds primarily support the Healthy School Meals for All program, including cafeteria worker raises or stipends and grants for schools to buy fresh, local ingredients. After full school meals funding is secured, excess revenue bolsters the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to offset federal cuts. 

All election results are unofficial as of press time.

(Alan Wartes can be contacted at 970.641.1414.)