FAQs

Maintenance remains important, but many facilities need upgrades rather than repairs. Some sidewalks and curb ramps do not meet modern standards and require reconstruction.

Yes. Improvements benefit:

• People with disabilities
• Older adults
• Families with strollers
• Students
• Cyclists
• Transit users
• Drivers through improved safety and reduced conflicts

Revenue would be dedicated to eligible right-of-way improvements, helping ensure that funds are invested directly in transportation and accessibility projects that serve the community.

Following the approval of this new funding, Edgewater will utilize the first years funds to engage with the community, design and engineer all improvements.  

The total project costs for installing new ramps, wider sidewalks and safer crossings is estimated at about $37M. This is a long term project that will most likely take 10-20 years to complete. Below is a table that shows sales tax estimates dependent on different increases to Edgewater's sales tax through a twenty year term. 

Voters are being asked whether to increase Edgewater's sales tax rate by one-half of one percent (0.5%), beginning January 1, 2027. The City estimates the tax would generate approximately $1.2 million during its first year.

A 0.5% tax equals:

• 5¢ on a $10 taxable purchase
• 25¢ on a $50 taxable purchase
• 50¢ on a $100 taxable purchase
• $2.50 on a $500 taxable purchase
• $5.00 on a $1,000 taxable purchase

This would be added to the sales taxes already applicable to taxable purchases in Edgewater.

The ballot language requires revenue from the 0.5% increase to be used solely for increasing and improving accessibility and mobility throughout Edgewater. Eligible uses specifically identified in the ballot question include:

• Sidewalk design, construction, repair and replacement
• ADA required curb and ramp improvements
• Crosswalk improvements
• Bike lanes and bicycle infrastructure
• Street improvements
• Alley improvements
• Streetscaping
• Repair and replacement of mobility infrastructure
• Accessibility and mobility education, training and outreach

The ballot language says "including but not limited to," meaning funds could be used for other projects not listed above if they meet the measure's accessibility and mobility purpose.

Under the City's current codes, private property owners are responsible for constructing and repairing sidewalks abutting or adjacent to their property. 

The ballot language specifically allows the new revenue to be used for: "Reducing or eliminating the obligation of private property owners to construct and repair sidewalks." That means the City would have a dedicated funding source that could be used to take on more responsibility for sidewalk improvements rather than relying on individual property owners to pay for those improvements. This could also allow the City to approach sidewalk reconstruction more systematically, addressing entire blocks, corridors or priority areas instead of improvements occurring primarily property by property.

Many portions of Edgewater were constructed before today's accessibility standards. The measure could fund improvements required by modern law such as:

• ADA-compliant curb ramps
• Accessible crosswalks
• Sidewalk improvements
• Removal of physical barriers
• Improvements to other City facilities

The referred sales tax would provide a dedicated revenue source for the accessibility and mobility improvements identified in the ballot measure. Sales tax is paid by both Edgewater residents and people who visit Edgewater and make taxable purchases. Ultimately, voters will decide whether a 0.5% sales tax is the appropriate way to fund these improvements. According to the 2024 Community Survey, community members identified a sales tax increase as their preferred method of funding sidewalk and street improvements. A permanent sales tax increase would provide on-going funding towards those improvements over time.

The City can and does use its existing budget to fund infrastructure for many municipal purposes, including accessibility and mobility. If approved, the ballot measure would create an additional revenue source specifically dedicated to accessibility and mobility. The estimated $1.2 million in first-year revenue would provide additional capacity to undertake these improvements.

No. The ballot language states that revenue from the 0.5% increase must be used solely for increasing and improving accessibility and mobility throughout the City. The measure identifies sidewalks, bike lanes, streetscaping, streets, alleys, ADA improvements and related accessibility and mobility activities as eligible uses.

Colorado's Taxpayer's Bill of Rights (TABOR), requires voter approval for certain tax increases. The final portion of the ballot question asks voters to authorize the City to collect, retain and spend the revenue generated by this particular tax increase for the purposes identified in the ballot measure, without the revenue being restricted by otherwise applicable revenue or spending limitations. It does not change the stated purpose of the tax revenue.