10/01/2026
In the November election, residents of the Arvada Fire Protection District will see Issue 6C on their ballots, a measure addressing funding for emergency services. We want to spend a little longer answering some common questions from the community while detailing:
โข What is Issue 6C?
โข Why has it been proposed to voters?
โข What would funds from 6C be used for?
Arvada Fire has carefully monitored its financial position, including revenues, expenditures, forecasts, and other factors that affect the districtโs long-term financial health. Despite these efforts, the district is facing a significant budget shortfall in the coming years. One contributing factor is the state-imposed cap on property tax revenue the district can collect and retain.
Over the years, Arvada Fire has strategically deferred or paused certain capital improvements to manage available resources. While these decisions have helped address short-term financial pressures, continued deferral comes with long-term consequences. The cost of maintaining and replacing essential equipment, vehicles, facilities, technology, and other resources continues to increase. At the same time, the demand for emergency services continues to grow. Arvada Fire is responding to more calls, including medical emergencies, while also preparing for increased wildfire risk and meeting evolving training and operational requirements.
Issue 6C is intended to address these long-term funding challenges and help ensure Arvada Fire can continue providing reliable emergency services to our community today and into the future.
๐๐ก๐๐ญ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ ๐๐?
Issue 6C is a proposed 1.0% sales tax measure, generating approximately $23.1M annually to fund Arvada Fire's long-term funding needs. This proposal exempts items such as sales of food for domestic home consumption, prescription medicines, diapers, school activities and all other categories exempt from state sales tax collections. Colorado Senate Bill 24-194 passed allowing special districts to diversify revenue sources, so as not to be heavily dependent on property tax.
๐๐ก๐ฒ ๐ก๐๐ฌ ๐ข๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ง ๐ฉ๐ซ๐จ๐ฉ๐จ๐ฌ๐๐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐ฏ๐จ๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ฌ?
Arvada Fire is facing increased demand and rising costs with challenges due to inflation and recent state legislation such as:
โข The costs of life-saving equipment in the fire service are rapidly rising, affecting items like fire apparatus, ambulances, medical equipment, personal protective gear, maintenance, and more. For example, a fire engine cost $755,000 in 2020, and costs about $1.37 million today, an increase of more than 81%.
โข State legislation passed in 2024 (HB24B-1001) limits property-tax revenue growth for fire protection districts to 10.5% over two years, making it harder for districts to keep pace with rising costs. The legislation superseded prior voter-approved measures to โde-Gallagherizeโ property tax revenue passed by the voters in 2018.
โข Calls for service have steadily increased, rising from 14,949 in 2016 to 19,025 in 2025.
๐๐ก๐๐ญ ๐ฐ๐จ๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ง๐๐ฌ ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฆ ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐๐ ๐๐จ๐ซ?
The revenue collected by the sales tax will be used to overcome a projected budget shortfall and maintain Arvada Fireโs current level of services. This includes: maintaining firefighter and paramedic staffing levels to safely respond to emergencies; providing and maintaining emergency vehicles, equipment and modern facilities for public and first responder safety; and retaining and attracting highly qualified first responders.
๐๐ก๐๐ญ ๐ก๐๐ฉ๐ฉ๐๐ง๐ฌ ๐ข๐ ๐ข๐ญ ๐๐จ๐๐ฌ๐ง'๐ญ ๐ฉ๐๐ฌ๐ฌ?
If new funding is not secured, Arvada Fire would reduce spending over the next two years and may not be able to maintain the current level of services. This could affect items such as staffing levels, the timely replacement of fire apparatus or facilities, and more.
๐๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ ๐๐ซ๐ฏ๐๐๐ ๐
๐ข๐ซ๐
Fire protection began in Arvada 119 years ago in 1907. Today, Arvada Fire currently maintains 11 active fire stations throughout approximately 60 square miles in the City of Arvada, the northern portion of the City of Wheat Ridge, the community of Fairmount, and portions of unincorporated Jefferson County. Arvada Fire is an accredited, ISO Class 1 agency.
Arvada Fire is special tax district organized in May of 1949 under Title 32 of the Colorado Revised Statutes. As a special district form of government, Arvada Fire is not a part of the City of Arvada or affiliated with any city or county government.
๐๐ข๐ง๐ค๐ฌ
Additional informationโincluding ballot language, how to vote, and arguments for and against the measureโcan be found at: arvadafireco.gov/6c
Another informational resource is available at: talkarvadafireco.com
Details on sales tax exemptions: https://tax.colorado.gov/sales-tax-rate-changes
