Why Vote Yes

The following facts will be presented to the voters in the City Blue Book for the November election.

This ballot measure will continue the current Fort Collins ¼ of 1 percent Natural Areas sales and use tax. It is not a tax increase, and it is not a new tax.

In 1992, Fort Collins’ residents voted to protect natural areas in and around the community by approving the Natural Areas ¼ cent sales and use tax. Thirty-three years later, the Natural Areas program is a national model for land conservation, ecological restoration, and outdoor access, protecting thousands of acres of natural areas and providing 114 miles of trails. Compared to other City programs, the Natural Areas program has one of the highest favorability ratings among residents.

Yet, unlike most City programs, the Natural Areas Program relies almost entirely on sales tax revenue that must be renewed regularly by voters.

A YES vote on Issue 302 will ensure the long-term sustainability of the Natural Areas Program. If passed by voters, it will:

Protect natural areas, open spaces, and critical wildlife habitat in and around Fort Collins;
Expand access to nature through responsible recreation opportunities like walking, hiking, and biking, while deepening community connection through outdoor education;
Ensure that long-term operations and maintenance needs can be met and that the ecological health of protected lands is a priority; and
Leverage local partnerships with Larimer County, GOCO, and others—stretching every dollar further to maximize conservation impact.

Key accountability provisions include the following:

The funds cannot be diverted to any other uses. They are used for protection of new natural areas and for the management and operations of all City of Fort Collins natural areas.
A citizen advisory committee, the Land Conservation and Stewardship Board (LCSB), oversees use of the funds. Expenditures are guided by the Natural Areas Strategic
Framework, recently adopted by City Council.
An annual report to the public regarding use of revenues is required, as are quarterly financial reports for review by City Council and the LCSB.
Purchase of lands is from willing sellers only.

Our Natural Areas Program is not just part of Fort Collins — it helps define who we are as a community. Moreover, the Natural Areas Program has earned our community’s trust by being an excellent steward of taxpayer dollars for more than three decades.

It’s time to preserve our Natural Areas legacy forever while protecting even more natural areas, expanding access to nature and recreation, and restoring conserved lands to support native habitats and wildlife.

Please vote FOR/YES on Issue 302.