2026 Mill Levy Ballot Measure

No. The measure would allow WPS to collect additional previously authorized local revenue now permitted under Colorado law, without imposing new taxes.

Because the decision belongs to voters.

Although Colorado law has changed, WPS cannot collect the additional revenue without voter approval.

State law previously limited WPS to an MLO cap equal to 25% of Total Program funding. Under the new school finance formula, that cap can increase to 27% with voter approval.

For WPS, that represents approximately $2 million in additional annual revenue, without imposing new taxes.

The proposed ballot question identifies four purposes: improving safety and security; expanding Career and Technical Education programs; attracting and retaining effective teachers; and improving academic achievement for all students.

The amount the District may collect is subject to limits established under Colorado law; however, it is estimated to be an annual increase of  $2 million without imposing a new tax.

On Wednesday, August 26, 2026, the WPS Board of Education considered and approved the proposed resolution. 

The question will be submitted to WPS voters as part of the November 3, 2026 coordinated election.

Without imposing a new tax, WPS would be authorized to collect the full amount of the previously approved revenues permitted under current Colorado law, subject to the applicable statutory limit. The additional revenue would be deposited into the District's General Fund and used for the educational purposes identified in the ballot question.

WPS would not receive the additional authorization requested in the ballot question to collect the additional portion of the previously approved revenues. The district would continue to collect the previously approved mill levy overrides subject to the 25% total program funding limit.

The proposed resolution includes the following ballot language:

WITHOUT IMPOSING A NEW TAX, SHALL WESTMINSTER PUBLIC SCHOOLS  BE AUTHORIZED TO COLLECT THE FULL AMOUNT OF REVENUES PREVIOUSLY APPROVED BY THE VOTERS IN 1988, 2002 AND 2018 PURSUANT TO SECTION 22-54-108, C.R.S. SUBJECT TO THE LIMIT ESTABLISHED FOR THE DISTRICT BY SECTION 22-54-108(3)(B)(VI), C.R.S., TO FUND EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES OF THE DISTRICT AS AUTHORIZED AT THE PRIOR ELECTIONS, INCLUDING:

IMPROVING SAFETY AND SECURITY;

EXPANDING CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION (CTE) PROGRAMS;

ATTRACTING AND RETAINING EFFECTIVE TEACHERS; AND

IMPROVING ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT OF ALL STUDENTS;

WHICH TAXES SHALL BE DEPOSITED INTO THE GENERAL FUND AND SHALL BE IN ADDITION TO THE PROPERTY TAXES THAT OTHERWISE WOULD BE LEVIED FOR THE GENERAL FUND; AND SHALL INVESTMENT EARNINGS ON THE PROCEEDS OF SUCH TAXES BE COLLECTED, RETAINED AND EXPENDED BY THE DISTRICT WITHOUT LIMITATION UNDER ARTICLE X, SECTION 20 OF THE COLORADO CONSTITUTION OR ANY OTHER LAW?

The complete ballot question will be posted if adopted by the Board of Education.

The measure does not impose a new tax. If voters authorize WPS to collect the additional revenue, the District estimates the amount levied would increase by approximately 1.6 mills. For a $500,000 home, the additional estimated property tax would be approximately $4.70 a month.