2025 Taxes & Funding
New state tax regulations are affecting the funding of small districts like ours, and have necessitated a ballot measure this year. In addition, a second proposed ballot measure would require a property tax mill levy change that would increase the annual property taxes for Sunshine residents.
Please see the detailed info on each issue below, and plan to attend our special community meeting on August 11. Details below.
Important Information
Community Meeting Monday, August 11
The purpose of this meeting is to share information, answer questions, and get your feedback on two items the SFPD Board is considering putting on the November 2025 ballot. These include:
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A request to waive the state’s 5.25% property tax limit for all future property tax years, also known as “de-Brucing”.
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A mill levy increase of 6.10 mills to fund construction (and maintenance) of new water cisterns throughout the district and provide a part-time salary for the volunteer Chief. The current tax revenue and budget are limited and cannot fund these important costs. See the attached rationale that describes the proposed costs.
The agenda will include a presentation to provide more information about these items and time for discussion. The Board will be deciding what to include in the election and working to finalize the ballot language before the end of August. We would like to hear from the community about your level of support, questions, and concerns.
If you cannot make the Aug. 11 meeting, we will share the presentation and other materials via email and on the SFPD website. You are also welcome to attend the August Board meeting on Tues. Aug. 12 at 6:30 p.m. at Station #1 on CR 83.
We welcome your questions ahead of the meeting so we can best prepare and develop a good FAQ for everyone.
Proposed Property Tax Increase
​Your Sunshine Board of Directors is proposing a 6.1 mill levy increase to be effective in the 2026 tax year. This would result in an annual tax increase for our residents of approximately $365 for each million dollars of assessed value for your home. The Board takes any increased tax levels seriously and only with very careful consideration. In this case, the increase will fund two expenditures considered critical to the continued safety of our district.
For more information, please see the links below.
Proposed Changes to Tax Rate Limits: TABOR
The Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights, or “TABOR,” is an amendment to the Colorado Constitution enacted by voters in 1992 that limits the amount of revenue governments in Colorado can retain and spend, including the state, counties, cities, schools, and special districts. Limiting how much total revenue can be received by these local governments each year can have different effects on their budgets.
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We are proposing that the community waive the new restriction of a 5.25% property tax limit in order to fund the district's needs
For more information, please see the link below .