Factual Summary: Timnath Recreation Center Proposal
November 4, 2025 Coordinated Election
TOWN OF TIMNATH PARKS AND RECREATION:
- The Town of Timnath (“The Town”) created the Parks & Recreation Department in 2023 to operate and maintain 1,200 acres of parks, playgrounds, trails, and open spaces for public use.
- Over 12,000 residents live in The Town, up approximately 80% since 2020. An annual population growth of nearly 10 percent is projected in the coming years.
SUMMARY OF THE ISSUE:
- The Town does not have a Town-owned indoor community recreation center.
- The proposed sales and use tax revenues, combined with approximately $8 million in developer impact fees, would be used to construct, operate, and maintain a recreation center in Timnath with an estimated cost of $98 million.
- The Town’s population is anticipated to double in the next decade, expanding the need for additional recreation space.
SALES AND USE TAX PROPOSAL:
- At the November 4, 2025 Coordinated Election, The Town will ask its citizens to consider a sales and use tax increase measure of 1.25% (one and one-quarter percent, or 1.25 cents per dollar, equating to 12.5 cents on $10 or $50 on $4,000 in applicable sales) to construct, operate, and maintain a new recreation center.
- If approved, this sales and use tax would apply to all purchases in Timnath, except for those items already exempt from state tax by law, including prescriptions, diapers, feminine hygiene products, school activities, and certain other necessities. However, groceries and other items will be subject to the tax.
- A voter-approved 1.25% increase in sales and use tax would begin on January 1, 2026 and continue until Decembers 31, 2056 or such earlier date that the Town Council passes an ordinance to reduce the rate, at which time the tax would be reduced to and remain at 0.25% to operate and maintain the recreation center.
ARGUMENTS AGAINST THE PROPOSAL:
- If successful, the proposal would increase sales and use taxes within Timnath. Voters who believe taxes and the cost of living are already too high may be opposed to any project that requires new taxes.
- Voters who feel that metro districts, HOAs, private fitness clubs, other local businesses, or nearby towns already or should provide these services may not support The Town’s increase in tax revenues to fund a new facility.
- The proposed 109,000-sq-ft, two-story recreation center would be sized to meet current needs and future growth. Some voters may prefer downsizing the project or completing it in phases to reduce the sales and use tax.
- If approved, the recreation center would be built in a central location adjacent to Timnath Parkway and 4th Avenue. Some residents may prefer to reserve this site for retail and commercial businesses.
- The proposed recreation center will increase operational and personnel costs for the Town’s Parks & Recreation Department.
ARGUMENTS IN FAVOR OF THE PROPOSAL:
- If successful, the new recreation center would aim to meet the following community-identified needs:
- Indoor fitness, including cardio/weight room, walk/jog track, group fitness/dance studios, multi-use activity gym, and gymnasium with multisport courts;
- Indoor aquatics, including a competition/lap pool with diving board; a leisure/activity pool with zero-depth entry, lazy river, water slide, and spray features; a warm-water therapy pool; and a whirlpool/spa;
- An indoor event hall with commercial kitchen, rental party/meeting rooms, classrooms, an indoor playground, a short-term child watch area, a senior lounge, and a multi-generational game/E-sports room;
- And outdoor amenities, including a fitness/training area, patio/gathering spaces, and fire pits.
- The new recreation facility would have space for a wide range of possible indoor programs, activities, and events, promoting health, wellness, and active lifestyles for residents of all ages and abilities.
- Unlike a property tax, a sales and use tax would capture revenue from all consumers, including visitors and out-of-town shoppers. Since approximately 85% of shoppers at The Town’s two big box stores travel from locations outside of Timnath, this approach distributes the tax burden and would likely generate funds more quickly than raising property taxes.
- With construction costs rising year after year, building a new community recreation center now with a sales and use tax would save money in the long run.
THE BALLOT ISSUE:
Shall Town of Timnath taxes be increased $9 million in the first full fiscal year and by such additional amounts as are generated annually thereafter for the purpose of:
- Designing, financing, acquiring, constructing, improving, equipping, operating and maintaining a recreation center;
From the imposition of an additional sales and use tax of 1.25%; such tax increase to begin on January 1, 2026, and continue until December 31, 2056, or such earlier date that the Town Council passes an ordinance to reduce the rate, at which time such additional sales and use tax shall be reduced to a maximum of 0.25%; and shall the Town be authorized to collect, retain, and spend all revenues from such tax as a voter-approved revenue change and exception to any spending or revenue restrictions or other limits under Section 20 of Article X of the Colorado Constitution or any other law?
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