Reasons to Vote NO on 6D
Wellington Fire Protection District (WFPD)'s
Sales Tax Increase
on this November's ballot
Tabor Violating
The Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR) is a critical safeguard that protects Wellington’s 15,000 residents from excessive government overreach by tying tax increases to reasonable limits based on inflation and population growth. For instance, if your home value spikes 40% due to market fluctuations, TABOR ensures your property taxes rise only by a modest 6% (3% inflation + 3% population growth), not the full 40%. It also mandates refunds for overcollected taxes and requires voter approval for retained excess taxes, empowering you to decide how your money is spent. Both WFPD ballot question and Larimer County's Ballot Issues seek to bypass TABOR, granting them unrestricted access to your hard-earned money without refunding excess collections. Voting for this sales tax increase undermines your taxpayer rights and strips away these protections. VOTE NO on 6D to keep government accountable and safeguard your wallet!
Unpaid Over Collected Taxes
Vote no on 6D, the Wellington Fire Protection District’s (WFPD) proposed sales tax increase! From 2009 to 2014, WFPD over collected $885,810 in taxes, and shockingly, $232,061.29 of that amount remains unpaid as of August 2025. This blatant failure to refund taxpayers proves WFPD cannot be trusted to manage your money responsibly, especially when they now seek more through a new tax. Protect your wallet—reject this increase and demand accountability!
Alleged Misuse of Public Funds
WFPD is under investigation by the Colorado’s Campaign Finance Enforcement for a $14,500 survey, which some suggest may have been a "push poll" to support their proposed 0.5% sales tax increase, potentially raising questions under Colorado’s Fair Campaign Practices Act and the state constitution regarding public fund use in ballot measures. This review highlights concerns about fiscal responsibility, echoing past voter concerns noted in the survey itself, which some believe may lack neutrality. Such actions could undermine trust in the democratic process, suggesting caution with additional revenue. Don't reward this potential violation of your rights and the law—VOTE NO on 6D to demand accountability and protect your wallet from further potential abuse.
Click here to read the Campaign Violation Complaint
Click here to read the Campaign Violation Complaint
Blank Check
Don't be fooled by the Wellington Fire Protection District's ballot measure, 6D, which promises your hard-earned sales tax dollars will go toward essential needs like funding recurring capital projects such as apparatus replacement, repair, and fire station maintenance and improvements—it sounds noble, but the sneaky phrase "including but not limited to" buried in the language turns this into a blank check. Legally, as outlined in Colorado Revised Statutes like 1-40-106, this standard ballot wording allows the district to spend the revenue on virtually anything they deem related to "maintaining vital emergency services," without strict limits or accountability, potentially diverting funds to unrelated or wasteful expenses far beyond the examples listed. Given WFPD's documented history of financial mismanagement—highlighted in their own biased survey where voters cited overspending, debt, and lack of transparency—and their recent illegal use of $14,500 in public funds for a push poll to promote this tax hike, trusting them with unrestricted access to more money is a recipe for abuse. Vote NO on 6D to demand real safeguards and prevent your taxes from vanishing into unmonitored pockets.
Regressive Tax
Vote NO on 6D, the Wellington Fire Protection District’s (WFPD) proposed 0.5% sales tax increase —a regressive tax that unfairly burdens lower-income residents who spend a larger share of their income on essentials, while wealthier individuals feel less strain, unlike a property tax levy. Combined with Larimer County’s ballot questions, 1A & 1B, (which are also TABOR violating) for a 0.15% sales tax for roads and 0.25% for preschool—totaling a 0.4% increase—this adds to WFPD’s 0.5%, pushing Wellington residents’ sales tax hike to 0.9%. Though it seems small (90 cents on a $100 purchase), it compounds with rising property taxes, utility costs, and inflation, hitting those least able to pay. With no clear accountability, reject this unjust tax grab on November 4, 2025, to protect your finances!
Double Tax Blow
Wellington residents face a double tax blow with the Wellington Fire Protection District’s (WFPD) proposed 0.5% sales tax, now layered atop Larimer County’s proposed 0.4% increase (0.15% for roads, 0.25% for preschool), totaling a 0.9% hike, both which are TABOR violating. This combined burden—adding up to 90 cents on a $100 purchase—stretches already strained budgets, especially with Wellington’s rise in water bills. This unnecessary tax unfairly hits residents. Vote NO on 6D, 1A, and 1B this November to protect your finances!
Affects Online Buys
6D sales tax, combined with Larimer County’s 1A and 1B sales taxes, hits harder than you might imagine, extending far beyond what you’ve been told! The WFPD ballot question, 6D, claims it shares fire service costs with out-of-towners to ease the community’s load, but it applies to YOUR online purchases, like YOUR Amazon orders, adding a total of 0.9% (0.5% WFPD + 0.4% County). Whether it’s essentials, gifts, or a household item, every click and delivery—45 cents on a $50 purchase or $1.80 on a $200 order—quietly drains your hard-earned money. Don’t let this tax erode your digital wallet and financial freedom. Vote NO on 6D, 1A, and 1B to protect your household budget from this hidden burden!
Don't Worry - No Service Change
There’s no need to worry about losing your current fire services if you vote NO on 6D, the Wellington Fire Protection District’s proposed 0.5% sales tax increase. The reality is that rejecting ballot issue 6D will maintain the status quo—your fire protection and emergency services will remain unchanged, with the district continuing to operate its two stations 24/7, supported by 21 full-time firefighters, as it has been doing effectively for Wellington’s 15,000 residents. Between the 2 stations, they get an average of 3 calls a day. 54% of calls are medical, 36% are fire, and 10% are motor vehicle accidents. Despite claims of equipment needs, the district just purchased a new fire engine in 2025, has had 91% growth in income over the past 6 years, and has $2M in reserves/savings. So, although the call volume has grown 35% over the past 6 years, WFPD’s revenue has grown 91% because of increases in property value and residential growth. If they use their money wisely, they should have enough revenue to support the call volume. A NO vote ensures this stability persists without adding an unfair financial burden. Vote NO on 6D to keep your fire services as they are without risking more of your money on an unnecessary tax hike.
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Paid for by Stop Wellington Tax Hike
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