The City of Brighton recently conducted a survey to gather community input regarding a potential sales tax increase to create a dedicated funding source for the city’s police department. Due to the growing public safety demands facing our community, Brighton City Council is exploring placing a question on the November ballot to ask residents for a sales tax increase in order to ensure our police department has the resources it needs now and into the future.

Magellan Strategies, along with Brighton Police Chief Matthew Domenico, presented the results to the City Council last night at a Study Session meeting. Survey results find that the community supports the Brighton Police Department and 78% of respondents agree they are doing a good job. 

The ballot measure would ask voters to approve a 0.15% sales tax increase, which would cost consumers 15 cents on a $100 purchase. This is anticipated to generate $2 million annually, significantly impacting the City’s ability to provide public safety resources directly to the community. The City would be able to add up to 12 new positions, and examples of service enhancements that could be provided may include, but are not limited to:

Additional task force detectives to address specific crimes such as motor vehicle theft, sexual assault, and other felonies

Additional patrol, traffic, and investigations officers

The creation of an Impact Team that would be able to quickly respond to crime issues impacting the community.

The survey results showed that 63 percent of respondents supported a sales tax increase ballot measure after learning the purpose is to create a dedicated funding source for the Brighton Police Department.

To view a full report of survey results, visit www.brightonco.gov/publicsafetysurveyresults.  

City Council will be giving direction to refer a ballot measure at an upcoming council meeting. If the majority of council approves the ballot measure being referred, residents will have the opportunity to vote on this important measure in November.  

For questions about the survey results, please contact Communications & Engagement Director Kristen Chernosky at kchernosky@brightonco.gov or 303-655-2061. 

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