Sales and Use Tax Measure on the November 2026 Ballot

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Overview

Voters will decide whether to increase the City’s sales and use tax to help fund transportation infrastructure.

The Centennial City Council has approved a ballot measure asking voters to consider 1% sales and use tax at the November 3, 2026, election.

If approved by voters, the City’s sales and use tax rate would increase from 2.5% to 3.5%. The increase is projected to generate approximately $27 million annually to support transportation infrastructure and improvements throughout Centennial.

Why is Centennial considering an increase?

Centennial, like communities across Colorado, is facing rising construction costs and aging infrastructure. At the same time, available revenues are not keeping pace with the cost of maintaining the City’s roads, bridges, sidewalks, traffic signals and other transportation infrastructure.

The City’s Street Fund currently receives approximately $15 million in dedicated annual revenue, while maintaining and operating Centennial’s transportation infrastructure requires a minimum of approximately $35 million each year. This creates an annual funding gap of roughly $20 million or more.

For several years, the City has used General Fund savings and cash reserves to help address this gap. Those resources are projected to be exhausted by 2028.

Without additional funding, the City anticipates increasing challenges in maintaining existing infrastructure, completing needed repairs and advancing transportation projects identified in the City’s Transportation Master Plan.

How would the additional revenue be used?

If approved by voters, revenue from the 1% increase would be dedicated to transportation infrastructure and related Public Works needs.

Funding could support:

  • Roadway maintenance and paving
  • Bridge repairs and improvements
  • Sidewalk and bicycle facilities
  • Traffic signal replacements
  • Street lighting
  • Snow removal
  • Street sweeping
  • Future transportation capital improvements

The Ballot Language(PDF, 29KB) dedicates the revenue to Public Works-related services and transportation improvements in the City’s Street Fund. It also provides for annual reporting through the City’s independent audit process, with the information published on the City’s website and reviewed by the Centennial Audit Committee and City Council.

Learn more

Residents are encouraged to learn more about Centennial’s budget outlook, long-term financial planning and the challenges facing the City’s Street Fund.

Visit yourcitybudget.co to learn more. 

View Centennial Budget Reality Fact Sheet(PDF, 1MB).

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