Confused about Lafayette ballot questions?

What you should know

Photo by Joshua Woroniecki on Unsplash

I’m seeing some confusion regarding what folks see in the ballot book and on their ballot. There is one ballot question for all of us to vote on. Two are related to the potential new Downtown Development Authority (DDA) that could replace the Lafayette Urban Renewal Authority (LURA) most of us don’t qualify to vote on those issues. Here’s a rundown.

EDITED TO ADD:

Popping back to this piece to add a bit more info about why only some ballot questions are in the booklet you received in the mail. The Notice of Election booklet from Boulder County is related to TABOR which requires voter approval for an increase in taxes or debt. Question 2A is not tax-related hence it’s not mentioned in the book.

BALLOT QUESTION 2A - WE ALL VOTE ON THIS

In May 2024 Lafayette police officers petitioned the city requesting collective bargaining with the Fraternal Order of Police as their representatives.

In 2015 68.6% of the voters approved a ballot question to obligate the city to engage in collective bargaining with the local chapter of the International Association of Firefighters.

The city council decided to follow the same method used in 2015 for the firefighters and ask the voters if they would approve collective bargaining for the police officers. The city attorney used the same language from 2015 to create question 2A.

BALLOT QUESTIONS 6A AND 6B - WE DON’T ALL VOTE ON THIS

This is the district that will be created if 6A is approved. It’s a slightly new configuration of the urban renewal district that has been in effect for the past 25 years. As I’ve written about in previous posts a state-regulated board called LURA uses money collected in the district — by a method called tax increment financing (TIF) — to fund improvements ranging from streetscaping to assisting new and existing businesses with renovation or construction. The LURA TIF has a 25-year lifespan and that life ends in October 2024 hence the consideration of a potential replacement.

WHO VOTES ON THESE TWO QUESTIONS

• property owners in the proposed district

• residents in the proposed district

• people who don’t live in the proposed district but lease or rent property, for instance, those who have a retail shop or restaurant but don’t own the building and may also live in another community

BALLOT QUESTION 6A

A yes vote will authorize the creation of a new entity in effect for the next 30 years called a Downtown Development Authority (DDA). This will be a new board with members appointed by the city council and a city staff member providing oversight and assistance. That’s what LURA is today. However, unlike LURA all board members must come from the new district, either as property or business owners and there will be a different focus.

LURA was charged with addressing blight per the state statute and had the power of eminent domain or condemnation. This new entity would not have the power of eminent domain. If the ballot issue is approved the new board would adopt a plan currently in draft form called the Old Town Tomorrow Action Plan. It includes providing support and retention for small businesses, recruiting new locally-owned businesses, preserving the unique character of Old Town, encouraging reuse of existing buildings and infill, enhancing public gathering spaces, supporting creativity and culture, marketing, and supporting more special events.

BALLOT QUESTION 6B

As with LURA, funding is needed. A yes vote on this question would authorize the creation of tax increment financing or TIF. Current property and sales tax collections in the district will be tallied and used to create what is called the base. All taxes collected above that base will go into the account used to fund the board’s spending on items from the plan. The property tax base will be adjusted every two years. LURA might transfer funds from their account to help jump-start the DDA.

Learn more about all this on the city’s website. Here are a few places to check out.

The Draft Action Plan

Background, DDA fact sheets, and FAQs

ARE YOU ELIGIBLE TO VOTE?

Most of us won’t be eligible. If you look at the map and think you might be, check out this document for all the details on how to figure it out.

Find an interactive map at the bottom of this page on the city website. You can search your address to see if you are in the district.

IF YOU DIDN’T GET A BALLOT BUT KNOW YOU ARE ELIGIBLE

FROM THE CITY WEBSITE

Eligible voters within the DDA boundary include those who own or lease real property, or reside within the boundary. Eligible voters must be an active registered Colorado voter. Follow the Check Your Eligibility to Vote Infographic to determine if you are eligible to vote in the election, and how to obtain a ballot.

• To register to vote in the State of Colorado, or to update your voter registration visit the Colorado Secretary of State website.

• If you live and are registered to vote at an address within the DDA boundary, your general election ballot will be mailed to you automatically and include the DDA ballot question and ballot issue. No further action is required.

• If you are not registered to vote within the DDA boundary, but own or lease real property within the DDA boundary in your own name (NOT in an LLC), you must complete and submit a Ballot Request/Self-Affirmation Form to obtain a ballot.

• If you are affiliated with a legal entity (e.g. a LLC) that owns or leases real property within the DDA boundary, you must complete and submit a Designation of Elector Form to identify a person to vote on behalf of the entity and receive a ballot. The designated person cannot vote twice in this election. Only one person can be designated by each entity, and each voter can only cast one vote. Multiple entities cannot designate the same person. By filling out this form, you will receive a ballot. You do not need to fill out a Ballot Request/Self-Affirmation Form.

• Both the Ballot Request/Self-Affirmation and Designation of Elector Forms must be returned to the Boulder County Elections Division. They can be returned via email to specialdistricts@bouldercounty.gov or in-person at 1750 33rd Street, Suite 200, Boulder, CO. Once eligibility is confirmed, the Boulder County Elections Division will mail you, or your designated elector, a DDA ballot.

• To be sent a ballot by mail, forms must be received in the Boulder County Elections Division Office no later than Monday, October 28. After October 28, you must go in-person to the Boulder County Elections Division or a Boulder County Vote Center to receive a ballot up until 7pm on Election Day, Tuesday, November 5, 2024.

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