Metro District Policy Listening Session

The Board of Trustees is considering adopting a policy to act as a guide for the Board’s consideration of Metropolitan (Metro) District Service Plans. Metro Districts are often proposed by developers as a way to help finance new development. This is a common practice throughout Colorado, not just in Erie. Metro Districts are completely separate entities from, and not controlled by the Town. This means that Metro Districts can implement their own funding stream (property taxes) that are not in any way distributed outside of the District. The Town’s only authority with regard to Metro Districts is the Board of Trustees’ ability to approve a Metro District Service Plan and monitor the District’s actions to determine if the adopted plan is followed.
Such plans specify, among other things, the district boundaries, the public infrastructure that will be constructed within the district, the maximum property tax rates the Metro District may impose within the district to finance that public infrastructure, and any disclosure requirements to alert those considering purchasing property of the existence of the District.
Metro Districts are an important financing tool that enables a new residential development to “pay its own way” without imposing financial burdens on the existing community. However, the reasonableness of tax levies in Metro Districts has been a subject of concern. The attached draft policy is intended to address this concern and to, among other things:

Clarify the Town’s Policy Objectives regarding:

Environmental Sustainability Outcomes
Critical Public Infrastructure
Smart Growth Management
Strategic Priorities:
- Sustainability Outcomes
- Oil and Gas
- Economic Health Outcomes
- Attainable Housing
- Affordable Housing

Clarify the Town’s Evaluation Criteria for Metro District Service Plans
Specify Metro District Service Plan Requirements

Town leadership appreciates your review and comments on this draft policy by Oct. 25.
To help explain the draft policy in more detail and facilitate your review, on Oct. 14 Town staff will conduct a virtual Listening/Q&A session on this draft policy. Stay tuned for specific information on how to participate in that session.
Comments can be made out loud at the Listening Session or they can be submitted by emailing contactus@erieco.gov (please use the subject line “Draft Metro District Policy”) or can be written and mailed to Town of Erie, P.O. Box 750, Erie CO 80516.
We will summarize all comments submitted by Oct. 25 and share them with the Board of Trustees for review as part of the Board’s formal consideration of this draft policy. The schedule for the Board’s consideration is as follows:

Nov. 2: Board Study Session to review comments received to date and discuss possible revisions to the draft policy.
Dec. 14: Board Regular Meeting to discuss the revised draft policy and take additional public comments as a General Business item.
Jan. 11, 2022: Board consideration of a resolution to adopt a final draft of the policy.

You can also track the project and submit any questions on EngageErie at https://erieco.us/metro-districts. Thank you for your help in reviewing this matter!

Halloween Safety Stop

Calling all Pirates of the Caribbean fans – join the Town of Erie Police Department and hop aboard the Black Pearl for a fun and magical treasure hunt through the building, complete with a (temporary) Tattoo Parlor and Caribbean beach photo booth on Sunday, Oct. 31 beginning at 4 p.m. Registration is required for a 20-minute adventure. But, don't delay – this one fills up fast!

Fully Vaccinated Verification Program

Businesses, facilities, and events can voluntarily become approved as a Fully Vaccinated Facility/Event, which would allow individuals within the approved indoor space to remove their masks. As an example of how this could work, our very own Erie Community Center is working on possibly holding some scheduled fully vaccinated workout classes that, with the verification program, could be held without masks. How could your business benefit from this program? More details, to include the application, are available on the Boulder County COVID-19 website..

Stay Informed

Did you know the Town of Erie has an alert notification system to tell you when your favorite outdoor amenities, including the Coal Creek Disc Golf Course and the Singletrack Trails at Sunset Open Space, are closed due to maintenance or weather? Subscribe to email or text message notifications at www.erieco.gov/NotifyMe.

Fall Tree Incentive Program

The Residential Tree Rebate Program and the New Home Tree Incentive Program are open for the fall planting season!

Tree Rebate Program: Residents are eligible to receive up to a $150 utility bill credit with proof of a qualifying tree purchase!
New Build Tree Incentive Program: Qualifying homes receive a $200 certificate toward purchasing up to two (2) qualifying trees to be planted at your newly constructed home!

Purchases must be made during the fall optimal planting period (Sept. – Oct. 31) to be eligible for either program. Visit the website to learn more and apply!

Free COVID-19 Testing

Free COVID-19 testing is available seven days per week at the Boulder County Fairgrounds (9595 Nelson Road, Longmont). Anyone who has been exposed to COVID-19 should get tested. People who are not fully vaccinated should seek testing 5-7 days after exposure (3-5 days for those that are fully vaccinated) or at any time if experiencing symptoms. Community members exposed to COVID-19 should follow the instructions on how to quarantine and watch for symptoms for 14 days. A complete list of testing providers can be found at boco.org/covid19testing.

Real-time Air Monitoring Dashboard

The Public Data Portal is now available to view information from the Town’s new air quality monitoring stations operated by Ajax Analytics and Colorado State University. The stations were deployed in phases this summer near oil and gas well pads and in adjacent neighborhoods as part of Erie's Air Quality Monitoring Program. For details, view the news release or view the Board of Trustees meeting (starting at 1:12:00).

Where Should Voter Service Centers Be Located?

The Boulder County Elections Division is conducting outreach to learn where residents believe voter service centers, polling centers, and 24-hour mail ballot boxes should be located for the 2022 General Election. If you have ideas about the best places for Erie to vote, be sure to complete the survey! The survey is open through Dec. 1 and can be found by visiting www.BoCo.org/2022ElectionSurvey. For additional information, visit bouldercountyvotes.org.