Week of November 17, 2022
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An edition of the Littleton Independent A publication of
VOLUME 21 | ISSUE 52
Fewer metro area property owners County cements blue hold are challenging assessments on board of commissioners
More could come as market fluctuates
Democrats Summey, Campbell-Swanson elected
BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
As home prices in the counties around Denver shot up over the last decade, tens of thousands of residents argued officials incorrectly estimated the values of homes and other properties. They demanded their taxes be reduced. But that trend, practically a rite in some regions, reversed in recent years. Challenges filed with county assessors declined as homeowners apparently acknowledged the rising cost of real estate. “People today understand that values have been going up dramatically,” said Scot Kersgaard, the Jefferson County assessor. “Day after day, week after week, it’s been in the newspaper constantly.” The news is also on websites, like Zillow, Redfin and Trulia, which SEE ASSESSMENTS, P12
BY ELLIS ARNOLD, ROBERT TANN EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM, RTANN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
ballot question stated the tax revenue would be “spent on projects and services addressing visitor impacts in the areas of public safety and any other lawful municipal purpose.” When Centennial City Council approved the ballot question in a 6-3 vote on Sept. 6, city staff explained “public safety” is a broad definition that can apply to a variety of services and projects. The tax revenue did not necessarily have to be used for public safety,
In the race for two district seats on the Arapahoe County Board of Commissioners, voters cemented the county’s strong blue shift, electing two Democrats in Districts 2 and 4 and handing the party a 4-1 board majority. Jessica Campbell-Swanson of District 2 and Leslie Summey of District 4 won decisive victories over their Republican opponents after campaigning on progressive messages around public health, housing and the working class. They will now join the leadership board that controls policy decisions and hundreds of millions in spending for the 650,000-person county. “I think people across demographics, age, gender, race, income, are starting to see some of the old tired ideas aren’t working and they’re ready for something else,” said Campbell-Swanson, a former English teacher, political attorney, campaign consultant and chief of staff for state Rep. Iman Jodeh. The five commissioners oversee Arapahoe County government and represent different parts of the county. District 2 includes Greenwood Village, parts of west Centennial, and part of the south Aurora and east Centennial area. District 4 covers southwest Aurora, roughly west of Buckley Road.
SEE LODGING, P2
SEE COUNTY, P9
Home values have been a source of contention between assessors and citizens for years but decreased recently. However, market fluctuations could increase tensions SHUTTERSTOCK IMAGE again.
Voters sink lodging tax measure in Centennial City proposed a 3.5% lodging tax BY TAYLER SHAW TSHAW@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
The majority of Centennial voters were against the proposed 3.5% lodging tax placed on the 2022 ballot by the Centennial council. According to the unofficial results, 55.9% of votes turned out against the proposed tax, with 44.1% of
votes in favor. Currently, the city does not have a lodging tax, but it does have a 2.5% sales tax rate on lodging services. If voters had approved the ballot measure, the combined total would have been 6%. The lodging tax would have been imposed on the price of a shortterm rental, meaning less than 30 consecutive days, in any hotel, inn, bed and breakfast or Airbnb located in the city. If approved, the anticipated annual revenue was $1.05 million. The
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CHOW NOW
Charcuterie boards gain in popularity
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