City of Louisville Ballot Issue 2A: Yes on Open Space Tax Extension

City of Louisville Ballot Issue 2A

Open Space Sales Tax Extension

Yes

No

The city of Louisville currently owns and maintains 698 acres of open space and jointly owns another 1,117 acres of land with its neighbors, Boulder and Lafayette. To fund it, residents and visitors to Louisville have paid a 0.375 percent sales tax since 1994. The tax was extended another 10 years in 2004, and Ballot Issue 2A asks voters to extend the tax for yet another 10 years, which would mean it would expire in 2024.

In addition to maintenance, upkeep and trail building, the money also goes to purchasing new property should the opportunity arise. The city has four properties on its wish list, and the prospective purchases would create a buffer of open space between Louisville and Lafayette and Louisville and Broomfield.

Open space defines the look and reputation of Boulder County; part of what makes Boulder County such a desirable place to live is the vast bounty of trails and wilderness areas available to residents. On the other hand, having more open space can drive up property values, forcing lower-income residents into surrounding cities with cheaper costs of living and potentially decreasing diversity within the city.

The positives of open space, however, outweigh the negatives. From promoting a healthy lifestyle to preserving the pristine mountain views that make Colorado great, more wilderness is a plus. We think a yes vote for 2A is the way to go.

Respond: letters@boulderweekly.com