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The main reason I’m running for Arvada’s First District City Council seat is simple: I believe Metro Districts are an existential threat to our city’s “Success Loop.” These taxing entities are complicated by design, and most residents don’t realize the long-term burden they create until it’s too late.
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On this page, I’ll break down what Metro Districts are, how they negatively impact homeowners and neighborhoods, and—most importantly—what I’ll do to fight back. My commitment is clear: protect Arvada families from hidden debt, safeguard our tax base, and ensure that growth in our city strengthens us rather than trapping future generations in obligations they never agreed to.
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What Are Metro Districts?
Metro Districts are special government entities set up by developers to finance new neighborhoods. Instead of the developer paying for streets, utilities, and infrastructure up front, the Metro District borrows money — then repays it through extra property taxes on homeowners. On paper, it sounds like a tool for growth. In practice, it often saddles families with decades of debt they didn’t ask for and can’t easily escape.
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How Do Metro Districts Hurt Homeowners?
The problem with Metro Districts is twofold. First, the taxes are hidden in the fine print, so many buyers don’t realize what they’re signing up for until after they move in. Second, the repayment structures are designed to benefit developers, not residents — meaning families pay higher taxes for years while getting little added value. This extra financial burden makes homes harder to sell, reduces neighborhood stability, and ultimately drives up the cost of living across Arvada.
Why It Matters for Arvada
Metro Districts don’t just affect individual homeowners — they weaken the city as a whole. Tax revenue that should be going into public services and infrastructure is siphoned off to pay developer debt. That breaks what I call Arvada’s “Success Loop”: a cycle where smart investment leads to stronger neighborhoods, thriving businesses, and a better quality of life for everyone. If left unchecked, Metro Districts put the city’s long-term health at risk.
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Year 1: The Surprise
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Sticker shock on property taxes. At closing, you’re told your property taxes will include a “mill levy” for the metro district. You don’t fully realize what that means until the bill arrives — and it’s hundreds or even thousands more than you expected.
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Confusion about who’s in charge. You want to know what exactly you’re paying for, but you find out the district is run by a board (usually controlled by the developer at first), not your city council.
Years 2–3: The Growing Frustration
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Fees without representation. You’re paying taxes for the district, but you don’t get much of a say in how money is spent — because developers and their allies often control the board until enough homes are sold.
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Debt you didn’t sign up for. You learn your metro district took out tens or even hundreds of millions in bonds to build infrastructure. That debt is now yours to pay off through higher taxes — for decades.
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Service confusion. You might call the city about a park or streetlight repair, only to be told “that’s the metro district’s responsibility.” Meanwhile, the metro district may not have the budget (or willingness) to fix it quickly.
Years 4–5: The Realization
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Tax creep. Your property taxes rise because of ongoing bond payments, operational costs, or new mill levies added by the district board. Even if your mortgage rate stays the same, your monthly payment increases because of taxes.
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Limited resale appeal. When you try to refinance or sell, potential buyers notice the high metro district tax burden — making your home less attractive compared to a similar house outside a district.
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Fighting for control. You and neighbors may finally gain enough voting power to run for the district board, but by then much of the debt and contracts are already locked in. You inherit the mess.
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My Commitment
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As your District 1 Councilmember, I will fight to bring transparency, accountability, and fairness to Metro Districts in Arvada. That means shining a light on how these districts operate, pushing for stronger disclosures so homebuyers know exactly what they’re getting into, and working to limit the unchecked power of developers. My goal is simple: keep Arvada growing responsibly while protecting homeowners from hidden taxes and broken promises.
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