Council reviews first‑round polling showing support for street maintenance, bike/ped projects and a 1% sales tax; staff and pollster propose targeted follow‑up

At a special study session after the June 8 council meeting, consultants Mellan Strategies presented results of a first‑round poll of Wheat Ridge registered voters exploring appetite for capital investment and possible funding mechanisms.

The 678‑response survey (fielded May 14–29 and weighted to expected midterm turnout) showed strong support for proactive infrastructure maintenance (81% rated it high or medium priority) and high interest in funding bike and pedestrian network gaps and preserving former school sites for parks and athletic fields. When asked about financing options, a proposed 1‑cent sales tax increase registered about 60% support in the poll, while a 10‑mill property tax increase drew about 24% support.

Ryan Winger of Mellan told council that respondents are persuaded by messages noting that non‑residents pay a large share of sales tax revenue and by arguments that delaying maintenance will increase future costs. Opposition drivers include affordability concerns and belief the city should maintain low taxes.

Councilors pressed for more granular testing — for example, comparing a half‑cent versus a full‑cent sales tax, testing package configurations (which priorities to bundle together), and measuring the effect of competing ballot measures (county or school district asks) on local support. Staff said they plan extensive July community outreach (20 district events) and recommended a second, shorter, focused poll in mid‑July to test specific ballot language and packaging options; that timeline is feasible for first reading of ballot language on August 10 if council makes decisions in late July.

Council discussion surfaced a few implementation and timing constraints: some projects (e.g., acquisition of school sites on the Lutheran Legacy Campus) have time‑sensitive windows; other projects are better suited to one‑time or sunset funding while street maintenance may be structured as a permanent dedicated fund. Council directed staff to return with draft poll language and talking points for the July outreach; staff and consultants will include options for split measures (e.g., core infrastructure and community projects versus civic center/public works facility) and test competing‑measure scenarios.