Politics
Pueblo County Sales Tax Referendum for Road Repairs: Effects on Local Household Spending
The November ballot measure would raise the county sales tax by half a cent per dollar on most purchases made by Pueblo residents.
How we reported this
The Pueblo County ballot measure proposes a permanent 0.5 percent increase in the county sales tax to fund road and bridge maintenance projects. The change would apply to the roughly 110,000 residents who make taxable purchases within county limits if voters approve it on the November 2026 ballot.
County officials placed the measure on the ballot after the 2025 budget document identified a $12.4 million gap between current road repair needs and available funds. State transportation allocations have not kept pace with inflation-adjusted costs for asphalt and labor since 2022, leaving local streets with documented pothole clusters on routes such as Colorado Highway 50 and Abriendo Avenue.
Daily costs for Pueblo households
A household that spends $600 a month on groceries, clothing, and household supplies would pay an additional $36 a year under the proposed rate. The tax would also apply to vehicle repairs, restaurant meals, and building materials purchased at local stores. Residents who buy gasoline in the county would see the increase added at the pump on top of existing state and federal fuel taxes.
The legislation states that all revenue must go into a dedicated transportation fund audited each year by the county finance department. No portion could be shifted to general government operations or employee salaries. Policy analysts note that similar dedicated taxes in other Colorado counties have produced steady annual collections without mid-year rate changes.
County records show the current sales tax rate stands at 3.5 percent for most transactions. Approval would raise that to 4.0 percent. The measure includes a sunset review after eight years, at which point voters could renew, adjust, or repeal the rate through another referendum.
The Pueblo County Clerk and Recorder office has scheduled voter information sessions at the county courthouse on August 12 and September 9. Ballots will be mailed to registered voters beginning October 12. Results are expected the evening of November 3.