My Plan: Smarter Development Agreements That Put Residents First

For too long, Commerce City’s growth has been shaped by development agreements that push nearly every new project into a metro district. These districts were supposed to be tools for financing infrastructure, but the way they’ve been used has created a system that too often works against homeowners and makes it harder to attract the businesses our community needs.

Why This Matters

Homeowners already feel the pain of metro districts. Layering unpredictable metro district taxes on top of already rising costs has left many residents frustrated and distrustful of the system and rightfully so.

But the problem doesn’t stop with neighborhoods. When commercial properties get swept into metro districts, businesses face an even steeper hurdle. Unlike residential, which is assessed at just 6.25% for property taxes, commercial property is taxed at 27%. Add an unpredictable metro district mill levy tax on top of that, and many business owners decide it’s too risky to invest here. That’s why so many restaurants, shops, and services end up in neighboring cities instead of Commerce City.

My Approach

We can’t change that much of Commerce City’s remaining land is already in metro districts but we don’t have to accept the status quo. I’ll push for smarter agreements going forward and work with existing districts to renegotiate where possible, reducing barriers for businesses, improving transparency, and making sure these districts serve our community, not just developers.

• Carve-outs for businesses: I’ll push to ensure that commercial properties are not automatically pulled into metro districts. Businesses need stability, not surprise tax bills.

• Use smarter models: Cities like Brighton already use better approaches for funding public improvements, approaches that welcome businesses without saddling them with extra, unpredictable costs.

• Protect residents and our tax base: By reducing the risk for businesses, we can attract the shops, restaurants, and employers Commerce City residents have been promised, without asking homeowners to shoulder the burden.

My Commitment

I don’t support the way metro districts have been used, and I know homeowners are fed up. But until we can stop this broken system entirely, I’m committed to working within it in smarter ways that protect residents and finally bring the commercial growth we’ve been waiting for.

This isn’t about developer profits, it’s about creating a Commerce City that works for the people who live here. Smarter agreements today mean more stability for homeowners, more opportunity for small businesses, and a stronger community for all of us.

Safer Streets, Smarter Mobility

I’ll prioritize investments that make daily life better and protect your time and safety:

• Fix what’s failing first maintain and resurface roads where it matters most for safety and value.
• Upgrade aging county roads: Modernize our rural and outdated roadways so they can handle current traffic and the demands of Commerce City’s future growth.
• Plan ahead for capacity: Ensure land is set aside and roadways are designed with future expansion in mind, so we aren’t boxed in later without the space to meet growing transportation needs.