CMC Ballot measure would restore CMC’s authority to invest in nurses, first responders, and skilled trades

GLENWOOD SPRINGS – At a meeting held at CMC’s Spring Valley campus in Glenwood Springs this week, the Colorado Mountain College Board of Trustees unanimously approved placing a measure on the November ballot that would restore its authority to use the mill levy provision approved by voters in 2018. Without imposing any new tax and without exceeding the limit approved by voters, this measure would enable CMC to expand training for nurses, first responders, in-demand skilled trades and develop innovative housing strategies to retain talent in mountain communities for a period of 10 years.

In 2018, voters provided the college’s locally elected trustees with authority to adjust the college’s mill levy solely for the purpose of maintaining revenues that would be lost due to statewide property tax assessment rate reductions. Since 2018, the trustees have used this authority responsibly and, over the past two years, the board voluntarily returned $47 million in relief to taxpayers by temporarily adjusting its mill downward to 3.23 mills (from 4.241) in response to rising property valuations and a balanced college budget. However, in 2024 the state legislature enacted HB24B-1001, which caps local governments’ revenue growth at 5.25% above the prior year’s level, thereby restricting CMC’s ability to responsibly adjust its revenues and mill levy in future years, even within the authority voters previously approved.

“This November’s vote is about reaffirming the trust voters placed in us in 2018,” said Chris Romer, President of the CMC Board of Trustees. “It is not a tax increase; it’s a restoration of local control, grounded in the investment our communities made in us seven years ago. With this flexibility, CMC will expand programs that are vital to local employers and lead to good jobs for students.”

Colorado Mountain College educates many of local firefighters, police officers, EMTs, nurses and K-12 teachers in the eight counties it serves. The college offers nine bachelor’s degrees and more than 120 other associate and certificate programs including paramedic, dental hygiene, and radiologic technology. More than 40% of CMC students participate in concurrent enrollment classes in local high schools, earning free college credits that apply to CMC degrees and certificates or transfer to other institutions.

“CMC has a long record of doing exactly what we say we’ll do, and of being careful stewards of the resources entrusted to us,” Romer said. “This measure allows us to continue that commitment to keep tuition affordable, expand programs that lead directly to good jobs and strengthen the communities we serve.”

Additionally, trustees approved:

• A solar array lease amendment at CMC Spring Valley
• A broadband lease agreement at CMC Spring Valley
• A cell tower lease amendment at CMC Steamboat Springs
• A contract for a learning materials program fee increase

CMC’s next board of trustees meeting will be held October 14-15 at CMC Leadville.