Metro District Education Coalition: About Colorado-Based Metro Districts

WHY METRO DISTRICTS?

WHY METRO
DISTRICTS?

In 2019, before the pandemic, Colorado already had the nation’s 7th worst housing shortage – and it’s only gotten worse.

In the next 7 years, Colorado needs to build 500,000 more places for people to live just to break even. This includes apartments, condos, duplexes, townhomes, and single-family homes.

Metro districts are a proven approach to building critical infrastructure to support new neighborhoods and planned communities, including more affordable housing options.

Cities and counties can’t raise taxes to pay for new neighborhood construction & infrastructure because existing residents (voters) believe that new growth should pay for itself.

WHAT ARE
METRO DISTRICTS?

WHAT ARE
METRO
DISTRICTS?

Metro districts are an established unit of government with local and state regulatory oversight.

Metro districts are the financing tool that allows public infrastructure and amenities like roads, sewer, trails, and parks to be built in new communities.

They are formed by submitting a detailed service plan to the local city or town council, board of trustees, or county commissions for review and approval during a public hearing. These local authorities have oversight and controls over limits on taxation, fees, and services.

HOW DO METRO
DISTRICTS
WORK?

Metro districts can borrow money at lower interest rates, allowing them to build public infrastructure and homes more efficiently and affordably.

Property owners within the boundaries of a metro district pay a higher tax that contributes to paying down the debt over time.