MDEC, in collaboration with a bipartisan group of legislators, passed SB23-110 into law

MYTHBUSTERS

There is a perception that metro districts are the Wild West and can do anything they please with taxpayer dollars. That is simply not true, as metro districts are governed by state statutes and local ordinances establishing the laws that they must comply with.

MYTH

Metro district boards can refinance debt without any restrictions, even if it exceeds the approved service plan.

FACT

A metro district board can only refinance debt within the constraints of the service plan that was approved by the authorizing city or county.

MYTH

Metro districts actually drive-up housing costs by adding extra fees and taxes to homeowners

FACT

Metro districts help to keep the cost of housing low by providing a financing tool for critical community infrastructure.

MYTH

Metro districts have the authority to construct private infrastructure for the benefit of select individuals.

FACT

By law, metro districts are only able to construct public infrastructure like roads, sewer, parks, and trails.

MYTH

Metro districts operate in secrecy and are not required to adhere to transparency laws.

FACT

Metro districts are subject to Colorado Open Meetings laws and the Colorado Open Records Act.

MYTH

Metropolitan districts contribute to the gentrification of neighborhoods, making housing less affordable for local residents.

FACT

Metropolitan districts all across the state of Colorado are helping to keep the cost of housing affordable by financing necessities like water, sewer, and roads using low interest bonds that are paid over time, similar to a mortgage.

MYTH

Developments utilizing metro districts rarely allocate housing units for affordable or workforce housing, prioritizing profit over community needs.

FACT

Many developments in metro districts have affordable and workforce attainable housing in them.

MYTH

Metro district board members are exempt from disclosing conflicts of interest, leading to potential corruption and favoritism.

FACT

Metro district board members must file any conflicts of interest just like other local elected officials.

MYTH

Metro districts operate with little oversight and are not held accountable to the same transparency standards as other local governmental entities.

FACT

Metro districts are subject to transparency and disclosure laws just like municipalities, counties, and other local governmental entities.

MYTH

Residents of metro districts have no meaningful representation or voice in the decision-making process.

FACT

Residents of metro districts have elected representation at two different levels. The first is the municipality or county elected body and the second is the metro district board of directors, all of whom are subject to election laws and are accountable to their residents.

MYTH

Metro districts actually increase housing costs by imposing additional fees and taxes on homeowners.

FACT

Metro districts help to keep the cost of housing low by providing a path for infrastructure development that would otherwise be an immediate burden to new homebuyers.

MYTH

Metropolitan districts solely focus on their own interests and do not engage in initiatives that benefit the broader community.

FACT

Metropolitan districts all across the state of Colorado are doing innovative things to better the residents in their communities. For example, check out what they did in Tallyn’s Reach CLICK HERE.

MYTH

Metro districts struggle to address the needs of residents due to limited funding and lack of collaboration.

FACT

Through partnerships and collaboration, metropolitan districts are able to pool their limited funding resources to meet the needs of their residents. For example, check out what the Mountain Brook metro district did CLICK HERE.

MYTH

Cities and counties have little control over the financial management of metro districts, leaving taxpayers vulnerable to mismanagement.

FACT

Cities and counties set the mill levy caps and the maximum term for debt service for metropolitan districts through a publicly approved service plan.

MYTH

Only individuals with vested interests in metro district projects are encouraged to run for board positions.

FACT

Residents are encouraged to run for metro district boards.

MYTH

The nomination process for metro district board positions is secretive and excludes eligible residents from participating.

FACT

Registered electors of metropolitan districts created after January 1, 2000 will receive an email or a mailed notice of the Call for Nominations.

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