The Westminster ballot measure would help renew and expand the fire department

WESTIMINSTER, Colo. – Westminster firefighters hope to upgrade their aging firehouses if voters approve ballot measure 3C, which would increase the city’s sales tax.

The measure would result in a 0.5% increase in the sales tax, adding $0.05 for every $10 spent. The tax would generate an additional $19 million annually for the fire department.

“It addresses a need we’ve had for a while,” said firefighter August Rasche, a local firefighter. board member of the union.

Rasche said the additional revenue would provide:

• 45 new firefighters and paramedics
• two ambulances and fire trucks
• two new fire stations
• renovation of the current three stations

Firefighters work according to a standard procedure for a response time of four minutes. Rasche said it is difficult for Westminster Fire to meet that response time due to increased call volume and coverage gaps.
According to Westminster fire officials, the department saw a 37% increase in calls from 2020 to 2023.

“We started with about 7,000 calls for service when I first started here, and now we’re at over 17,000 calls,” said Acting Westminster Fire Chief Erik Birk.

The fire department would also build a new training facility to help firefighters who often have to leave town for training procedures.

If the agreement is approved, Rasche hopes the two new stations will be completed and fully staffed within the next three years. The increase in sales tax will take effect at the start of the new financial year.

“If we could build a station tomorrow, they would immediately field 1,800 calls that first year,” Rasche said.

Those opposed to the measure argue that, if approved, Westminster would have the second-highest sales tax rate in Adams County.

Additionally, opponents of the issue argue that 3C would push tax dollars out of the city while residents would shop in surrounding communities to avoid paying more for goods and services.