Frequently Asked Questions

A Safer Windsor Severance

Answers to common questions about the proposed mill levy for Windsor Severance Fire Rescue: what it costs, where the money goes, and why it's needed.

What would it cost?

Example for a typical home in the first year of the phased increase.

$4.21

/month

for a $550,000 home in 2027

$50.49

/year

Actual costs depend on a property's assessed value and applicable state assessment rules.

information

Frequently Asked Questions

What is WSFR asking voters to approve?

A phased increase to the District's operating mill levy of up to 4 additional mills:

2027: +1.5 mills
2031: +1.5 mills (3 mills total)
2034: +1 mill (4 mills total)

The funding would support fire and emergency response personnel, apparatus and equipment, current services, an additional fire station, and improvements to existing facilities.

Why is additional funding needed?

WSFR's financial projections show operating costs outpacing revenue by 2027. Calls for service have increased 29% in five years, while personnel, apparatus and operating costs have increased. Changes to Colorado's property-tax system have also affected revenue available to special districts.

What would it cost homeowners?

Example: $550,000 home

2027: $4.21/month — $50.49/year
2031: $8.42/month — $100.98/year
2034: $11.22/month — $134.64/year

The increase would be phased in over seven years. Actual costs depend on a property's assessed value and applicable state assessment rules.

For comparison, a $1.5 million home would pay approximately $12.16/month in 2027, $24.31/month in 2031, and $32.41/month in 2034.

Does 4 mills mean my property taxes increase by 4%?

No. A mill is not a percentage. One mill equals $1 of tax for every $1,000 of assessed value. The proposal would phase in a maximum increase of 4 mills through 2034.

Where would the money go?

The ballot identifies funding for:

Fire and emergency response personnel
Apparatus and equipment
Maintaining and improving emergency services
An additional fire station
Remodeling existing facilities

Why does WSFR need more firefighters?

Emergency calls do not occur one at a time. A major incident can require significant personnel while medical calls, crashes and other emergencies continue throughout the District. Additional personnel are part of WSFR's long-term plan to maintain response capability as the community and call volume grow.

Why is another fire station needed?

As Windsor and Severance grow, both emergency call volume and the geographic area requiring coverage increase. A future station would position personnel, apparatus and equipment closer to developing areas of the community.

Why not wait until the new station is needed?

Fire stations take years to plan and develop. Land acquisition, design, construction, hiring, training and apparatus procurement all require significant lead time. Planning ahead allows emergency resources to keep pace with community growth.

Is WSFR asking for a blank check?

The ballot identifies specific uses for the revenue and establishes a maximum mill levy. The District is not necessarily required to levy the maximum amount authorized.

What about oil and gas revenue?

Oil and gas contributes to WSFR's tax base, but that revenue can fluctuate significantly. According to WSFR, oil and gas tax revenue declined 52% between 2024 and 2025. The mill levy applies across the District's taxable property base, including residential, commercial, and oil and gas property.

What happens if the measure does not pass?

WSFR would have to reevaluate future personnel, apparatus, facility and service plans based on available revenue. As population and call volume continue to grow, existing personnel and apparatus would have to absorb additional demand.

How will taxpayers know how the money is being managed?

WSFR maintains a public budget process, undergoes annual independent financial audits, and makes financial information available to the public. The proposed increase is phased over several years rather than implementing the full increase immediately.

What does the $44,336,787 in the ballot language mean?

The ballot states that taxes may be increased by up to $44,336,787 by tax year 2034.

WSFR planning materials also reference approximately $57 million over 10 years through 2036. These figures measure different things: $44.3 million is the maximum tax-increase amount stated in the ballot language for tax year 2034 after the phased increases, while approximately $57 million is a projected cumulative amount over the 10-year planning period. Actual revenue may vary based on property values, assessment rates and economic conditions.

Why can't WSFR just use its existing budget?

Existing revenue pays for personnel, apparatus, equipment, facilities, training, maintenance, fuel, insurance and other operating expenses. WSFR projects that existing revenue will not keep pace with the cost of providing services as the community grows.

Is WSFR part of the Town of Windsor or Severance?

No. WSFR is an independent fire protection district with its own elected Board of Directors, budget and funding. It is separate from the Towns of Windsor and Severance and Weld and Larimer Counties.

What happens if the measure does not pass?

How will taxpayers know how the money is being managed?

WSFR maintains a public budget process, undergoes annual independent financial audits, and makes financial information available to the public. The proposed increase is phased over several years rather than implementing the full increase immediately.

What does the $44,336,787 in the ballot language mean?

The ballot states that taxes may be increased by up to $44,336,787 by tax year 2034.

WSFR planning materials also reference approximately $57 million over 10 years through 2036. These figures measure different things: $44.3 million is the maximum tax-increase amount stated in the ballot language for tax year 2034 after the phased increases, while approximately $57 million is a projected cumulative amount over the 10-year planning period. Actual revenue may vary based on property values, assessment rates and economic conditions.

Why can't WSFR just use its existing budget?

Is WSFR part of the Town of Windsor or Severance?

Why is the union communicating about the measure?

As a public entity, WSFR is subject to Colorado campaign-finance laws governing the use of taxpayer-funded resources for ballot-measure advocacy. The District can provide factual information, while the union is a separate organization that can use its own resources for campaign activity.

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Windsor Severance firefighter putting out residential fire

Windsor Severance Firefighter with firetruck in front of wildland fire

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