Castle Rock residents this November will decide on a sales tax increase that, if approved, would fund more first responders to accommodate a growing population and increase in local emergency response calls.

That’s after the Castle Rock Town Council on Tuesday night unanimously approved a .2% sales tax increase. Local voters — who most appear on board with the tax hike, with the lack of opposition voiced at Tuesday’s meeting — will have the final say at the polls in November.

If enacted, it would be Castle Rock’s first sales tax change since 2011. The home rule community between Denver and Colorado Springs has grown considerably in the past four years. Its population increased by over 10,000 people since 2020, prompting the town to project a higher need for first responders to 88,000 residents.

On Nov. 5, Castle Rock voters will be asked whether the town should increase the sales tax rate by .2 points, or 20 cents for every $100 spent, to solely fund more public safety officers. Both police and fire departments are supported by the Castle Rock sales tax.

“I need you to look in the mirror, and ask yourself if 20 cents out of $100 is worth supporting our police and fire departments,” Mayor Jason Gray said, approving the tax increase without hesitation.

In 2024, Castle Rock officials are asking locals to chip in enough to hire 40 public safety officers. Between 2025 and 2029, Castle Rock officials will look to hire 22 police officers and 18 firefighters.

In the past 10 years, the Castle Rock Police Department has reported a 200% increase in “immediate” or “urgent” emergency response calls, according to the department.

In 2019, the Castle Rock Police Department received 11,922 for service. Whereas, in 2024, the police department projects that number to reach 14,483 calls, according to police officials.

“It’s more than just the numbers. It’s about the complexity of calls that we’re experiencing at this point in time,” said Castle Rock Police Chief Jack Cauley. “We’re seeing more assaults on police officers and more individuals who are not complying with officers.”

In its proposal, Castle Rock officials said the sales tax increase is “projected to raise a little over half of the $7.6 million that would be needed annually in 2029 and beyond to fund the 40 proposed public safety positions.”

If voters approved, Castle Rock’s combined sales tax rate would reach 8.1%. Currently, Castle Rock’s sales tax rate sits at 4%, plus the 1% with Douglas County and 2.9% with the state.

“What this tax increase would mean for us would be a 75% increase in traffic officers, a 63% increase in school resource officers, and 14% increase in officers on shift,” Cauley said.

Currently, Castle Rock has 1.1 officers per 1,000 residents, according to Cauley.

The town’s fire department witnessed a similar increase in service calls.

In 2012, the Castle Rock Fire Department reported 3,945 calls and, just over decade later, received 6,340 calls in 2023.

“As you look at our call volume, as you look at our population increase, and as you look at our staffing increases, and all those different things, we have not been able to keep up as well,” Castle Rock Fire Chief Norris Croom III said.

The fire chief said the sales tax will help add more firefighters, paramedics and EMT’s.

Castle Rock Town Manager David Corliss insisted the current sales tax growth isn’t sufficient enough to meet growing needs for police and fire staffing in the coming years.

The money would allow the town to hire all 40 first responders immediately in 2025, according to Corliss.

“As the community grows, we are going to need additional protection,” he said.

Castle Rock Councilmember Laura Cavey mentioned the supposed increase in presence of Venezuelan gangs around Aurora and Denver.

“I am scared that is going to bleed over into Douglas County, and ultimately Castle Rock,” Cavey said.

“I certainly hope this community sees the value and they vote yes,” the councilmember added.

Castle Rock’s sales tax increase proposal also supports two other goals:

• Put more ambulances into service in Castle Rock, as the town currently averages 18 minutes a day when there is no local ambulance available.
• Help staff a new fire station planned to open in Cobblestone Ranch/Terrain in 2026.

Castle Rock, split by Interstate 25, also serves as a thoroughfare for travelers between Colorado Springs and Denver. The majority of shoppers in Castle Rock come from out of town, city officials said in its proposal, “meaning the majority of the town’s sales tax revenue is not paid by Castle Rock residents.”

When surveyed in April/May, 57% of Castle Rock residents said they would support such a sales tax increase.

A divided Denver City Council on Monday approved a similar measure, asking Denver voters in November to hike the city’s sales tax by 0.5 points to generate $100 million — which Mayor Mike Johnston wants to spend on “affordable” housing.

If approved by voters, Denver’s sales tax would be 9.31%, and if another sales tax measure to fund Denver Health — the city’s hospital system — also sails through, the sales tax would increase by another 0.34 points.

A sales tax of 9.65% would be the highest in the metro area, rivaling only Colorado’s mountain and resort towns.

During Friday’s meeting, several Castle Rock residents all spoke in support of the tax increase for first responders.

“We have here one of the most efficient fire and police departments that you wouldn’t probably find in many places,” Richard Morton, chair member of the Castle Rock Public Safety Committee, said. “I think you can argue whether you want a tax increase, but if you want to continue to have a great town that needs a police and fire department, we need to approve this proposal.”

One resident, named Clark, said: “I want a world-class fire and police department, and if that only takes out $2 of my grocery bill a month, I will pay for a world class fire and police department.”