Metropolitan districts are local governments that finance public improvements and provide services to promote the health, safety, prosperity, security, and general welfare of the inhabitants of the districts and the people of the state of Colorado. Metropolitan districts fill the gaps that may exist in services that other local governments will not provide, and the services residents may desire. The Gunnison Rising Metropolitan District Nos. 1-7 (the “Districts”) provide the following improvements and services: streets, parks and recreation, water, storm sewer, transportation, mosquito control, safety, security.
Pursuant to the Districts’ Service Plan, approved by City of Gunnison on March 30, 2016, as amended by the First Amendment to the Service Plan, approved on June 8, 2021, (collectively, the “Service Plan”), the Districts are authorized to issue debt not to exceed $245,000,000 and impose a maximum debt mill levy of 35 mills subject to adjustment, as defined in the Service Plan, for repayment of such debt. The Service Plan authorizes the repayment of debt from the following sources: ad valorem taxes, specific ownership taxes, fees, and all other legally available revenues as permitted by law.
The Boards of Directors (the “Boards”) govern the Districts. Board members are elected for four-year terms. During election years, the Districts must provide the Call for Nominations to the electors of the Districts noting the Board seats up for election. If an owner or resident would like to run for a Board seat up for election, he or she must submit a self-nomination form to the Designated Election Official by the applicable deadline as provided in the Call for Nominations. When a vacancy occurs on the Boards between elections, an owner or resident may contact the Districts and request to submit a letter of interest to be appointed to Boards. When an individual is appointed to the Boards, the term for that appointment runs to the next regular election.
To qualify as a director of a district, a person must be an “eligible elector” which is defined as a registered voter of Colorado and either: (1) a resident of the District, or (2) the owner (or the spouse or civil union partner of the owner) of taxable real or personal property located within the District. A person who is under contract to purchase taxable property and is obligated to pay taxes prior to closing is also considered an “owner.”
The Districts file their annual report for the prior year with the City of Gunnison.
The following governmental entities overlap the Districts’ boundaries:
For questions or concerns about the District[s] during regular business hours, please contact: WBA, PC at (303) 858-1800