Pitkin County commissioners approved a mill levy ballot question, which will appear on the November ballot, for the Healthy Community Fund.
The fund finances local public health and human services agencies, as well as area nonprofits. It is funded by a voter-approved property tax.
The tax is set to expire at the end of 2027, so the Board of County Commissioners approved a mill levy for the November ballot to keep the fund going.
Originally, the new mill levy was drafted to sunset in 30 years, but at a second reading last week, commissioners approved it for a 25-year term instead.
Commissioner Patti Clapper said she thinks a slightly shorter term will make voters more likely to approve the mill levy.
“It’s the perception of people,” she said. “Thirty versus 25; it’s only five years, but one starts with a two and not a three.”
Commissioner Greg Poschman also presented the mill levy proposal to the Rotary Club of Aspen recently, where he said some community members thought thirty years was too long.
“They said, ‘You may as well not sunset it at all if it’s too long. In our lifetimes it’s not gonna sunset, so what’s the difference?’” Poschman recalled.
Other county staff supported the amendment because they also think it will make voters more likely to approve it.
The number of nonprofit organizations receiving money from the fund has grown over time. In 2003, when the fund first began, nine organizations received funding, but in 2025, that number had jumped to 74.
In the next 25 years, Poschman said he wants the fund to focus on financing behavioral health and food security services, as he believes these are top issues for residents.
“My insecurities have changed, and the communities have as well,” he said. “The things you wake up at three in the morning worrying about.”
Ballot language must be certified by Sept. 5.
