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Overview

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 Sterling Ranch Metropolitan District Nos. 1-3 (the “Districts”) provide the following improvements and services: central water system, wastewater, storm sewer, streets, traffic and safety signage, drainage, open space, park, and landscape maintenance. 

Pursuant to the District’s Service Plan, approved by the El Paso County Board of County Commissioners on June 24, 2010 (the “Service Plan”), the Districts are authorized to incur $115,000,000 of debt and impose a maximum debt mill levy of 50 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. 

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.”

Sterling Ranch MDs Service Plan Info

  • Services provided – installation/construction and financing of public infrastructure:
    • Water
    • Sanitation
    • Street Improvements
    • Drainage
    • Parks and Recreation
    • District 1 as the financing district, is expected to be responsible for managing the construction, acquisition, installation and operation of the Public Improvements.
  • Amount of Debt a district can incur
    • $115,000,000 combined maximum debt authorization shared by District Nos. 1, 2 and 3 under their consolidated service plan
  • Revenue to Repay Debt*
    • Ad valorem property taxes:
      • Residential: up to 50 mills for debt service, as may be adjusted for changes in the residential assessment rate.
      • Commercial: up to 35 mills for debt service as may be adjusted for changes in the commercial assessment rate.
    • Operational mill levy: up to 10 mills for both residential and commercial properties  as may be adjusted for changes in the assessment rate.
    • Development impact fees due at building permit/platting prior to the construction of a home:
      • Drainage: $1,200 per lot.
      • Landscaping/Park: $1,000 per lot.
      • Transportation: $2,800 per single-family lot and $1,500 per multifamily lot.
    • Developer funding agreements: Used to cover early-stage capital and operational shortfalls, with repayment from future revenues
    • Revenue obligations: Bonds payable from non-property tax revenues
  • Max mill levy to repay debt*
    • 50 mills for residentials.
    • 35 mills for commercials.
  • District Nos. 1 and 3 Overlapping Governmental Entities:
    • El Paso County (governing jurisdiction for the Districts)
    • Epc Road & Bridge (Unshared)         
    • Academy School District #20   
    • El Paso County School District #49         
    • Pikes Peak Library District
    • Black Forest Fire Protection District
    • El Paso County Conservation District                           
  • District No. 2 Overlapping Governmental Entities:
    • El Paso County
    • EPC Road & Bridge (Unshared)
    • Academy School District #20
    • El Paso County School District #49
    • Pike Peak Library District
    • Black Forest Fire Protection District
    • Falcon Fire Protection District
    • El Paso County Conservation District
    • El Paso County PID #2

For questions or concerns about the Districts during regular business hours, please contact: CliftonLarsonAllen LLP, 303-779-5710

The following process is in place for matters of an emergent nature, which is defined as urgent matters that require prompt attention and cannot wait until regular business hours due to the potential to affect the health, safety, and welfare of the residents and property owners in the District or the integrity of the public improvements owned, operated, or maintained by the District.  Matters of an emergent nature do NOT include emergencies, which should be directed to the appropriate emergency personnel by contacting 9-1-1, or matters which can wait until regular business hours, which should be addressed via the above contact information.

For questions or concerns involving an emergent matter about the Districts outside regular business hours or when district personnel are otherwise unavailable, please contact: CliftonLarsonAllen LLP, 303-779-5710