Sustainable Solution

Get insight into our thinking.

A silver SUV driving on an empty highway towards snow-capped mountains under a partly cloudy blue sky.

Centennial needs a sustainable, long-term solution for its Street Fund.

For example, if the City were to consider a 1% sales tax increase, from 2.5% to 3.5%, that would generate approximately $23 million annually — enough to fund the City's most critical infrastructure needs.

  • Icon of six blue cars arranged in two rows with a vertical arrow between them.

    It avoids a property tax increase and spreads the cost among residents, visitors, and commuters who use Centennial's roads every day.

  • Blue police badge icon with a star in the center.

    It protects the General Fund — preserving funding for neighborhood services, traffic enforcement, and other services residents count on.

  • Blue bar chart with five bars of varying heights and an arrow pointing right at the end of the horizontal axis.

    At 3.5%, Centennial’s sales tax rate would be lower than the Front Range average 3.63%, without taxing essential goods like groceries or utilities.

  • Open book with a quill pen resting on its pages, icon in blue outline style.

    Centennial has increased its sales tax rate only one time in its 25-year history.

No decisions have been made. Your input matters.

  • City Council has not made any decisions about how best to address the City’s budget challenges for ongoing infrastructure maintenance and improvements and large-scale capital investments.
  • This spring and summer, the City is talking with residents and gathering community input to better understand priorities and concerns.
  • City Council will review feedback and determine next steps in August.
  • Please visit YourCityBudget.co to learn more and provide input. Your voice will help shape what comes next.
Workers in safety vests paving a street with asphalt using heavy machinery on a sunny day.

Quick Poll

Based on what you know right now, which would you prefer?

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Frequently Asked Questions

Would groceries or utilities be taxed?
No. Essential goods like groceries and utilities would not be taxed under the option being discussed.

How does Centennial's sales tax compare to nearby cities?
Centennial has one of the lowest sales tax rates on the Front Range. At a hypothetical 3.5%, the rate would still be below the Front Range average of 3.63%.

When was the last time Centennial increased its sales tax rate?
Centennial has not increased its sales tax rate since 2003.