About Foothills

Yes. Anyone can participate in any activity, regardless of residency status. FHPRD is a public agency and there are no membership fees. However, because about 30% of FHPRD’s revenues come from property taxes, district residents receive a discount on most fees and activities. There are annual, seasonal or multi-visit pass options – another way for frequent users to make facility usage more affordable.

Foothills Park & Recreation District strives toward providing inclusive programs to all community members. People of all abilities are invited to consider registering for any recreational program Foothills has to offer provided they meet the minimum eligibility requirements.

Accommodation Request: To request an accommodation please allow 10 business days prior to the start of the class/activity. Please contact the Programmer/Supervisor of the selected activity. Our Accessibility webpage addresses equal opportunity, diversity and ADA compliance.

FHPRD is a separate agency with its own taxing authority. The inclusion process requires a majority vote of an area wishing to include into FHPRD. If that area is already part of another special district that is providing park and recreation services, it would require an exclusion process from that district.

No.  In 2017, approximately 75% of Foothills’ operational revenue comes from non-property tax sources such as User Fees, Admission Fees, Rentals, Conservation Trust Funds (Lottery) and Specific Ownership Tax (a portion of license plates).  This means approximately 25% of operational revenue comes from property taxes.  Foothills District resident’s property taxes primarily support a portion of park operations and our outdoor pools while other District facilities including the recreation centers, ice arena and golf courses generate a net revenue to help offset costs elsewhere in the District.

Parks and their amenities cost money to maintain and many do not generate much revenue. Some park amenities are several decades old and are in need of renovation and replacement.

We receive several questions regarding who and where we receive funding. Below, we’ve address some of the most common questions.

• JEFFERSON COUNTY, CITY OF LITTLETON or CITY OF LAKEWOOD?
  No.  We are not a branch of any of these or any other entity.  We are a separate entity with our own taxing authority.  All tax revenue and other funds we collect go to serve your parks and recreation needs.

• SALES TAXES?
  No.  The only taxes we collect are property taxes from residential and commercial properties (makes up about 25% of our revenues) and a small portion of ownership taxes from Jefferson County license plate purchases/renewals.

• COLORADO LOTTERY FUNDS?
  Yes, but the amount is only about $460,000 per year which is less than 2% of the District’s overall budget. Half of the proceeds from Colorado Lottery are distributed to organizations state-wide. The type of entity (county vs. city vs. special district, etc.) determines how much funding is received.  Because we are a Special District, we receive less funding than most.

• GREAT OUTDOORS COLORADO (GOCO)?
  From time to time, we receive grant funding from GOCO, however it is a grant process that 1.) requires matching dollars; 2.) is a highly competitive process that is not guaranteed; and 3.) their focus is typically on larger, special projects distributed throughout the state. This is not an annual assured funding course for the District. GOCO invests a portion of Colorado Lottery proceeds to help preserve and enhance the state’s parks, trails, wildlife, rivers and open spaces. Their independent board awards competitive grants to local governments and land trusts.

• MARIJUANA SALES?
  No, those taxes go toward schools and local sales tax.  As stated above, we do not receive any local sales tax.

• GAMING TAXES (CASINOS)?
  No, those taxes go toward financial aid and classroom instruction at Colorado community, junior, and district colleges, impacts of gaming payments to Gilpin and Teller Counties and impacts of gaming payments to the towns of Central City, Black Hawk and Cripple Creek.

• MY TAXES?
  Yes, property taxes on a home’s market value.  Most residents of the District are paying 7.191 mills. If the election is successful, the mill levy will increase by 2.75 mills. However, the general obligation bond debt from 2000 (which is 2.001 mills) is scheduled to retire in 2020.

• NON-PROPERTY TAX REVENUES: USER FEES, ADMISSIONS, RENTALS?
  Yes, they make up approximately 75% of the District’s revenues.  To offset our budget and be more efficient, we have instituted changes that have led to an increase of 32.57% from 2007 – 2016 in admission fees. An average of 3.62% per year equaling an additional $2,776,536 annually.

No, because of the Taxpayer Bill of Rights, more commonly known as TABOR, Foothills can NEVER raise the mill levy rate without an election which must go to the voters of the District to decide.

No.  The only taxes collected by FHPRD are property taxes from residential and commercial properties (makes up about 25% of our revenues) and a small portion of ownership taxes from Jefferson County license plate purchases/renewals.

Mill Levy dollars fund operations for things like maintenance, supplies, capital repairs, equipment, etc.

Bonds are used to fund major capital projects like renovating existing buildings/parks, new buildings, etc.