Proposed 0.6% Sales Tax Increase Faces November Vote
Greeley business owners should prepare for potential tax shifts as campaign funding for the measure reaches $68,573.
Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in Philanthropy
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Proponents of Greeley ballot measure 2F have raised $68,573 to support a proposed 0.6% sales tax increase. The measure seeks to generate $20 million for the Catalyst project and Downtown Civic Campus, which currently carry $147 million in total city debt.
Why it matters
The outcome of measure 2F will dictate future tax burdens for local businesses and the scale of city infrastructure investment. Supporters argue the tax is necessary to manage existing project debt without depleting general city funds.
Empower Greeley has collected 40 donations totaling $68,573, which is more than 24 times the $2,857 raised by the two committees opposing the 0.6% sales tax increase. The committee has already deployed $54,687 of these funds toward digital advertising and promotional materials.
The players
Empower Greeley
A political committee advocating for the passage of local ballot measure 2F and the associated sales tax increase.
Sky Meltzer
A campaign donor who contributed $10,000 to the Empower Greeley effort.
Gary Kerr
A campaign donor who contributed $2,000 to the Empower Greeley effort.
The details
The campaign for measure 2F is using its fundraising advantage to dominate the digital landscape through aggressive ad spending. Proponents claim the $20 million in tax-funded capital is critical for avoiding debt depletion, as the city currently manages $147 million in project-related liabilities. The fundraising pool reflects a regional donor base, with only six of the 40 individual contributions originating from Greeley residents.
Timeline
October 19, 2026: Data cutoff date for opposition committee fundraising totals.
November 3, 2026: Deadline for voters to submit ballots.
Market Landscape
This ballot measure follows a February 2026 attempt by opponents to freeze the Catalyst project, marking the latest escalation in the project's funding dispute. It sits within a larger trend of municipal entities leveraging sales tax hikes to manage mounting debt service on large-scale civic developments.
Operators in Greeley should prepare for the potential 0.6% sales tax increase and evaluate how it will affect their pricing strategies and consumer demand. Monitor the November 3 election results closely to determine if the city moves forward with the planned debt repayment and development projects.
The takeaway
The heavy spending by Empower Greeley highlights the scale of interest in city infrastructure financing, signaling that significant development projects remain a high-stakes area for local commerce. Operators should track the election outcome as a primary indicator for future city-wide tax and development policy.
What happens next
Voters must submit their ballots for measure 2F by the November 3, 2026 deadline.
Further reading
For broader context on local civic funding efforts, visit the Philanthropy section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Greeley Tribune.
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