Growing Commercial Business

Why Wellington Needs More Commercial Growth

 

Wellington depends on sales taxes and property taxes to run its government. But unlike most Colorado towns—where sales taxes bring in the majority of revenue—Wellington’s sales tax revenue is only slightly higher than property taxes.

The reason: We’ve had rapid residential growth but very little new commercial development to support our population.

What Commercial Businesses Bring

Local businesses:

• Provide the goods and services residents use every day

• Create jobs

• Generate sales tax and commercial property tax revenue

In today's environment in Wellington, and without enough commercial activity, more of the financial burden will and does fall on residents.

 

The Cost of Shopping Elsewhere

 

A 2018 market study showed Wellington residents spend over $114 million a year outside of town.
If we attract businesses residents already need, Wellington could gain up to $11 million a year in new sales tax revenue—plus commercial property taxes.

This funding could help improve roads, parks, public services, a future I-25 interchange, and even support a recreation center.

We Must Support Small Businesses Better

Local business owners say opening or expanding in Wellington is often slowed by unnecessary barriers and added costs.

We need to:

• Streamline our codes and processes

• Reduce delays and expenses

• Work closely with the Chamber and Main Streets

• Make Wellington a place where small businesses can thrive

How to make it happen!

 Become a Home Rule Community

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What Exactly Is Home Rule and Why Does It Matter?

 

Home Rule is a form of local self-governance that gives a community more authority over its own affairs. Instead of relying on state statutes for most decisions, a Home Rule municipality can adopt its own local “constitution,” called a Home Rule Charter, to address community needs more directly and efficiently.

Wellington is currently a statutory town, which means our powers and authority are defined entirely by state law (Title 31, Colorado Revised Statutes). Under Article 20 of the Colorado Constitution, Wellington has the option to become a Home Rule municipality by creating and adopting a Home Rule Charter.

A Home Rule Charter allows a community to design its own governmental structure, pass its own local laws, and manage zoning, public services, and finances with far greater flexibility.

Home Rule is the norm in Colorado: 108 municipalities have adopted it, and approximately 90% of Coloradans live in Home Rule jurisdictions.

 

Why Consider Home Rule for Wellington?

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More Local Control — Less State Interference

Home Rule lets Wellington call the shots on local issues. When something is defined as a “local matter,” our local laws can override state laws.
This means:

• We make decisions faster

• We choose how our tax dollars are used

• We shape our government and services to fit Wellington, not Denver

2. Stronger Economic Development

Home Rule gives Wellington better tools to grow our economy. With more flexibility, we can:

• Offer local tax incentives to attract businesses

• Use sales tax dollars to improve our roads, services, and infrastructure

• Create zoning rules that bring in the types of businesses we want

It’s a direct path to a stronger, more vibrant local economy.

3. Better Control of Our Tax Revenue

With Home Rule, Wellington can decide how to collect and enforce sales and **use taxes.
We can even “self-collect,” meaning we handle it ourselves instead of relying on the state. Benefits include:

• Keeping more tax revenue in Wellington

• Reducing money accidentally going to nearby towns

• Improving enforcement so the community gets its fair share

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**Use taxes are what developers pay on building materials for new homes.

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More information on Home Rule and other ways to generate revenue and economic growth such as DDAs, and URAs can be found under the RESOURCES tab on
this website.