Metro Districts 101
With the surge of new development in Northern Colorado, you might come across the term "metro district" more frequently. These districts are an aspect of most new construction homes in our area. It's important to be aware of them, especially if you plan to move in the future.
So, WHAT exactly is a Metro District? It's a special taxing district that provides at least two types of services to residents within its boundaries. Homeowners within the district finance these services through property taxes.
WHERE can you find these metro districts? Well, most of the new developments across Northern Colorado have them, including areas north of Centerra on both the east and west sides of i25, new construction in Timnath, Severance, Windsor, Greeley, Johnstown, and beyond. Many new developments in Berthoud and Wellington are also part of metro districts.
Now, let's talk about HOW metro districts function. These quasi-governmental entities are responsible for developing and possibly maintaining improvements that are not already provided in the area. The idea is to alleviate the burden on municipalities by sharing responsibility for public improvements. The developers agree to provide specific services within the district's boundaries.
WHO finances these and WHO governs them? The funding for services comes from the homeowners within the district through property taxes based on a mill levy. Each metro district has its own board of directors to oversee its operations.
As a homeowner, what should I know? Here are few quick tidbits:
Not all metro districts are the same. The services provided can vary depending on the neighborhood.
Different parts of a subdivision might belong to separate metro districts, leading to differences in services and taxation.
While all metro districts are funded through homeowners' property taxes via a mill levy, some may have additional fees or assessments each year (similar to how HOAs collect dues).