Twenty years ago, Garfield County voters helped shape and strengthen the local library system. This November, voters will once again have the opportunity to support Garfield County Public Library District’s (GCPLD) next chapter as voters consider a ballot measure to extend an existing one-mill levy property tax rate.
“The original 20-year mill that is sunsetting was used to build or remodel six library buildings, and parallels the end of the mortgage obligation in 2027,” GCPLD Executive Director Abraham Korah said. “The catalyst for asking voters to consider an extension of the mill is to ensure the library district can continue to maintain buildings and resources into the future with defined funding.”
GCPLD receives funds from one quarter of Garfield County’s one-cent sales tax. It is also funded by a 2.5-mill property tax split into two voter-approved mill levies. One mill of that property tax, which voters approved in 2006 alongside the establishment of GCPLD, is set to expire in 2027.
Unanimously supported by all GCPLD trustees, the proposed measure will not increase taxes. Garfield County residents will continue to pay roughly $38 per year based on the median assessed value — not market value — of a home in Garfield County. With approval, GCPLD will not have a lapse in funding and continue collecting revenue in 2028.
“Where else can you get that much value for that little money?” New Castle resident Carole O’Brien said.
A community activist, O’Brien formed the Committee to Maintain Our Garfield County Libraries. Registered with the Colorado Secretary of State, the committee educates and informs the public about the mill levy extension. Alongside her team, O’Brien shares how communal fiscal support has expanded GCPLD’s robust services.
“The [library’s] programs are so varied and the outreach to so many different people in the community,” O’Brien said. “We have programs in Spanish, for older folks like myself, children and teens, meetings and study rooms … We have become a vital hub for the community.”
Extending the mill levy will provide the necessary funds to keep the libraries safe, clean and accessible, purchase books, technology and materials, expand programming, and recruit and retain qualified staff. GCPLD can also continue to partner with existing nonprofits dealing with social support like food insecurity and domestic violence. If the measure fails, GCPLD faces a possible $1 million loss per year.
“We are known across the state as being an outstanding library district,” O’Brien said. “We owe that to the people to continue the positive impact that we’ve had to the people in this county.”
The measure also includes a no sunset provision, which will safeguard GCPLD’s ability to maintain an adequate reserve to offset emergencies and unpredictable fluctuations in other income sources. Former GCPLD Executive Director Jamie LaRue noted the volatility of some GCPLD revenue considering roughly 50% comes from the oil and gas sector.
“Two years ago we were flush, but you can’t plow that into operations because you don’t know if that will be there next year,” LaRue said. “What that means is the library identifies oil and gas windfalls, sets the money into capital funds and doesn’t go into operations because we know there can be big crashes.”
LaRue added that in 2026, GCPLD lost over $800,000 of revenue because of the drop in oil and gas.
“The main thing is that financial planning means looking ahead,” said LaRue, who is also a member of O’Brien’s committee. “You don’t just lurch from crisis to crisis. The library has managed its funds intelligently and does not need to apologize for saving for the future.”
Korah noted that GCPLD is a tax payer funded entity and that all funds, including mill levy funds, are audited annually and made publicly available in the board packets, which are reviewed monthly.
“Transparency and fiduciary responsibility are foundational to the district’s operations and ensure legal compliance,” Korah said.
Keeping funds local, the mill levy will go where it matters most: the community.
“It’s the community’s money and they have entrusted it to the library district to use in the best interest of the community,” O’Brien said.
Building the future
Currently, GCPLD is undergoing an extensive three phase plan to continue renovating and maintaining the six libraries. Phase one is centered on New Castle and Parachute; phase two is currently underway for Rifle and Silt; and phase three will include a Carbondale and Glenwood Springs refresher next year.
In New Castle, innovative study pods and workrooms were added to support remote workers while staff space received a generous refresher ultimately increasing morale.
“There has been a lot of thankfulness that we updated the building,” GCPLD Facilities Manager Jon Medrano said. “We added features so that the community can engage better.”
Silt Branch Manager Brenda Ramirez noted the importance of expanding the space to better accommodate vulnerable populations. Following a conversation with an AARP (formerly American Association of Retired Persons) representative, Ramirez said seniors are in need of more connections. Taking this into consideration, the Silt remodel will have designated areas for people to enjoy time together. The refresher will also include study rooms for teenagers and adults and an updated children’s section.
“We’re changing with the times,” Ramirez said. “I think the libraries are doing a really great job with creating space for conversation and building the community.”
And the public happens to agree.
According to a GCPLD 2026 Ballot Measure Survey conducted by Magellan Strategies, GCPLD received an overall 80% approval rating from the public. Resources were well used with over 500,000 digital and print books checked out, over 17,000 study and meeting rooms booked and over 45,000 patrons attending library programs. Notably, GCPLD saw over 440,000 visits annually across the six branches.
“No matter what, one thing that won’t change is our heart to serve our patrons,” Medrano said. “That’s our goal as a library, day in and day out.”
Colorado’s election is Nov. 3. Visit gcpld.org/ballot-measure to learn more about the mill levy and survey insight.