Larimer County Services 2025 Community Survey

Magellan Strategies is pleased to present the topline results of an online survey of 971 residents of Larimer County, Colorado. The interviews were conducted from December 9th – December 19th, 2025.

Larimer County residents expressed moderate familiarity with and strong approval of county services heading into the survey. Sixty percent of respondents reported being very or somewhat familiar with the public services, projects, and programs provided by the county, and 65% approved of the job the county was doing to provide essential services — with only 16% disapproving. Sixty-two percent believed the county had the financial resources to provide an acceptable level of services, while 23% did not. Views on fiscal stewardship were more cautiously positive, with 52% agreeing that the county was fiscally responsible and spent taxpayer money wisely, 29% disagreeing, and 19% offering no opinion.

When asked in their own words to identify the top issues the county should be addressing, residents most frequently raised housing affordability and the cost of living, expressing concern that working families, seniors, and single parents may not be able to afford to remain in Larimer County. Homelessness and the need for mental health services and addiction treatment were also among the most common responses, alongside road conditions and infrastructure deficiencies. Concerns about tax burdens and government spending, particularly around property taxes and perceived mismanagement, rounded out the top themes, as did worries about rapid growth and development outpacing infrastructure and threatening open space and natural areas.

When asked to select from a structured list of priorities, creating affordable rental and homeownership opportunities ranked first at 41%, followed by managing street and road improvements and maintenance at 29%, and providing human services such as childcare, medical assistance, and senior and child protection services at 26%. Reducing crime and improving public safety was selected by 21% of respondents, while improving forest and watershed health and natural disaster mitigation and alleviating traffic congestion were each chosen by 18%.

The survey then presented voters with a list of county services and tested support for a 0.15% sales tax increase — 15 cents per $100 spent — to address an estimated $17 million annual budget gap that was part of a projected $85 million shortfall over five years. Responding to wildfires, floods, and other natural disasters received the highest support at 80%, followed closely by essential services for veterans, seniors, at-risk adults, children, and families at 76%. Improving forest and watershed health and snow removal each received 75% support, while road improvements and public safety services each received 69% support. Affordable housing programs received 65% support, and emergency radio systems and cybersecurity for county information systems each received support in the low 60s. Support dropped notably for alternative sentencing programs at 59%, elections administration at 55%, and community events at The Ranch such as 4-H and the County Fair at 53%. CSU Extension Programs received 43% support, and improvements to the county justice center including courts and jail received the lowest support at 39%.

When voters were asked whether a 1.9-mill property tax increase — estimated at $66 annually for a home valued at $557,000 — would be more or less appealing than a sales tax increase to fill the same budget gap, results were closely divided. Forty-six percent said the property tax option would make them more likely to support the measure, while 37% said it would make them less likely to support it, and 17% said it would make no difference.

Voters were also presented with contextual information about the causes of the county’s budget gap and asked whether that information made them more or less likely to support a future tax increase. Learning that the shortfall was driven primarily by federal legislation increasing the cost of eligibility determinations for programs like SNAP and Medicaid, state unfunded mandates, and state-mandated revenue caps moved 55% of voters toward greater support for a tax increase, while 35% were less likely to support one. Information about potential reductions in federal funding for services supporting children, families, and older adults moved 59% of voters toward support. News that the State of Colorado was already cutting funding for child care assistance, child protection, and programs for aging adults moved 60% toward support — the highest persuasion score among the contextual messages tested.

The survey also measured concern about the impact of federal executive orders on county programs. Residents expressed the highest levels of concern about potential cuts to FEMA emergency preparedness and recovery funding, with 78% reporting concern. Cuts to Medicaid and the Health First Colorado program generated 77% concern, followed by reductions to victim-of-crime support programs at 74%, SNAP food benefits at 73%, and federal homelessness funding through the Continuum of Care program at 67%. Workforce improvement grants drew 62% concern, and Conservation Corps funding drew 58% concern.

Open-ended responses about the county’s budget gap reflected a community with genuinely divided views on taxation. The most prevalent theme was strong opposition to any tax increase, with many residents citing property taxes that had already increased significantly and a general sense that government needed to live within existing means. A second prominent theme called for audits, efficiency reforms, and accountability before any new revenue was sought. A smaller but consistent counter-theme advocated for progressive taxation targeting higher-income households and corporations rather than broad-based increases. Despite the widespread fiscal frustration, many residents also expressed a desire to protect core services such as food assistance, Medicaid, housing, and mental health support, with some indicating they would accept a modest or temporary tax increase to preserve services for the most vulnerable.