Town of Erie 2025 Community Survey

Magellan Strategies is pleased to present the topline results of a survey of 3,854 residents in the Town of Erie, Colorado. The interviews were conducted from July 14th through August 1st , 2025.

Residents of the Town of Erie were asked about their familiarity with and opinions on local public services, priorities, and programs. A majority reported being at least somewhat familiar with what the town provided, and when asked about the direction of the community, more residents felt things were headed in the right direction than on the wrong track, though a substantial portion remained unsure. Those who felt positively pointed to smart growth, strong community character, parks and trails, and responsive leadership. Those who felt negatively cited uncontrolled development, traffic problems, distrust of leadership, and concerns about oil and gas activity near homes and schools.

When asked to identify the most pressing issues facing Erie, residents overwhelmingly pointed to traffic congestion and deteriorating road infrastructure as their top concern, with specific corridors like Arapahoe Road and Highway 7 repeatedly called out. Close behind was frustration with rapid growth and overdevelopment, with many feeling that housing expansion was outpacing the town’s ability to support it with adequate services and infrastructure. Water costs and availability, the need for more commercial development, and public safety rounded out the most commonly cited priorities.

On the topic of fiscal management, residents generally approved of the job the town was doing to provide services, and a slim majority believed the town had sufficient financial resources to maintain an acceptable level of services. However, opinions were more divided on whether the town was spending taxpayer money wisely, with a notable share disagreeing with that characterization.

Regarding the proposed expansion of the Erie Police Department, residents were presented with three financing options. A sales tax increase was the most preferred method, followed by a Certificate of Participation financing arrangement, with a property tax increase being the least favored option.

Housing generated significant discussion throughout the survey. Most residents disagreed that Erie needed more housing diversity, preferring the existing character of the community. When presented with a choice between increasing housing density to offset infrastructure costs versus maintaining lower-density housing even at the potential cost of higher individual taxes, residents narrowly preferred the lower-density approach. Support for the town’s Affordable Housing Program was modest, and residents who supported funding it preferred federal and state grants over local tax increases or general fund spending.

Traffic and road safety concerns were widespread, with a majority reporting that congestion had meaningfully delayed their daily travel. Road safety was seen as having declined in recent years for drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, and e-bike riders alike. Residents called for better enforcement of speed limits, improved pedestrian and bike infrastructure, and redesign of dangerous intersections.

When it came to parks, recreation, and sustainability, neighborhood parks were the most valued community amenity, while more expensive proposals like a water park or performing arts center received cooler responses. On sustainability, residents expressed support for expanded rebate programs and the recycling center, with slightly more than half supporting a modest dedicated tax increase for sustainability efforts, though opposition was significant.