About
Overview
The primary purpose of the Buffalo Ridge Metropolitan District (the "District") is to finance and construct public improvements and to dedicate, when appropriate, such public improvements to the City of Commerce City, the South Adams County Water and Sanitation District, or to such other entity as appropriate for the use and benefit of the District taxpayers. The District’s original Service Plan was approved by the City Council of the City of Commerce City on August 19, 1996 by Resolution No. 96-23. The organization of the District was approved by the eligible electors at the election held on November 5, 1996 and the District was organized by Order of the District Court in and for Adams County on November 19, 1996. The First Amendment to the Service Plan was approved by the City Council on June 3, 2002 by Resolution No. 2002-24 and the Second Amendment was approved on July 19, 2004 by Resolution No. 2004-25.
What is a Metropolitan District?
A metropolitan district is a quasi-municipal corporation and political subdivision established under the Special District Act (Title 32, Article 1, Colorado Revised Statutes). These local governments are formed to finance, construct, and sometimes operate public infrastructure and provide services that counties and municipalities may be unable to provide due to fiscal constraints, such as those imposed by the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights (TABOR). Once formed, metropolitan districts must adhere to their governing documents and various laws that govern their operations. These documents and laws address the district’s taxing authority, ability to impose and collect fees and other charges, describe infrastructure and services to be provided by the district, and contain requirements for transparency and accountability.
Special districts possess taxing authority and can issue tax-exempt bonds to finance infrastructure projects. Property owners within the district are subject to property taxes (mills) levied by the district to repay these bonds. This structure localizes the cost of public improvements to the specific development, rather than distributing expenses across the entire county or municipality. As local governments, metropolitan districts can borrow money at lower interest rates, allowing them to finance public infrastructure more efficiently and affordably to the benefit of future district residents.
Metropolitan districts are formed by submitting a detailed service plan to the city council, town board of trustees, or county commissioners for review and approval following publicly noticed and conducted hearings. These local authorities have oversight and control over limits on taxation, fees, and services. Organizing elections are also conducted.
Metropolitan districts are operated by an elected Board of Directors. Director elections are held in May of every odd year. Initially, developer representatives may sit on the Board of Directors because the district is formed before there are any homes or homeowners. Over time, residents who are eligible electors can run for board seats, allowing residents to participate in governance of their community.
For additional information about metropolitan districts please visit Metro District Education Coalition.
What is a Metropolitan District?
A metropolitan district is a quasi-municipal corporation and political subdivision established under the Special District Act (Title 32, Article 1, Colorado Revised Statutes). These local governments are formed to finance, construct, and sometimes operate public infrastructure and provide services that counties and municipalities may be unable to provide due to fiscal constraints, such as those imposed by the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights (TABOR). Once formed, metropolitan districts must adhere to their governing documents and various laws that govern their operations. These documents and laws address the district’s taxing authority, ability to impose and collect fees and other charges, describe infrastructure and services to be provided by the district, and contain requirements for transparency and accountability.
Special districts possess taxing authority and can issue tax-exempt bonds to finance infrastructure projects. Property owners within the district are subject to property taxes (mills) levied by the district to repay these bonds. This structure localizes the cost of public improvements to the specific development, rather than distributing expenses across the entire county or municipality. As local governments, metropolitan districts can borrow money at lower interest rates, allowing them to finance public infrastructure more efficiently and affordably to the benefit of future district residents.
Metropolitan districts are formed by submitting a detailed service plan to the city council, town board of trustees, or county commissioners for review and approval following publicly noticed and conducted hearings. These local authorities have oversight and control over limits on taxation, fees, and services. Organizing elections are also conducted.
Metropolitan districts are operated by an elected Board of Directors. Director elections are held in May of every odd year. Initially, developer representatives may sit on the Board of Directors because the district is formed before there are any homes or homeowners. Over time, residents who are eligible electors can run for board seats, allowing residents to participate in governance of their community.
For additional information about metropolitan districts please visit Metro District Education Coalition.
Overlapping Entities
Contact Us
The following systems are in place for contacting someone associated with the District.
During regular business hours (Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., except for holidays or during closures) and outside of regular business hours or when District personnel are otherwise unavailable or unreachable, please call 303-779-5710.
This process is in place for matters of an emergent nature, which is defined as matters that are urgent and require prompt attention which cannot wait until regular business hours due to the potential to affect the health, safety, and welfare of the residents and property owners in the District or the integrity of the public improvements owned, operated, and/or maintained by the District. Matters of an emergent nature do NOT include emergencies, which should be directed to the appropriate emergency personnel by contacting 9-1-1, or matters which can wait until regular business hours, which should be addressed via any of the methods available on the "Contact Us" page.
All contact methods available on the "Contact Us" page".