Centennial Voters To Decide On Sales Tax Increase

The proposed ballot measure 2A seeks to raise the city sales tax rate from 2.5% to 3.5% this November.

Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in City Hall

Bold flat-color editorial illustration showing a stylized geometric road patch and traffic cone, representing city infrastructure funding policy. — Centennial residents will vote this November on ballot measure 2A, a proposal to increase the city sales tax to 3.5% for infrastructure improvements. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you support increasing local sales taxes to fund city infrastructure and road maintenance projects?

Centennial residents will vote this November 2026 on ballot measure 2A, which proposes increasing the city sales tax from 2.5% to 3.5%. The city has maintained its current rate since 2003.

Why it matters

Revenue from big-box stores in the area has flattened, leaving the city to address aging infrastructure before maintenance costs outpace funding by 2028. The measure aims to fund over $100 million in transportation projects to prevent deferred maintenance.

The measure seeks to raise the city sales tax from 2.5% to 3.5% to fund over $100 million in projects. If passed, the tax is expected to generate approximately $27 million in annual revenue.

The players

Centennial

Centennial is a Colorado city that is currently debt-free and has a transportation master plan containing over $100 million in projects.

The details

The funds generated by the potential tax hike are earmarked for critical infrastructure, including paving, bridge repairs, traffic signals, snow removal, and street sweeping. Centennial currently remains debt-free despite needing to manage its aging public works.

The city last adjusted its sales tax rate in 2003.
Ballot measure 2A was officially approved for the ballot in August 2026.
Voters will decide on the proposal in November 2026.
Transportation infrastructure costs are projected to outpace available funding by 2028.

Political Context

Opponents or skeptical residents may point to the fact that the city has remained debt-free under the current tax structure since 2003. Critics often argue that fiscal discipline should be prioritized over revenue increases, questioning whether the $100 million master plan needs full funding immediately.

If the measure passes, residents will see an increase of one percentage point on their city sales tax starting next year. This change will directly affect the total cost of taxable goods purchased within city limits to fund essential road and bridge maintenance.

The takeaway

Voters are being asked to determine how Centennial balances its status as a debt-free city against the rising costs of infrastructure upkeep. Implementation of the tax increase would be the first rate adjustment for the city in over two decades.