Pueblo City Council Approved Zoo Sales Tax Ballot Measure

Voters will decide this November whether to implement a retail sales tax to support the city zoo.

Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Wildlife

Screen-print poster illustration showing a stylized metal entrance gate to a zoo, set against a warm, community-themed park landscape. — Pueblo residents will vote in November 2026 on a new retail sales tax initiative to provide financial support for the city's 90-year-old zoo. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Would you support a local sales tax increase to fund improvements for your city zoo?

Pueblo City Council members unanimously approved a ballot initiative that asks residents to support the 90-year-old zoo through a new sales tax. If passed in the November 2026 general election, the measure would provide funding to address operational deficits.

Why it matters

The proposed tax initiative was drafted to resolve ongoing financial pressures at the zoo, which has faced significant funding cuts and rising operational expenses. Supporters hope the ballot measure will stabilize the facility for the next five years.

The proposed 0.167% retail sales tax is designed to sunset after five years of collection. The initiative reached the ballot after organizers secured the required number of citizen signatures.

The players

Pueblo City Council

The legislative body of Pueblo, Colorado, responsible for local governance and authorizing ballot initiatives.

The details

The measure, labeled 2B, seeks to provide dedicated financial support to the facility after years of rising costs. Volunteers successfully led the effort to place the tax on the ballot, and the funds would be directed to the zoo starting in 2027 if approved by voters.

Sept. 30, 2026: Trivia night fundraiser hosted at Reservoir Brewing.
Early October 2026: Mail-in ballots are distributed to Pueblo voters.
Oct. 8, 2026: Ballot drop party held at Walter's Brewing.
November 2026: General election vote on measure 2B.
2027: Proposed start date for the sales tax.

Culture Shift

The push for Measure 2B reflects a growing trend of communities turning to localized retail sales taxes to fund public amenities. This strategy marks a departure from reliance on general fund allocations as cities face increased budgetary constraints.

If the initiative passes, residents will pay a 0.167% retail sales tax on purchases to sustain the zoo. This change would take effect in 2027 and remain in place for five years.

The takeaway

Supporters are currently hosting community fundraisers, including a trivia night, to raise awareness ahead of the election. Residents should review their mail-in ballots carefully when they arrive in early October to understand how this measure affects their local tax obligations.