Increased demand for services and rising costs have left the County with very few options.
Here’s a look at Larimer’s projected revenue and costs for 2026-2031, assuming residents prefer we maintain services levels to meet resident demand. As you can see, we face a choice and a challenge especially if we face a significant natural disaster.
As you can see, projected expenses outpace revenue:
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Rising costs for basic equipment continues to increase. For example, fleet equipment including police cars and maintenance trucks increased an average of 36% from five years ago. Your local County government has had to absorb over $20 million in rising costs, cut another $4 million from the 2026 budget, and has looked at every alternative.
Residents deserve, expect and demand projects to preserve clean drinking water, healthy soils, and natural forest lands - and those are estimated to cost at least $35 million. You have the ability to let us know if you believe it’s worth making those investments in our future or not.
Our reserve fund of $23.3 million would be completely depleted by a single large natural disaster, or a series of smaller ones such as we have recently experienced in cases such as the Cameron Peak fire season that cost the County $19 million or the 2013 Flood which cost the County over $115 million. The County keeps a fund for emergencies, and given the recent decision by the Federal Government to deny tens of millions in relief funding for natural disasters in Colorado, our situation has become even more tenuous. What would you recommend?
Here is a snapshot of the revenue sources for Larimer County for 2026. We are at a crossroads given the revenue limits and demand for services. For more detailed information please visit the County’s budget website and let us know how you would prioritize revenues and expenditures by sharing Your Input and by using our Budget Tool.
Here’s a look at Larimer County’s planned expenditures for 2026. As you can see, public safety occupies the greatest spending priority this year. A $71 million increase in public safety and criminal justice since 2017 is significant (72%), and when combined with so many other cost and demand increases, we truly have come to a crossroads.
Just like our residents, Larimer County is experiencing shocking price increases in addition to new state mandates and rising demand. From body worn cameras for public safety personnel to liability insurance to the jail’s medical contract. Costs are outpacing revenues, and costs continue to rise.
Here are a few examples, totaling more than $27.7 million, of the different types of cost increases the County has absorbed to maintain a strong quality of life for our residents.
