Vote Yes for Safe Schools
A locally controlled mill levy override for Mesa County Valley School District 51, funding safer schools, career-ready graduates, and competitive pay that keeps great teachers in Mesa County.
Paid for by Citizens For D51 · Registered Agent: Andrea Haitz
Three purposes. Written into the measure itself.
This measure doesn't fund a wish list: the ballot language as adopted by the D51 Board of Education names exactly where every dollar can go.
School Safety & Security
Funds security officers and safety support across D51 campuses, districtwide.
CTE & STEM Workforce Readiness
Expands Career & Technical Education and STEM programming that connects students directly to Mesa County jobs.
Teacher & Staff Pay
Moves teacher and staff pay and benefits toward the market average of peer school districts.
By the numbers
The mill levy override is capped at 7.850 mills in its first year, adjusts for inflation afterward, and scales with home value. Here's what it means for a typical Mesa County household.
| Home Value | Est. Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| $200,000 | ~$9 |
| $400,000 | $18.09 |
| $600,000 | ~$27 |
| $1,000,000 | ~$45 |
$400,000 figure is the district's official estimate. Other values are proportional estimates based on public statements by D51 leadership and may shift slightly with final assessment rates.
- 1
Capped in year one, not a blank check. The mill levy starts at 7.850 mills, the maximum allowed in the first year.
- 2
Adjusts with inflation, not politics. After the first year, the levy is adjustable annually using the Denver–Boulder Consumer Price Index, not a discretionary vote.
- 3
Senior & veteran relief exists. Qualifying seniors, veterans, and surviving military spouses may already receive a property tax exemption that offsets part of this cost.
- 4
Collection begins in 2027. Up to $23.2M is authorized in 2026, with the first dollars collected the following year.
An independent financial audit, published on the District's website, every single year the levy is in effect.
No sunset clause. A stronger safeguard instead.
Unlike a bond, a mill levy override doesn't come with a built-in payoff date. So rather than a sunset clause, the ballot language voters will actually see requires something more durable: a mandatory, independent financial audit conducted every year and published publicly on the District's website for as long as the levy is collected. Every dollar, every year, out in the open, for the life of the measure, not just the first few years.
Mesa County is behind. This measure helps catch up.
Colorado ranks 44th in the nation for per-pupil K-12 funding.
D51 ranks 171st out of 178 Colorado school districts in per-pupil funding, near the very bottom of the state.
The last time D51 asked Mesa County voters for a property tax increase for operations was 2017.
This one is won at the door, on the phone, and by neighbors
Local measures pass because enough people give a few hours. Tell us how you would like to help and a campaign volunteer coordinator will follow up with times, training, and materials.
Ways to help
- Door knockingWalk a friendly neighborhood with a partner and a short script.
- Phone callsCall likely Yes voters from home, on your own schedule.
- FundraisingHelp reach the donors who fund mail, digital, and yard signs.
- Host an eventOpen your home or business for a coffee or meet-and-greet. Reach out at citizensford51@gmail.com.
Not sure yet? Sign up anyway and pick the option that sounds closest, there is no minimum commitment.
Volunteer sign-up
Takes about a minute. Name, email, phone, and how you would like to help.
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Chip in: every gift moves this campaign forward
Citizens For D51 is a registered Colorado issue committee. Contributions fund mail, digital outreach, and community events between now and November 3.
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Prefer a check? Make it out and send it to:
Grand Junction, CO 81506
Make your Yes count
Colorado's 2026 coordinated election is Tuesday, November 3. Mesa County votes by mail.
Check your registration
Confirm you're registered and your mailing address is current with Mesa County.
Watch your mailbox
Ballots are mailed by the Mesa County Clerk & Recorder ahead of November 3. Track yours with BallotTrax.
Vote Yes for Safe Schools, return it early
Mail it back or use a 24-hour drop box, the earlier, the better.
Mesa County Elections Office: official ballot & drop box info →