“Arapahoe County is incredibly diverse—not just in our people, but in our geography,” says Commissioner Leslie Summey. “We’re home to highly educated professionals, hardworking families, and deeply engaged community members. That diversity is our strength, and it shapes how we plan for the future.” HOUSING AND SERVICES FOR EVERYONE In preparation for continued growth,Arapahoe County has made housing a main priority.“We’re committed to ensuring that everyone—from those seeking affordable housing to those with greater means— can find a place to call home in Arapahoe County,” Summey explains. “We’re proactively planning for growth, and that means being intentional about zoning, density, and access to transit.” Infill is one solution, and Arapahoe has worked on its zoning to allow development of new units on existing lots. “I was at a meeting where they were talking about areas where we could have a denser population and greater housing,” Summey expands. “In my district, for example, we’re exploring opportunities in the Four Square Mile area to support higher-density housing,” she adds. “We’re also aligning new development with transit access, thanks to recent legislation that encourages building near bus and rail lines.” With one of the lowest property tax mill levies in the state, only 12 percent of collected revenues are retained for county services and infrastructure, while the majority is distributed to schools, municipalities, and services like fire and water. “We’re proud that voters supported our ballot measure to keep more of our property tax dollars here at home,” Summey says. “That funding goes directly into the services our residents rely on— roads, public safety, housing, and more.” A HUB FOR INDUSTRY AND INNOVATION Arapahoe County is home to a wide array of industries, from aerospace and aviation to health care, advanced manufacturing, and technology. “We have extra incentives for those industries that would want to be here,” explains Summey.“We’re the third largest county in the state and we really do want to 27 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 10 ARAPAHOE COUNTY, CO
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