The month of February brings with it many familiar things: Groundhog Day, the Super Bowl, heart-shaped boxes of chocolate and, if you are a property owner, the arrival of your annual tax bill.

No one really looks forward to paying taxes, but when it comes to county government, the programs and services those tax dollars fund are, many times, lifesaving.

“When most of us open our tax bill, we look right at the bottom line – the big total,” said Weld County Commissioner Chair, Perry Buck. “A deeper dive into the bill, though, reveals that even though the tax notice comes from Weld County and the payment is made to Weld County, Weld County Government is just one of several taxing entities included in that bill.”

In fact, the consolidated billing handled by the Weld County Treasurer’s Office is an efficiency provided by county government.

“Imagine getting three, five, seven or more different tax bills all around this time?” Buck said. “Rather than inundating residents with multiple bills from multiple taxing entities, the county collects and distributes funds through the one bill.”

For most reading this, however, saying the consolidated tax bill is an efficiency that benefits residents is along the same lines as saying, “This too shall pass.” It may be true, but it doesn’t really make you feel any better in the moment.

But how about these two facts:

First, your tax bill contains a mill levy credit — money not being collected by county government but rather money that is staying in your bank account. For more than 20 years, the county has been able to provide tax relief to residents by not collecting the full amount it legally can by offering this credit. Staying true to the philosophy that Weld County Government only collects what it needs to maintain the level of service residents have come to expect, the county has not collected more than $1 billion from residents during that time period. There isn’t another county in the state that can say that.

Second, the amount of tax owed to Weld County Government is probably one of the lower amounts listed on your bill. A tax is a tax, sure, but some of the things your tax dollars go toward are actually things that help save lives.

Weld County property taxes fund vital services like emergency response, public infrastructure maintenance and improvements, public health services and more.

Take public health, for example. Whether you’re grabbing a coffee at a local café, dining at a restaurant or grabbing a quick snack at a convenience store, county-funded services are behind the scenes, ensuring that food is prepared safely through restaurant and food inspections.

Chris McDonald, Food Program Coordinator at the Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment, highlights the importance of these services.

“We work with restaurant operators to make sure they’re properly licensed and following food safety standards. Our team conducts regular inspections to ensure the safety of the food served to residents. It's something you don’t think about, but it’s always there, keeping everyone safe.”

Speaking of keeping everyone safe, when you dial 911, you’re not just reaching a call center — you’re connecting with a lifeline.

Tina Powell, Director of Public Safety Communications, explains, “911 is more than just a number — it’s a critical service that saves lives and protects property. It builds public trust and ensures that help is always just a call away.”

Last year, the Weld County Regional Communications Center handled over 128,000 calls, dispatching emergency responders to residents across the county. This level of service requires immense coordination, ensuring the right resources are dispatched quickly to where they’re needed most. This team manages 911 calls, non-emergency calls and dispatch services for 43 law, fire and emergency service agencies.

Were you here for the 2013 flood? If so, you benefited from the work the Weld County Office of Emergency Management does with communities — developing response plans and enhancing the county’s overall ability to face emergency situations when they arise.

If you rest better at night knowing that criminals are able to be taken off the street and placed into a secure facility, know that your property taxes fund that facility and the brave men and women who keep our communities safe. Your property tax dollars also support the team of prosecutors, legal secretaries and victim-witness personnel who work to get justice for those who have been harmed.

When you drive from town to town on a county road in the winter, a county snowplow driver has cleared the way for you. In 2024 alone, our snowplow crews cleared more than 71,000 lane miles of snow, slush and ice, ensuring that residents could continue their daily activities safely during the winter weather.

Curtis Hall, Director of Weld County Public Works, said, "We take pride in keeping roads clear and safe, no matter the weather."

The department’s work doesn’t stop there; it also maintains the county’s 2,800-mile road system year-round, ensuring safe, reliable transportation for commuters, farmers and residents alike among Weld County’s 32 municipalities.

In 1789, Benjamin Franklin wrote, “In this world, nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.”

We understand budgets are tight and property taxes aren’t a fun topic, but we hope we’ve been able to shed some light on where your county taxpayer dollars go, because behind each tax dollar is a service that is essential to community safety, public health and quality of life. It’s a reminder that the cost of taxes is more than just a bill — it’s an investment in the Weld County community.

At Employment Services of Weld County (ESWC), two siblings work together to help residents find and maintain employment. By collaborating with each other and the various resources within Weld County, this dedicated duo are changing the lives of individuals and addressing employment needs within the community.

In the next issue of County Roots, learn about the different programs at ESWC and the impact they can have on one individual and the community as a whole.