The Metropolitan Baseball Stadium District began issuing annual refunds after the ballpark was paid off earlier than expected. Overall, cities and counties received $11.25 million in 2001 and $1.6 million this year.
"We tried to refund as much as we possibly could," says district chairman Ray Baker. "We know their tax dollars are decreasing." For their part, the municipalities collected a 0.1 percent sales tax which paid for about 75 percent of the $215 million ballpark. The park opened as home to the Colorado Rockies in 1995. When the district was able to pay off the 20-year bonds 12 years ahead of schedule, officials began refunding excess sales taxes.
Cities have found many different purposes for the rebates. Last year, Boulder used its $645,000 to fund a new homeless shelter. This year, the city will put a $90,000 rebate in its general fund. That's also where Englewood officials are putting its money. The city received $700,000 last year and another $108,000 this time around.
The nearby city of Littleton received just $50,000 this year, but city manager Jim Woods is "sure that we will find a good use for the money." Last year, Littleton put the cash into an affordable housing program.
