Beginning Aug. 10, parent/teacher organizations will be exempt from collecting the Arapahoe County Open Space Sales and Use Tax on certain sales. The change is a result of the General Assembly’s recent adoption of a bill which deleted the requirement that new sales and use tax exemptions must receive voter approval.

In 2008, the Colorado General Assembly amended the Colorado Revised Statutes to create a new sales and use tax exemption for certain sales by an association or organization of parents and teachers of school students. However the Department of Revenue, the entity responsible for collecting the tax, advised that state statute required that the exemption must also receive voter approval in order to be effective, since the original sales and use tax proposal was approved by the voters. With the recent 2011 bill approved, the exemption goes into effect Aug. 10.

In November 2003, Arapahoe County voters approved a countywide quarter-cent sales and use tax dedicated to preserve open space, enhance parks, build trail connections and protect heritage areas in Arapahoe County. This tax is equal to 25 cents on every $100 purchase. Tax collection began Jan. 1, 2004 and is set to expire in Dec. 2013 unless citizens vote “yes” to continue the program on a future ballot question toward reauthorization. Fifty percent of the annual tax revenue is returned to incorporated cities and towns to enhance local parks, trails, recreation and open space.

“With the help of our cities, towns and special districts we are protecting our most treasured resources and connecting a network of trails for our residents to enjoy today and forever,” said Arapahoe County Commissioner Rod Bockenfeld, who serves as Board Chair.

To learn more about Arapahoe County Open Spaces, visit www.co.arapahoe.co.us and download the 2011 Community Guide 150 Ways to Enjoy Open Spaces and/or sign up to receive the Arapahoe County Open Spaces e-newsletter.