SCFD’s 30-Year Anniversary

One of America’s most extraordinary cultural funding organizations, the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD), is celebrating its 30-year history in an event on November 28 at the McNichols Civic Center. As part of the celebration, Rocky Mountain PBS has created a program highlighting the founding of the SCFD.

Governor Roy Romer signed the legislation creating the District on July 1, 1987, with supporters gathered around his desk. In November 1988, 75 percent of Denver metro voters in six counties authorized the collection of the sales tax, producing about $14 million for distribution to regional cultural organizations starting in 1989. Today, more than $60 million will be distributed.

Picture from RMPBS

Ciruli Associates was the primary consultant for the creation of the SCFD. It managed the initial campaign in 1988 and the subsequent renewals in 1994, 2004 and 2016.

Thanks to RMPBS, the SCFD and the Citizens for Arts to Zoo (CATZ) (a civic organization that supports the SCFD) for their support of the 30-year celebration. Ciruli Associates provided the historical material for the RMPBS program.