The Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD) was first approved by the Colorado legislature and signed by Governor Romer in 1987. It has been a highly successful dedicated tax fund for cultural facilities and programs throughout the seven-county Denver metro area and it has become a national model.
The SCFD one-tenth of one cent tax was proposed in the 1980’s to replace part of lost appropriations from the City and County of Denver and the Colorado State Legislature to benefit the city’s four main cultural facilities: the Denver Art Museum, Denver Museum of Nature and Science, Denver Botanic Gardens and Denver Zoo.
As the legislature was approached to create a taxing district, it was clear that voters already have many demands on their discretionary dollars from government – such as police protection, parks, roads, social services, etc. A tax for culture was a new concept and needed to be modest. Its administration should have limited bureaucracy and strict financial accountability.
When first established, the SCFD administrative support was limited to 0.75 percent of the total budget, or about $100,000 annually. Avoiding cultural bureaucracy ensured annual funding goes to organizations that provide cultural benefit to the public. When created in the 1980’s, a major controversy erupted in Washington, D.C. over arts funding. The SCFD was designed to avoid such disruption to its cultural organizations. Today, culture is again politically controversial.
The grants from the SCFD promote the self-sufficiency of organizations but not dependence on tax dollars. Also, larger organizations are required to have audited financial statements while smaller organizations provide financial reports reviewed by the SCFD to ensure accountability of funds.
As the SCFD approaches a 2028 renewal election, it needs to ensure the founding principles of frugality and accountability are being followed.
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