Regional Cooperation

We are in stormy times. But the Denver region’s arts, culture and science scene is one of the few topics that elevates our thinking and provides joy and entertainment.

Denver’s unique method of funding culture through the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD) also brings the seven-county region together. The SCFD cultural initiative began in 1988 and has been repeatedly approved by voters, most recently in 2016 by 63%, winning the region’s seven counties.

In periodic polls, the voters’ regional support for “cooperating on providing funding for the arts, zoos and museums” has been tested. Most voters (84%) said “yes” to cooperation in 2025 and 89 percent in 2013. Another question repeated from a 2013 survey asked the voters across the seven counties if regional taxpayers should help pay for the Denver Zoo and Museum of Nature and Science or only Denver taxpayers. In the latest poll, three quarters (77%) said the region should help pay, even greater than the 73% in 2013.

Question: Please tell me which of the following comes closer to what you think even if neither one matches your view exactly.

• The Denver Zoo and Museum of Nature and Science serve the entire region and regional taxpayers should help pay for them, or
• The Denver Zoo and Museum of Nature and Science are located in Denver, and if they need tax dollars, only Denver taxpayers should pay for them.

Question: For each of the following statements please indicate if you agree or disagree.

• It is important for the metro region to cooperate on providing funding for the arts, zoos and museums.

RELATED:
Guidelines for SCFD Public Support and Sustainability Sept 18, 2025
The SCFD and Regionalism July 16, 2025