2023 Colorado Revised Statutes › Title 32 - SPECIAL DISTRICTS (§§ 32-1-101 — 32-22-117) › SPECIAL STATUTORY DISTRICTS (§§ 32-8-101 — 32-22-117) › Article 13 - SCIENTIFIC AND CULTURAL FACILITIES DISTRICT (§§ 32-13-101 — 32-13-114) › Section 32-13-107 - [Effective 7/1/2025] Sales or use tax imposed - collection - administration of tax - use - definitions

(1)
(a)
Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b) of this subsection (1), upon the approval of the registered electors pursuant to the provisions of section
32-13-105
, the board has the power to levy such uniform sales and use taxes throughout the district created in section
32-13-104
upon every transaction or other incident with respect to which a sales and use tax is levied by the state, pursuant to the provisions of article
26
of title
39
, C.R.S.; except that beginning July 1, 2016, such sales and use tax shall not be levied or collected on the sale or use of aviation fuel.
(b)
(I)
Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the authority of the district to levy and collect the sales and use taxes approved by the registered electors pursuant to the provisions of section
32-13-105
shall expire July 1, 1996, unless the district is authorized to continue to levy and collect the sales and use taxes by the registered electors pursuant to the provisions of said section.
(II)
Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the authority of the district to continue to levy and collect the sales and use taxes approved by the registered electors pursuant to the provisions of section
32-13-105
shall expire on the date specified in the question submitted to the registered electors unless the district is subsequently authorized to continue to levy and collect the sales and use taxes by the registered electors pursuant to the provisions of said section.
(2)
The collection, administration, and enforcement of said sales and use tax shall be performed by the executive director of the department of revenue pursuant to part 2 of article 2 of title 29. The district shall pay the net incremental cost incurred by the department of revenue in the administration and collection of such sales and use taxes; except that in no event shall the district pay in any given fiscal year commencing on or after July 1, 1994, more than an amount equal to the amount paid by the district in the 1993-94 fiscal year, as adjusted in accordance with changes in the consumer price index for the Denver-Boulder consolidated metropolitan statistical area. The department may make expenditures for such costs subject to annual appropriation by the general assembly.
(3)
The proceeds of such sales and use tax collections shall be used by the board to assist scientific and cultural facilities within the district. The board may deduct from the proceeds of the sales and use tax collections amounts necessary to cover the costs incurred by the district for the administration of such proceeds; except that the amount deducted for such purpose shall not exceed one and fifty one-hundredths percent of the sales and use tax revenues annually collected up to and including thirty-eight million dollars and one and fifty one-hundredths percent of the sales and use tax revenues annually collected in excess of thirty-eight million dollars. The board may also deduct from the proceeds of the sales and use tax collections an amount necessary to pay the district's actual or anticipated reasonable costs related to a coordinated election. After making the deductions allowed in this subsection (3), the board shall distribute the remaining proceeds from the sales and use tax collections to scientific and cultural facilities as follows:
(a)
Upon voter approval of the levy and collection of the sales and use tax specified in section
32-13-105 (5)(a)(I) or (10)(a)(I)
, as applicable, the sales and use tax revenues levied and collected by the district shall be distributed annually by the board as follows:
(I)
Except as otherwise provided in subparagraph (II) of this paragraph (a), ninety-five percent of said sales and use tax revenues shall be distributed for annual operating expenses as follows:
(A)
Twenty-four and fifty one-hundredths percent shall be distributed to the Denver museum of nature and science;
(B)
Twenty and thirty-three one-hundredths percent shall be distributed to the Denver art museum;
(C)
Twenty-four and twenty-four one-hundredths percent shall be distributed to the Denver zoological gardens;
(D)
Thirteen and twenty-five one-hundredths percent shall be distributed to the Denver botanical gardens;
(E)
Seventeen and sixty-eight one-hundredths percent shall be distributed to the Denver center for the performing arts;
(II)
After the first five years said sales and use tax is levied and collected, up to five percent of said sales and use tax revenues specified in subparagraph (I) of this paragraph (a) may be distributed by the board to the Denver museum of nature and science, the Denver art museum, the Denver zoological gardens, the Denver botanical gardens, and the Denver center for the performing arts pursuant to a formula adopted by the board. Such formula shall be binding on the board and may only be modified every five years thereafter.
(III)
Up to five percent of said sales and use tax revenues may be distributed by the board to the Denver museum of nature and science, the Denver art museum, the Denver zoological gardens, the Denver botanical gardens, and the Denver center for the performing arts in such amounts as the board may determine appropriate based upon one or more of the following factors: Regional impact, accessibility, quality, need, enhanced or innovative programs, and collaboration with the Denver museum of nature and science, the Denver art museum, the Denver zoological gardens, the Denver botanical gardens, or the Denver center for the performing arts or with scientific and cultural facilities that qualify to receive moneys pursuant to subparagraph (I) of paragraph (b) or subparagraph (I) of paragraph (c) of this subsection (3).
(IV)
(Deleted by amendment, L. 94, p. 481, § 2, effective January 1, 1996.)
(V)
Any moneys not distributed pursuant to the provisions of subparagraph (III) of this paragraph (a) shall be distributed at the same time and in the same manner as other moneys are annually distributed pursuant to the provisions of subparagraph (I) of this paragraph (a).
(b)
Upon voter approval of the levy and collection of the sales and use tax specified in section
32-13-105 (5)(a)(II) or (10)(a)(II)
, as applicable, the sales and use tax revenues levied and collected by the district shall be distributed annually by the board for annual operating expenses as follows:
(I)
Ninety-five percent of said sales and use tax revenues shall be distributed to scientific and cultural facilities within the district that are not receiving moneys pursuant to paragraph (a) of this subsection (3) and that meet the following criteria:
(A)
Any such facility shall be a nonprofit organization that has a determination letter in effect from the internal revenue service confirming that the organization meets the requirements of section 501 (c)(3) of the federal "Internal Revenue Code of 1986", as amended, with the primary purpose of enlightening and entertaining the public through the production, presentation, exhibition, advancement, or preservation of visual arts, performing arts, cultural history, natural history, or natural sciences including earth, life, or physical sciences, as such terms are defined by the board, or shall be an agency of local government that has such primary purpose.
(B)
Any such facility shall have its principal office within the district, shall conduct the majority of its activities within the state of Colorado, and shall principally benefit the residents of the district. In addition, any such facility shall demonstrate its regional service and impact according to criteria established by the board.
(C)
For any facility that applies to receive district moneys prior to July 1, 2006, such facility shall have had an annual operating income of more than seven hundred thousand dollars for the previous year as adjusted for the annual change in the consumer price index as specified in this subsection (3)(b)(I)(C). For any facility that applies to receive district moneys on or after July 1, 2006, such facility shall have had an annual operating income of more than one million two hundred fifty thousand dollars for the previous year as adjusted for the annual change in the consumer price index as specified in this subsection (3)(b)(I)(C); except that any facility that qualified to receive a distribution pursuant to this subsection (3)(b) on or before June 30, 2006, shall be subject to the one million two hundred fifty thousand dollar threshold as adjusted for the annual change in the consumer price index as specified in this subsection (3)(b)(I)(C), as of July 1, 2009. For distributions made pursuant to this subsection (3)(b) in 1996 and in each year thereafter, the board shall annually adjust the amount specified in this subsection (3)(b)(I)(C), as applicable, in accordance with the annual percentage change in the consumer price index for the previous year for the Denver-Boulder-Greeley consolidated metropolitan statistical area for all urban consumers and all goods, as published by the United States department of labor, bureau of labor statistics. For distributions made pursuant to this subsection (3)(b) in 2017 and in each year thereafter, the board shall annually adjust the amount specified in this subsection (3)(b)(I)(C), as applicable, for the percentage change between the average Denver-Aurora-Lakewood consumer price index, or its applicable predecessor or successor index, for the calendar year three years prior to the year of distribution and the average Denver-Aurora-Lakewood consumer price index, or its applicable predecessor or successor index, for the calendar year two years prior to the year of distribution.
(D)
Beginning January 1, 2017, a facility must have been in existence, operating, and providing service to the public for at least seven years as a nonprofit institutional organization under section 501 (c)(3) of the federal "Internal Revenue Code of 1986", as amended, prior to applying for eligibility to receive district moneys for the first time. For purposes of this sub-subparagraph (D), "operating" means engaged in some form of activity with the primary purpose of enlightening and entertaining the public through the production, presentation, exhibition, advancement, or preservation of visual arts, performing arts, cultural history, natural history, or natural sciences including earth, life, or physical sciences, as such terms are defined by the board.
(E)
Notwithstanding the provisions of this subparagraph (I), for multiple facilities that were created by a local government and that have the same taxpayer identification number or federal employee identification number, no more than two facilities per taxpayer identification number or federal employee identification number are eligible to receive a distribution of revenues pursuant to this paragraph (b) in any fiscal year.
(II)
(A)
Distribution of moneys pursuant to subparagraph (I) of this paragraph (b) shall be based upon a formula to be applied annually that gives a specific weight to the annual operating income of such facilities, the annual paid attendance at such facilities, and the annual documented free attendance at such facilities. The board shall determine the weight to be given to each factor, and such determination shall be binding on the board. The board may modify the weight to be given to each factor not more than once every two years.
(B)
(Deleted by amendment, L. 2016.)
(III)
Up to five percent of said sales and use tax revenues may be distributed by the board to the scientific and cultural facilities that qualify to receive moneys pursuant to the provisions of subparagraph (I) of this paragraph (b) in such amounts as the board determines appropriate based upon one or more of the following factors: Regional impact, accessibility, quality, need, enhanced or innovative programs, and collaboration with the Denver museum of nature and science, the Denver art museum, the Denver zoological gardens, the Denver botanical gardens, or the Denver center for the performing arts or with scientific and cultural facilities that qualify to receive moneys pursuant to subparagraph (I) of this paragraph (b) or subparagraph (I) of paragraph (c) of this subsection (3).
(IV)
(Deleted by amendment, L. 94, p. 481, § 2, effective January 1, 1996.)
(V)
Any moneys not distributed pursuant to the provisions of subparagraph (III) of this paragraph (b) shall be placed by the board in an interest-bearing account with a federally insured bank or savings and loan association located in the state of Colorado. Such moneys shall remain in such account until the board, in its discretion, determines to distribute such moneys at the same time and in the same manner as other moneys are annually distributed pursuant to the provisions of subparagraph (III) of this paragraph (b).
(b.5)
(I)
Prior to July 1, 2006, notwithstanding any other provision, a scientific and cultural facility that qualifies to receive moneys pursuant to the provisions of subparagraph (I) of paragraph (b) of this subsection (3) shall not receive in any given year more than thirty-three percent of the total amount of sales and use tax revenues distributed pursuant to paragraph (b) of this subsection (3) in such year. If the amount of moneys received by any scientific and cultural facility in any given year exceeds the allowable amount, the scientific and cultural facility shall refund to the district the amount of moneys in excess of the allowable amount.
(II)
On and after July 1, 2006, notwithstanding any other provision, a scientific and cultural facility that qualifies to receive moneys pursuant to the provisions of subparagraph (I) of paragraph (b) of this subsection (3) for the first time prior to July 1, 2006, shall not receive in any given year more than twenty-five percent of the total amount of sales and use tax revenues distributed pursuant to paragraph (b) of this subsection (3) in such year. If the amount of moneys received by any scientific and cultural facility in any given year exceeds the allowable amount, the scientific and cultural facility shall refund to the district the amount of moneys in excess of the allowable amount.
(III)
On and after July 1, 2006, notwithstanding any other provision, a scientific and cultural facility that qualifies to receive moneys pursuant to the provisions of subparagraph (I) of paragraph (b) of this subsection (3) for the first time on or after July 1, 2006, shall not receive more than fifteen percent of the total amount of sales and use tax revenues distributed pursuant to paragraph (b) of this subsection (3) in the first year of distribution, twenty percent of such total amount in the second year of distribution, and twenty-five percent of such total amount in the third and any subsequent year of distribution. If the amount of moneys received by any scientific and cultural facility in any given year exceeds the allowable amount, the scientific and cultural facility shall refund to the district the amount of moneys in excess of the allowable amount.
(c)
Upon voter approval of the levy and collection of the sales and use tax specified in section
32-13-105 (5)(a)(III) or (10)(a)(III)
, as applicable, the sales and use tax revenues levied and collected by the district shall be distributed annually by the board for annual operating expenses as follows:
(I)
Ninety-five percent of said sales and use tax revenues collected in each county comprising the district shall be distributed by the board to scientific and cultural facilities within such county pursuant to the provisions of the plan submitted by each county cultural council as specified in subparagraph (II) of this paragraph (c). Said moneys shall be distributed to scientific and cultural facilities within the district which are not receiving moneys pursuant to paragraph (a) or (b) of this subsection (3) and which meet the following criteria:
(A)
Any such facility shall be a nonprofit organization that has a determination letter in effect from the internal revenue service confirming that the organization meets the requirements of section 501 (c)(3) of the federal "Internal Revenue Code of 1986", as amended, with the primary purpose of enlightening and entertaining the public through the production, presentation, exhibition, advancement, or preservation of visual arts, performing arts, cultural history, natural history, or natural sciences including earth, life, or physical sciences, as such terms are defined by the board, or shall be an agency of local government that has such primary purpose.
(B)
Any such facility shall have its principal office within the district, shall conduct the majority of its activities within the state of Colorado, and shall principally benefit the residents of the district.
(C)
Beginning January 1, 2017, a facility must have been in existence, operating, and providing service to the public for at least five years as a nonprofit institutional organization under section 501 (c)(3) of the federal "Internal Revenue Code of 1986", as amended, prior to applying for eligibility to receive district moneys for the first time. For purposes of this sub-subparagraph (C), "operating" means engaged in some form of activity with the primary purpose of enlightening and entertaining the public through the production, presentation, exhibition, advancement, or preservation of visual arts, performing arts, cultural history, natural history, or natural sciences including earth, life, or physical sciences, as such terms are defined by the board.
(D)
Notwithstanding the provisions of this subparagraph (I), for multiple facilities that were created by a local government and that have the same taxpayer identification number or federal employee identification number, no more than two facilities per taxpayer identification number or federal employee identification number are eligible to receive a distribution of revenues pursuant to this paragraph (c) in any fiscal year.
(II)
The county cultural council of each county comprising the district shall submit to the board an annual plan specifying the distribution of such revenues as provided for in subparagraph (I) of this paragraph (c) to scientific and cultural facilities in such county that meet the criteria set forth in subparagraph (I) of this paragraph (c). In creating such plan, a county cultural council may take into account an organization's financial and organizational capacity to expend tax dollars to serve the public and achieve the mission of the organization, and may give priority to scientific and cultural facilities within such county that qualify to receive moneys pursuant to the provisions of subparagraph (I) of paragraph (b) of this subsection (3). Such plans submitted by such county cultural councils to the board shall be binding upon the board.
(III)
Up to five percent of said sales and use tax revenues collected in each county comprising the district may be distributed by the board to the scientific and cultural facilities that qualify to receive moneys pursuant to subparagraph (I) of this paragraph (c) as the board may determine appropriate based upon one or more of the following factors: Accessibility, quality, need, enhanced or innovative programs, financial and organizational capacity to expend tax dollars to serve the public and achieve the mission of the organization, and collaboration with the Denver museum of nature and science, the Denver art museum, the Denver zoological gardens, the Denver botanical gardens, or the Denver center for the performing arts or with scientific and cultural facilities that qualify to receive moneys pursuant to subparagraph (I) of paragraph (b) of this subsection (3) or subparagraph (I) of this paragraph (c). Any distribution made pursuant to this subparagraph (III) shall be based upon the provisions of the plan submitted by each county cultural council as required by subparagraph (II) of this paragraph (c).
(IV)
(Deleted by amendment, L. 94, p. 481, § 2, effective January 1, 1996.)
(V)
Any moneys not distributed pursuant to the provisions of subparagraph (III) of this paragraph (c) shall be placed by the board in an interest-bearing account with a federally insured bank or savings and loan association located in the state of Colorado. Such moneys shall remain in such account until the board, in its discretion, determines to distribute such moneys at the same time and in the same manner as other moneys are annually distributed pursuant to the provisions of subparagraph (III) of this paragraph (c).
(d)
No scientific and cultural facility which receives moneys pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (c) of this subsection (3) shall use or expend such moneys for the acquisition, physical preservation, or restoration of any historic building, structure, or site.
(4)
Upon any extension of the sales and use taxes levied and collected by the district in accordance with section
32-13-105
, the amount of sales and use tax proceeds expended and distributed by the district in any given year shall not exceed the amount specified in the ballot question for the current fiscal year and shall not exceed the amount specified in the ballot question as adjusted for inflation plus annual local growth for each fiscal year after the current fiscal year. For purposes of this subsection (4), "inflation" has the meaning set forth in section 20 of article X of the state constitution and in section
24-77-102 (8)
, C.R.S., and "local growth" has the meaning set forth in section 20 of said article X. Whenever the amount of sales and use tax proceeds collected in any fiscal year pursuant to this article exceeds the permissible amount to be expended and distributed, the provisions of section 20 of said article X governing tax refunds shall apply.
(5)
Pursuant to section
1-7-116
, C.R.S., and any agreement enacted pursuant thereto, the district shall pay a county or a city and county for its share of the expenses associated with a coordinated election; except that the amount the district is required to pay for any coordinated election shall be limited to and not exceed the district's reasonable costs related to a coordinated election.
Amended by 2024 Ch. 144,§ 27, eff. 7/1/2025, app. to any taxable event occurring on or after 7/1/2025.
Amended by 2018 Ch. 274, § 68, eff. 5/29/2018.
Amended by 2016 Ch. 135, § 5, eff. 4/29/2016, 1/1/2017, 1/1/2018 and 7/1/2018.
Amended by 2013 Ch. 337, § 3, eff. 1/1/2014.
L. 87: Entire article added, p. 1257, § 1, effective July 1. L. 94: (2) amended, p. 319, § 5, effective March 29; (1), (2), IP(3), IP(3)(a), IP(3)(a)(I), (3)(a)(II), (3)(a)(III), IP(3)(a)(IV), IP(3)(b), IP(3)(b)(I), (3)(b)(II)(B), (3)(b)(III), IP(3)(b)(IV), IP(3)(c), IP(3)(c)(I), (3)(c)(III), and IP(3)(c)(IV) amended and (4) added, p. 472, § 3, effective March 31; (3)(d) added, p. 484, § 3, effective March 31; (3)(a)(III) to (3)(a)(V), (3)(b)(I)(C), (3)(b)(I)(D), (3)(b)(III) to (3)(b)(V), (3)(c)(III) to (3)(c)(V) amended and (3)(b.5) added, p. 481, § 2, effective 1/1/1996. L. 99: (1)(a) amended, p. 982, § 6, effective May 28; (1)(a) amended, p. 1357, § 7, effective 1/1/2000. L. 2004: (1)(a) amended, p. 1041, § 8, effective July 1; (3)(a), IP(3)(b), (3)(b)(I), (3)(b)(III), (3)(b.5), IP(3)(c), IP(3)(c)(I), (3)(c)(I)(A), and (3)(c)(III) amended and (3)(c)(I)(C) added, p. 291, § 8, effective 7/1/2006. L. 2005: (3)(a)(I)(A), (3)(a)(II), (3)(a)(III), (3)(b)(III)(A), and (3)(c)(III) amended, p. 779, § 67, effective June 1. L. 2006: IP(3) amended and (5) added, p. 1780, § 3, effective June 6. L. 2009: IP(1)(a) amended, (HB 09 -1342), ch. 354, p. 1849, § 8, effective July 1. L. 2013: (1)(a) amended, (HB 13-1272), ch. 337, p. 1965, § 3, effective 1/1/2014. L. 2016: (1)(a), IP(3), IP(3)(a), IP(3)(b), IP(3)(c), IP(3)(c)(I), (3)(c)(II), and (3)(c)(III) amended, (SB 16-016), ch. 135, p. 395, § 5, effective April 29; (3)(b)(I), (3)(c)(I)(A), and (3)(c)(I)(C) amended and (3)(c)(I)(D) added, (SB 16-016), ch. 135, p. 395, § 5, effective 1/1/2017; (3)(b)(II) amended, (SB 16-016), ch. 135, p. 395, § 5, effective 1/1/2018; (3)(a)(I) amended, (SB 16-016), ch. 135, p. 395, § 5, effective 7/1/2018. L. 2018: (3)(b)(I)(C) amended, (HB 18-1375), ch. 274, p. 1716, § 68, effective May 29.
(1) Amendments to subsection (2) by House Bill 94-1222 and House Bill 94-1024 were harmonized. Amendments to subsections (3)(a)(III), (3)(b)(III), and (3)(c)(III) and (3)(c)(IV) by House Bill 94-1222 and House Bill 94-1223 were harmonized.
(2) Amendments to subsection (1)(a) by House Bill 99-1015 and House Bill 99-1271 were harmonized.
2024 Ch. 144, was passed without a safety clause. See Colo. Const. art. V, § 1(3).
This section is set out more than once due to postponed, multiple, or conflicting amendments.
For the legislative declaration in the 2013 act amending subsection (1)(a), see section 1 of chapter 337, Session Laws of Colorado 2013.