By the end of this month, nominations for special district elections in Colorado will close. This democratic process is the closest level of government citizens can affect, and decisions made by special district boards directly affect residents every day. In short, you can shape your community and your community needs you. This includes metropolitan districts, a key tool in developing housing for our communities. In fact, you may live in a metro district — with more than 2,200 active metro districts statewide, millions of individuals are current, future, or past residents of a metro district — and you should consider running yourself.

In 2023, 87% of all new homes sold along the Front Range were located within a metro district. Additionally, 90% of Colorado’s master-planned communities are within a metro district. And for good reason. Colorado has experienced high demand for housing statewide because Colorado is an amazing place to live. Metro districts are a cost-efficient way to build housing developments by providing the necessary infrastructure like streets to service the neighborhood, and also include many amenities residents enjoy.

From the beginning of a development, metro districts are an important way to more affordably finance the public infrastructure required to build a desirable community. They, then, frequently go on to maintain and operate that public infrastructure as residents pay their property taxes, as well as pay back the debt incurred for building the development. The individuals serving on these boards of directors play an important part in providing oversight for responsibly managing these districts.

As homes sell, and buyers move into their homes, metro district boards of directors are occupied by people like you and your neighbors. These seats are ideally elected in special district elections like we’ll have on May 6. Despite the importance of ensuring metro districts are properly managed and run for continuity of critical services and community amenities, many seats simply go unfilled because of a lack of candidates.

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Though strides to ensure metro districts operate transparently and with accountability to taxpayers have been made, transparency is not enough. Engagement from citizens is critical. More candidates running for these boards of directors means more representation, and a board that reflects the makeup of the community. Through the work of the legislature in 2021, new reforms are in place to ensure taxpayers can more easily access information about how their communities are managed and money is spent.

That’s a good thing: metro districts provide immense value to the communities they serve. They are responsible for funding and maintaining infrastructure local municipalities may not have the resources to support. Through their ability to issue bonds and levy taxes, metro districts play a key role in community development and sustainability. However, their effectiveness depends on engaged and responsible leadership. That’s why it’s critical community members take an active role in these elections, ensuring these districts continue to be led by individuals who prioritize responsible governance, fiscal accountability and the well-being of residents.

If you are passionate about your community and want to make a tangible difference, consider running for your special district board. The opportunity to shape the future of your community is too important to leave to chance. By stepping up, you can help build an accountable, transparent and representative local government. But time is running out — candidates must submit their nomination forms by the end of February.

Take this chance to be a voice for your community. Engage in the democratic process, encourage your neighbors to get involved, and make sure these critical governing bodies truly represent the people they serve. Learn more at: DLG.Colorado.gov/special-district-elections.

Kristi Pollard is executive director of the Metro District Education Coalition.