A famous Wyoming bumper sticker reads: “Lord, Please Give Me One More Boom — This Time I Promise Not To P*ss It Away.”
Boom and bust defines the West. Some of us get caught on the wrong side of each end of the cycle. The smarter ones learn from it. They hedge their bets. They invest their money in things they can sustain.
I’ve been a library administrator for almost 45 years. This is the first time I’ve worked in a district that got 50% or more of its revenue from the natural gas sector. It makes you cautious. It encourages you to save. In 2026, library revenues fell by over $830,000, all due to a decrease in natural gas valuation.
In 2006, Garfield County voters approved a 1.0 mill levy for libraries. Its purpose was to build or renovate branches in each of the county’s six municipalities. The money also provided some operational support.
That’s why we have six beautiful libraries, one in every town in the county. We keep them up, too.
In 2027, those bonds (basically mortgages for public buildings) will be paid off. The mill levy sunsets. With it goes a loss of $1,000,000 a year we rely on to help maintain our collections, support our helpful staff and keep our buildings clean, well-maintained and open.
Before letting it go, the library hired Magellan Strategies to survey Garfield County voters. We asked about several things: How often did people actually use the library? How did they rank various services? Would they support a continuance of the modest mill levy? What did they approve or disapprove of?
To take the last first, we have an approval rating of 80%. Our disapproval rating was just 6%. Given some of the wilder claims I’ve heard at public meetings, that was reassuring.
Two thirds of voters indicated support for a potential mill levy extension to continue funding library operations and facilities — without increasing the current tax rate.
The survey also showed high self-reported usage of core library services, with approximately 60% of voters using the library at least once a month. Survey respondents described the library as a “welcoming, safe and inclusive” space that goes “beyond books,” with technology access, digital resources and programs for adults and children.
The Garfield County Libraries are a cornerstone of our community. These survey results demonstrate the deep trust and appreciation Garfield County residents have for their libraries.
There were many outpourings of praise and gratitude for the staff at all of our branches. One message came through loud and clear: Our citizens greatly value our existing services. They want them and the money to pay for them to continue.
So the GCPLD Board of Trustees is considering placing a 1.00 mill levy extension on the November 2026 ballot. The measure would not increase the current tax rate, but simply extend the 2006 voter-approved mill levy.
What would it be used for? In brief, our libraries would continue: maintaining safe, clean and accessible facilities; recruiting and retaining qualified staff; providing books, technology and material; partnering with local organizations addressing food insecurity, mental health and domestic violence; supporting ongoing programs and services.
All funds from the potential measure would remain under local control, audited annually and dedicated exclusively to GCPLD operations. Homeowners would continue paying about $38 per year (based on the median assessed value of a home).
I’ve participated in several studies over the years that calculate the return on investment for library funding. On average, for every dollar patrons put in they get between $5 to $8 back. If you use the library for an online subscription to the Wall Street Journal or tap into various streaming services you can save thousands of dollars per year.
But what we heard from our respondents was something more. For the majority of voters the library is a “third place.” It’s where they go between work and home to relax, to check out what’s happening, to connect to others.
Between work and home, between boom and bust, the library builds community.
Boom and bust defines the West. Some of us get caught on the wrong side of each end of the cycle. The smarter ones learn from it. They hedge their bets. They invest their money in things they can sustain.
I’ve been a library administrator for almost 45 years. This is the first time I’ve worked in a district that got 50% or more of its revenue from the natural gas sector. It makes you cautious. It encourages you to save. In 2026, library revenues fell by over $830,000, all due to a decrease in natural gas valuation.
In 2006, Garfield County voters approved a 1.0 mill levy for libraries. Its purpose was to build or renovate branches in each of the county’s six municipalities. The money also provided some operational support.
That’s why we have six beautiful libraries, one in every town in the county. We keep them up, too.
In 2027, those bonds (basically mortgages for public buildings) will be paid off. The mill levy sunsets. With it goes a loss of $1,000,000 a year we rely on to help maintain our collections, support our helpful staff and keep our buildings clean, well-maintained and open.
Before letting it go, the library hired Magellan Strategies to survey Garfield County voters. We asked about several things: How often did people actually use the library? How did they rank various services? Would they support a continuance of the modest mill levy? What did they approve or disapprove of?
To take the last first, we have an approval rating of 80%. Our disapproval rating was just 6%. Given some of the wilder claims I’ve heard at public meetings, that was reassuring.
Two thirds of voters indicated support for a potential mill levy extension to continue funding library operations and facilities — without increasing the current tax rate.
The survey also showed high self-reported usage of core library services, with approximately 60% of voters using the library at least once a month. Survey respondents described the library as a “welcoming, safe and inclusive” space that goes “beyond books,” with technology access, digital resources and programs for adults and children.
The Garfield County Libraries are a cornerstone of our community. These survey results demonstrate the deep trust and appreciation Garfield County residents have for their libraries.
There were many outpourings of praise and gratitude for the staff at all of our branches. One message came through loud and clear: Our citizens greatly value our existing services. They want them and the money to pay for them to continue.
So the GCPLD Board of Trustees is considering placing a 1.00 mill levy extension on the November 2026 ballot. The measure would not increase the current tax rate, but simply extend the 2006 voter-approved mill levy.
What would it be used for? In brief, our libraries would continue: maintaining safe, clean and accessible facilities; recruiting and retaining qualified staff; providing books, technology and material; partnering with local organizations addressing food insecurity, mental health and domestic violence; supporting ongoing programs and services.
All funds from the potential measure would remain under local control, audited annually and dedicated exclusively to GCPLD operations. Homeowners would continue paying about $38 per year (based on the median assessed value of a home).
I’ve participated in several studies over the years that calculate the return on investment for library funding. On average, for every dollar patrons put in they get between $5 to $8 back. If you use the library for an online subscription to the Wall Street Journal or tap into various streaming services you can save thousands of dollars per year.
But what we heard from our respondents was something more. For the majority of voters the library is a “third place.” It’s where they go between work and home to relax, to check out what’s happening, to connect to others.
Between work and home, between boom and bust, the library builds community.
[This column originally appeared in the Sopris Sun on March 18, 2026.]
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