This story will be updated as election results start coming in.
Early election results Tuesday night show voters largely supporting a tax measure for schools in Denver’s northern suburbs.
Of more than 65,500 votes counted by 10 p.m. in Broomfield and Adams counties, 60.65 percent of voters are in favor of a bond request for Adams 12 Five Star Schools, and 39.34 percent are against the measure.
Voters stopping Tuesday at Thornton’s Civic Center polling location said they supported the school district’s bond measure.
“I don’t have kids, but I’m all for them,” said Liz Spraker. “I think teachers need to be paid more. That’s our future.”
Adams 12 Five Star Schools, which serves Thornton, Northglenn, Broomfield, Federal Heights and areas of Westminster, is requesting voters approve a $350 million bond measure that wouldn’t raise taxes.
Because the district’s tax base and property values have increased, and because the school district recently reduced its existing debt payments, the area’s existing tax rate is already collecting enough money so the district can make payments on a new debt.
The $350 million would pay for renovations at all district schools, a new preschool through eighth grade school in the Anthem neighborhood of Broomfield and would expand career and technical programs in the district.
Colorado Votes 2016 | For more live coverage and results click here.Voters in Adams 12 rejected a $220 million bond and a mill levy override request in 2014.
After that defeat, the school district invested in an analysis of the district’s schools and created school report cards that showed the condition of each building detailing the needs such as the need to replace plumbing fixtures, failing sidewalks or security systems.