A Mesa County Library card holder posted a 3-page letter on Instagram that is being sent to library users announcing that the Orchard Mesa (OM) Library at 230 Lynwood is facing several problems that threaten its existence, including the sharply rising cost of rent, decreasing usage and a lower budget in 2026 due to changes in Colorado property tax laws.
Section 4 of Article X of the Colorado Constitution exempts public libraries from paying property taxes, but the OM Library doesn’t own its building. It rents the space, and the rent increased 21% in 2023. Also, in the last few years, Colorado has passed laws cutting property taxes to relieve pressure on property owners for rapidly increasing property valuations amid the housing shortage. The result is that less money is flowing to local governments to help fund public amenities like libraries.
The Library is exploring alternatives, like seeking a building where the rent is more affordable, or partnering to share space with another entity on Orchard Mesa.
The Library Director and a member of the Library’s Board of Trustees will be available at the OM Library to talk with constituents about these problems on several days and times between March 4 and March 26. See the third page of the letter for the times when these officials will be at the OM Library to talk to constituents. If you can’t make any of the meetings, you can also email the executive director of the Library at director@mcpld.org or fill out a comment card at the OM Library.
Here is the letter library card holders received explaining the situation, and what people can do:
Library letter, page 1
“Also, in the last few years, Colorado has passed laws cutting property taxes to relieve pressure on property owners for rapidly increasing property valuations amid the housing shortage.”
The property tax cuts were to relieve commercial real estate owners and folks with multiple houses from paying into the communities that they own property in. The tax relief has very little effect for folks living in owner-occupied housing, but it significantly eases the burden on the mega wealthy who are scooping up all the real estate and dictating how much rent everyone else has to pay (and then buying more real estate with their profits.) Eat the rich.