Denver Area Considers Sales Tax Boost for Light Rail

The board of the Regional Transportation District of Denver has considered placing the proposal on this November's ballot, but may delay until 2012.

"Directors have signaled they are leaning toward postponing the vote, mostly likely until 2012, because polling indicates it will be very difficult to win an election for a tax increase this year.

Next year is not favored for the tax measure because voter turnout is extremely low in odd-year elections, the Regional Transportation District's political consultants say.

If a tax election were successful in 2012, increased tax revenues would close a $2.4 billion FasTracks funding gap and the entire project could be built by 2019, RTD officials said."