Castle Rock Town Council takes up a $411.8 million proposed 2027 budget on first reading Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026. Ordinance 2026-036 is paired on the same agenda with the Town's property-tax mill levy, the 2027-2031 financial plan and the five-year capital improvement plan. The Town Manager's budget message, submitted to Council in September, lays out what's in it and what it pays for.
The Numbers
The proposed townwide budget for 2027 is $411.8 million, according to the budget message. That breaks down into:
- $105.2 million for capital improvements
- $49.3 million for debt, interfund loans and transfers between funds
- $257.3 million for operations, including $18.6 million for annual pavement maintenance
Expected 2027 revenues are $348.5 million. The budget message attributes the difference between that figure and total spending to a planned use of $63.3 million in capital reserves, which it describes as "a common and sound practice." The proposed operating budget is 11.5% larger than the Town's 2026 amended operating budget of $230.8 million.
What It Funds
Three items stand out in the budget message's list of 2027 priorities:
- Fire Station 156: the Town plans to "open and begin to operate Fire Station 156 and Logistics Center on Castle Oaks Drive" in 2027.
- Road repaving: the budget funds "an aggressive annual Pavement Maintenance Program, focused in 2027 on southern Castle Rock, at an estimated cost of $18.6 million."
- Castle Rock Sports Center: the Town plans to "open the Castle Rock Sports Center midyear," adding five full-time positions along with part-time staff.
The budget message also lists ongoing water infrastructure work tied to Castle Rock Water's proposed 2027 rate increase, including the Plum Creek Water Purification Facility expansion and desalination planning for the Water Infrastructure and Supply Efficiency (WISE) partnership — the five-year plan sets aside $75.6 million for water resources and long-term water projects.
Mill Levy and Fees
The Town's mill levy is expected to hold at 0.92 mills for 2027, the same rate as 2026, when it's finalized in December. The budget message notes the mill levy has declined 46% since 2011, and that the owner of a median-valued Castle Rock home ($635,115) paid $35.76 in Town property tax in 2026.
The budget message also states that greens fees at Red Hawk Ridge Golf Course and admission fees at the Recreation Center are planned to be increased for 2027, though it does not give a dollar amount or percentage for either.
Where It Stands
Town Council holds first reading Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026, at 6pm in Town Hall Council Chambers, 100 N. Wilcox St. (streaming at CRgov.com/WatchCouncil and on Comcast Channel 22). The budget message lists second and final reading for Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026 — the Town's mill levy ordinance gets its own second and final reading later, on Dec. 1.
Council also holds first reading that same night on Castle Rock Water's proposed 2027 rate increase and a fireworks sales ban during Stage 1 fire restrictions, and gives the kratom retail sales ban its second and final vote.
Sources: Town of Castle Rock, Legistar record for ORD 2026-036 (agenda item 20, first reading Oct. 6, 2026); Proposed 2027 Budget Message, submitted by Town Manager David L. Corliss (budget totals, capital reserve figure, Fire Station 156, pavement maintenance, Sports Center, mill levy, Rec Center/golf fee language, second-reading date); Town Council Oct. 6, 2026 final agenda. All checked Oct. 5, 2026.