What is a Special District?
Published: July 12, 2025.
So, you live in Colorado, but do you know what a special district is and how it serves your community? Don’t worry, in this blog post we will explain what a special district is, how it is formed, what types of services it can provide, and why it is important for the residents of Colorado.
A special district is a local government that is created by the people of a community to deliver specialized services essential to their health, safety, economy, and well-being. A community forms a special district, which is a political subdivision authorized through a state’s statutes, to provide specialized services the local city, municipality, or county does not provide. For example, Trails Park and Recreation District was formed back in 1983 to maintain and oversee portions of land in unincorporated Arapahoe County.
Special districts are governed by an elected board of directors who are accountable to the voters and the taxpayers within the district boundaries. Special districts have the authority to levy taxes, fees, charges, and assessments to fund their operations and capital projects. This is part of how we determine if someone is located in our district or if they’re out of the district. If you live in a neighborhood (or development) that opted into the Special District, you’re considered a resident. If your neighborhood didn’t exist at the time of formation or didn’t vote to opt in, you’re considered out-of-district.
Special districts are also subject to state laws and regulations regarding transparency, accountability, and fiscal responsibility.
How is a Special District Formed?
A special district is formed through a process called service plan approval. A service plan is a document that outlines the proposed services, boundaries, governance, financing, and operations of the proposed district. The service plan must be approved by the county commissioners or the municipal governing body where the district is located, as well as by the voters within the proposed district boundaries. The service plan approval process ensures that the proposed district meets the needs and desires of the community, as well as the statutory requirements for special districts.
What Types of Services Can a Special District Provide?
Special districts can provide a wide range of services that are essential for the quality of life and economic development of Colorado communities. Some of the most common types of special districts in Colorado can be found below!
Ambulance districts:
Ambulance Districts provide emergency medical services and transportation.
Fire protection districts:
Fire protection districts provide fire prevention, suppression, and rescue services.
Health assurance districts:
Health assurance districts provide health care facilities and services such as hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and home health care.
Library district:
Library district provide access to online resources like books or other print and digital materials.
Metropolitan districts:
Metropolitan districts provide two or more types of services such as water, sanitation, parks and recreation, streets and roads, transportation, and security.
Park and recreation districts:
Park and recreation districts provide parks, trails, open spaces, recreation facilities, and programs (that’s us!)
Sanitation districts:
Sanitation districts provide wastewater collection and treatment services.
Water districts:
Water districts provide water supply, distribution, and treatment services.
Why are Special Districts Important?
Special districts are important because it allows communities to have more control over the services they need and want; they can tailor their services to meet the unique needs and preferences of their residents or leverage expertise and resources to deliver high-quality and cost-effective services. Special districts can also collaborate with other local governments and stakeholders to address regional issues and challenges. We do this with a variety of different entities throughout the region!
Special districts are also important because they contribute to the economic vitality and sustainability of Colorado. Special districts create jobs, support businesses, attract investments, enhance property values, improve infrastructure, protect natural resources, and promote public health and safety.
How Can You Learn More About Special Districts?
If you want to learn more about special districts in Colorado, you can visit the following websites:
Special Districts | Division of Local Government: This website provides information on the formation, administration, reporting, and oversight of special districts in Colorado.
Special District Association of Colorado (SDA): This website provides information on the membership organization that represents and supports special districts in Colorado.
National Special Districts Coalition (NSDC): This website provides information on the national advocacy organization that promotes the interests of special districts across the country.
