the numbers.

Residents deserve leadership that uses taxpayer dollars responsibly. Instead, the current Board of Trustees has approved hundreds of thousands of dollars in unnecessary spending—including litigation with Central Weld County Water District, feasibility studies and surveys for Central Park (over $800,000), and a partnership with the United Soccer League—all while ignoring community input. These decisions have jeopardized our water stability and squandered taxpayer funds.

Costs will continue to mount as long as the litigation persists and the USL partnership remains in place, placing an ongoing financial burden on the community.

  • The Town of Firestone has spent hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars on legal battles with the Central Weld County Water District, with no clear end in sight. All figures are documented in CORA requests and the Town of Firestone’s monthly financial reports. This ongoing litigation represents a significant drain on taxpayer funds, with costs continuing to mount while residents see no resolution.

    Water-related legal expenses:

    2024 (through December):

    • Ausmus Law Firm – $12,000

    • Lawrence Custer Grasmick Jones & Donovan – $369,298.25

    • Brownstein Hyatt Farer Schreck – $37,967.07
      Total: $381,298.25

    2025 (through July):

    • Ausmus Law Firm – $10,200

    • Lawrence Custer Grasmick Jones & Donovan – $323,553.88

    • Brownstein Hyatt Farer Schreck – $37,967.07
      Total: $371,720.95

    Central Weld County Water District recently released a rate comparison showing a stark difference between what the Town of Firestone pays and what residents are charged. On average, residents are paying 66% more than the Town is billed by CWCWD.

  • The Town of Firestone has spent significant funds on Central Park projects with little to show for it. Design Workshop received $379,000 (Resolution 20-121), Mammoth $11,000 (1/24/2024 BOT meeting), and P3 another $380,000 (Resolution 23-120) in November 2023 for various feasibility studies. Additionally, POLCO surveys have cost $36,000 each, with two surveys completed to date, for a total of $842,000 in recent years.

    Additionally, at the October 15th DDA meeting, the Firestone Downtown Development Authority (FDDA) budget was approved. The 2025 budget shows $175,000 in purchased services (legal counsel), while the proposed 2026 budget allocates $200,337 for personnel and purchased services. Currently, the FDDA has no revenue, and these funds will come from the Town’s General Fund, with the FDDA intending to repay the Town once it generates revenue.

    Moreover, under the preplanning agreement with USL, the Town could be responsible for up to $250,000 for a scoping fee (Resolution 25-96). This adds another layer of potential financial risk, despite no guaranteed return on the Town’s substantial investments in Central Park or the FDDA.

  • Special elections cover costs like ballot printing and mailing, election services, staffing, and logistics. In the past, Firestone’s special elections have cost about $40,000. With recent growth and rising expenses, this recall election is expected to cost $60,000–$80,000.

    That’s not pocket change—but it’s an important investment in accountability and fiscal responsibility. The cost of doing nothing could be far higher.

    The Real Cost of the Board’s Decisions

    Water Services Risk

    Because the current board has jeopardized Firestone’s partnership with the Central Weld County Water District, without a new board, the town will be forced to find new water sources on its own—a move that could cost millions in infrastructure and connection fees.

    Replacing Central Weld’s service would mean installing hundreds of thousands of feet of new water main ($75-$225 per foot), and/or new wells that each cost hundreds of thousands to over a million dollars. In contrast, a $60K–$80K recall empowers residents to choose new leadership focused on repairing Firestone’s relationship with the Central Weld County Water District and restoring the contract beyond 2028 —at no extra infrastructure cost to taxpayers.

    USL Partnership Liabilities

    The board’s proposed partnership with the United Soccer League (USL) also poses serious financial risks. Starting a USL franchise requires a multi-million-dollar investment (The FDD Exchange) just to join, plus ongoing expenses for operations, facilities, insurance, and subsidies. Without oversight, those commitments could drain town resources for years to come.

    Bottom line:
    A recall election costs tens of thousands. Staying on the current course could cost Firestone millions. Voting for accountability now protects residents from much higher bills later.