New Public Services Facilities

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New Combined Police and Public Works building will improve

community services by enhancing operations of both departments.

As Basalt grows and community needs evolve, the Town’s public services must evolve with them. From maintaining streets and infrastructure to providing professional police services, the Town’s Public Works and Police departments play an essential role in the daily life of the community.

The Basalt Town Council has identified a new Public Services Building as a priority to provide modern, safe, and efficient facilities for these two departments. The proposed facility will bring Police and Public Works together in one location, creating opportunities for greater operational efficiency while providing workspaces and facilities that better support the services they provide.

The Town is currently in the conceptual planning and design process for the new facility. A new Public Services Building could provide updated facilities for Town staff, improve operational efficiency and safety, and support the continued delivery of essential services to Basalt residents, businesses, and visitors

CONCEPTUAL DESIGN

The Town of Basalt is proposing the project combine parcels at 20522 and 20526 Highway 82. The facility could bring the Town’s Public Works operations and Police Department together in one modern, efficient building designed to better serve the community.

The existing 4,320-square-foot Public Works building would remain on the site. The proposed new building would be approximately 17,891 square feet and include Public Works administrative offices, vehicle and equipment storage, maintenance areas, and Police Department offices and support spaces.

The new facility is contemplated as a highly energy-efficient public building that is durable, practical, and responsive to its surroundings. The design process is focused on using efficient building methods and materials that can help control construction costs and reduce the overall construction timeline, while creating a building that will serve the Town for decades to come.

A Conceptual Building Designed for Basalt

The Public Services Building is intended to provide a welcoming and recognizable civic presence while meeting the security and operational needs of both the Police Department and Public Works.

The building design breaks down the scale of the two-story structure and provides a clear, welcoming public entrance and community meeting space. Public-facing areas will be clearly separated from secure Police and Public Works operations, helping the building function safely and efficiently.

The exterior design is being developed with durable, regionally appropriate materials such as stone or brick, wood-toned siding, and metal. Roof forms, covered entrances, and other details will respond to Basalt’s winter conditions and snow. The overall architectural approach is contemporary while remaining compatible with the surrounding neighborhood and Basalt’s varied mix of buildings.

Throughout the design process, the Town will prioritized long-term durability, straightforward maintenance, energy efficiency, clear wayfinding, operational security, and compatibility with the surrounding community.


Potential Project Timeline

The project is currently in the planning and conceptual design phase, which could be completed in quarter one of 2027. Construction Documents would then be prepared, with the project could to go out to bid in summer 2027.

The Town will continue to provide updates as the design develops.

NOVEMBER 2026 BALLOT QUESTION

Town Council has placed a sales tax question on the November ballot for voter approval. If approved by voters, it would be subject to annual independent audits published on the Town’s website and could only be used to build, operate and maintain the Public Services Facility.

If approved, the additional sales tax would be dedicated to public services facilities and would sunset after 20 years or when the associated project financing is paid off, consistent with the terms established by the ballot measure.

The text of the ballot question is below.

Town of Basalt Ballot Issue 3A: Increase Sales Tax for Public Services Facilities

Shall the Town of Basalt's sales taxes be increased by not more than $1,700,000 in the first full fiscal year (2027) and by such additional amounts as are generated annually thereafter by increasing, for a limited period not to exceed twenty years, the Town's sales tax by 0.5% which shall take effect January 1, 2027, and which revenues therefrom shall be used for the acquisition, planning, construction, operation, maintenance, repair, and replacement of public services facilities and related infrastructure and equipment; and shall the Town be authorized to collect, retain and spend such revenues, and any investment income earned from such revenues, notwithstanding any applicable revenue or expenditure limitation imposed by Article X, Section 20 of the Colorado Constitution or any other law?

YES

NO


PAST OPEN HOUSE INFORMATION, STORY OF PROJECT, AND PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT

If you missed our open houses, please follow the story of this project and view the PDF here. Below is also a link to a video presentation of the slides that offers a detailed story of the need for the project, the solutions, and current conditions in both the Police and Public Works Departments.

To see a complete list of our public engagement activities and community engagement summary, please visit this document.

Current Facilities

Basalt’s Police Department operates within a shared office space with non-Town businesses that was never designed for law enforcement. Officers work in tight quarters without dedicated areas for interviews, investigations, or evidence handling. The facility also lacks secure parking for patrol vehicles, appropriate space for detainee processing, and sufficient room for emergency operations. These limitations affect not only efficiency, but also privacy, safety and the overall experience for members of the public seeking assistance.

Public Works operates under similarly challenging conditions. Staff and equipment are dispersed across five locations, including temporary structures that have exceeded their useful life. This fragmentation makes daily operations less efficient—adding travel time for staff between sites, increasing fuel costs, and slowing coordination during emergencies and routine service. Equipment is also frequently stored outdoors, where exposure to weather leads to faster deterioration and higher long-term costs.

Future Public Services Facility

Because both departments require new facilities, constructing a single building is a more efficient use of public funds. A shared facility avoids duplicating spaces and amenities, reducing overall costs while meeting the needs of both Police and Public Works. Bringing these teams together in a purpose-built space will streamline operations, improve coordination, and create a safer, more functional environment for employees and the public.

Police and Public Works already work closely on public safety issues, and co-location will strengthen that partnership. The Town’s infrastructure plays a critical role in community safety, and having both departments in one place will improve coordination during emergencies such as traffic incidents, utility disruptions, wildfires, and floods—especially when roadway management is essential.

The two departments also collaborate on community events, including Basalt’s concerts and gatherings. Sharing a facility will enhance day-to-day communication, support stronger working relationships, and create new opportunities for collaboration and innovation over time.

For residents, this means more responsive services, better-maintained infrastructure and a more professional and welcoming experience when interacting with Town staff.

The Police Department’s portion of the facility is designed with both service and community in mind. It will provide clearly defined public spaces, private areas for sensitive conversations and secure zones for evidence and operations. A dedicated community room will create new opportunities for engagement, education and connection between officers and residents.

Specific design considerations for the new police area will include:

  • A safe, welcoming, and accessible place to report incidents or seek help
  • Private spaces for victims and sensitive conversations
  • Secure areas for evidence, investigations and detainee processing
  • A community room to strengthen relationships between officers and residents
  • Secure police vehicle storage and safe access to the police facility

A centralized Public Works facility will allow for proper storage, efficient deployment of equipment and improved maintenance practices These improvements would help protect taxpayer investments in Basalt’s streets, parks, infrastructure, and maintenance fleet over the long term.

A new, centralized facility for Public Works will:

  • Improve efficiency and response times
  • Provide proper storage and maintenance for equipment
  • Extend the life of town-owned vehicles and assets
  • Reduce long-term maintenance and replacement costs


Proposed Location


Basalt is planning to place the facility on Town-owned land on the west side of Highway 82, approximately halfway between downtown Basalt and Willits. Both parcels off Original Road – 20522 and 20526 Highway 82 – represent the proposed site. This location offers improved access to both areas of Town, better separation of public and secure areas, and enhanced traffic flow with primary and secondary/emergency points. It also provides space for future expansion as community needs evolve.

The proposed town-owned site offers:

  • Easy access to both sides of Basalt
  • Improved traffic flow and emergency response routes
  • Separation of public and secure areas
  • Room for expansion as the community grows

Project Funding

The proposed Public Services Facility is currently estimated to cost approximately $25 million to construct. The Town anticipates contributing approximately $7 million from existing reserves, with the remaining estimated $18 million financed over time.

The Town does not currently have sufficient reserves or existing tax revenue to fund the entire project upfront. A dedicated sales tax revenue source would provide the Town with a predictable source of revenue that could support financing the project while spreading the cost of a long-term public investment over time. The facility is expected to serve the community for 20 years or longer, making long-term financing a potential funding approach similar to financing other significant long-lived assets.

The current cost estimate was developed by Wold Architects and Engineers based on the facility’s anticipated space requirements and operational needs. An initial facility study was completed in 2023 following the Town’s 2022 land purchase. Town Council directed staff and the design team to revise the study at its January 23, 2024, meeting, with the revised study presented to Council on December 9, 2025. The approximately $25 million project cost is an estimate and will continue to be refined as the project advances through design, entitlement, and construction planning.

WORKING TEAM

Basalt Council selected Wold Architects & Engineers as the team to design, engineer, and work on the entitlement process for the project. They will work closely with the staff throughout the design phase and will also conduct public engagement which is a key part of the planning process.

New Combined Police and Public Works building will improve

community services by enhancing operations of both departments.

As Basalt grows and community needs evolve, the Town’s public services must evolve with them. From maintaining streets and infrastructure to providing professional police services, the Town’s Public Works and Police departments play an essential role in the daily life of the community.

The Basalt Town Council has identified a new Public Services Building as a priority to provide modern, safe, and efficient facilities for these two departments. The proposed facility will bring Police and Public Works together in one location, creating opportunities for greater operational efficiency while providing workspaces and facilities that better support the services they provide.

The Town is currently in the conceptual planning and design process for the new facility. A new Public Services Building could provide updated facilities for Town staff, improve operational efficiency and safety, and support the continued delivery of essential services to Basalt residents, businesses, and visitors

CONCEPTUAL DESIGN

The Town of Basalt is proposing the project combine parcels at 20522 and 20526 Highway 82. The facility could bring the Town’s Public Works operations and Police Department together in one modern, efficient building designed to better serve the community.

The existing 4,320-square-foot Public Works building would remain on the site. The proposed new building would be approximately 17,891 square feet and include Public Works administrative offices, vehicle and equipment storage, maintenance areas, and Police Department offices and support spaces.

The new facility is contemplated as a highly energy-efficient public building that is durable, practical, and responsive to its surroundings. The design process is focused on using efficient building methods and materials that can help control construction costs and reduce the overall construction timeline, while creating a building that will serve the Town for decades to come.

A Conceptual Building Designed for Basalt

The Public Services Building is intended to provide a welcoming and recognizable civic presence while meeting the security and operational needs of both the Police Department and Public Works.

The building design breaks down the scale of the two-story structure and provides a clear, welcoming public entrance and community meeting space. Public-facing areas will be clearly separated from secure Police and Public Works operations, helping the building function safely and efficiently.

The exterior design is being developed with durable, regionally appropriate materials such as stone or brick, wood-toned siding, and metal. Roof forms, covered entrances, and other details will respond to Basalt’s winter conditions and snow. The overall architectural approach is contemporary while remaining compatible with the surrounding neighborhood and Basalt’s varied mix of buildings.

Throughout the design process, the Town will prioritized long-term durability, straightforward maintenance, energy efficiency, clear wayfinding, operational security, and compatibility with the surrounding community.


Potential Project Timeline

The project is currently in the planning and conceptual design phase, which could be completed in quarter one of 2027. Construction Documents would then be prepared, with the project could to go out to bid in summer 2027.

The Town will continue to provide updates as the design develops.

NOVEMBER 2026 BALLOT QUESTION

Town Council has placed a sales tax question on the November ballot for voter approval. If approved by voters, it would be subject to annual independent audits published on the Town’s website and could only be used to build, operate and maintain the Public Services Facility.

If approved, the additional sales tax would be dedicated to public services facilities and would sunset after 20 years or when the associated project financing is paid off, consistent with the terms established by the ballot measure.

The text of the ballot question is below.

Town of Basalt Ballot Issue 3A: Increase Sales Tax for Public Services Facilities

Shall the Town of Basalt's sales taxes be increased by not more than $1,700,000 in the first full fiscal year (2027) and by such additional amounts as are generated annually thereafter by increasing, for a limited period not to exceed twenty years, the Town's sales tax by 0.5% which shall take effect January 1, 2027, and which revenues therefrom shall be used for the acquisition, planning, construction, operation, maintenance, repair, and replacement of public services facilities and related infrastructure and equipment; and shall the Town be authorized to collect, retain and spend such revenues, and any investment income earned from such revenues, notwithstanding any applicable revenue or expenditure limitation imposed by Article X, Section 20 of the Colorado Constitution or any other law?

YES

NO


PAST OPEN HOUSE INFORMATION, STORY OF PROJECT, AND PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT

If you missed our open houses, please follow the story of this project and view the PDF here. Below is also a link to a video presentation of the slides that offers a detailed story of the need for the project, the solutions, and current conditions in both the Police and Public Works Departments.

To see a complete list of our public engagement activities and community engagement summary, please visit this document.

Current Facilities

Basalt’s Police Department operates within a shared office space with non-Town businesses that was never designed for law enforcement. Officers work in tight quarters without dedicated areas for interviews, investigations, or evidence handling. The facility also lacks secure parking for patrol vehicles, appropriate space for detainee processing, and sufficient room for emergency operations. These limitations affect not only efficiency, but also privacy, safety and the overall experience for members of the public seeking assistance.

Public Works operates under similarly challenging conditions. Staff and equipment are dispersed across five locations, including temporary structures that have exceeded their useful life. This fragmentation makes daily operations less efficient—adding travel time for staff between sites, increasing fuel costs, and slowing coordination during emergencies and routine service. Equipment is also frequently stored outdoors, where exposure to weather leads to faster deterioration and higher long-term costs.

Future Public Services Facility

Because both departments require new facilities, constructing a single building is a more efficient use of public funds. A shared facility avoids duplicating spaces and amenities, reducing overall costs while meeting the needs of both Police and Public Works. Bringing these teams together in a purpose-built space will streamline operations, improve coordination, and create a safer, more functional environment for employees and the public.

Police and Public Works already work closely on public safety issues, and co-location will strengthen that partnership. The Town’s infrastructure plays a critical role in community safety, and having both departments in one place will improve coordination during emergencies such as traffic incidents, utility disruptions, wildfires, and floods—especially when roadway management is essential.

The two departments also collaborate on community events, including Basalt’s concerts and gatherings. Sharing a facility will enhance day-to-day communication, support stronger working relationships, and create new opportunities for collaboration and innovation over time.

For residents, this means more responsive services, better-maintained infrastructure and a more professional and welcoming experience when interacting with Town staff.

The Police Department’s portion of the facility is designed with both service and community in mind. It will provide clearly defined public spaces, private areas for sensitive conversations and secure zones for evidence and operations. A dedicated community room will create new opportunities for engagement, education and connection between officers and residents.

Specific design considerations for the new police area will include:

  • A safe, welcoming, and accessible place to report incidents or seek help
  • Private spaces for victims and sensitive conversations
  • Secure areas for evidence, investigations and detainee processing
  • A community room to strengthen relationships between officers and residents
  • Secure police vehicle storage and safe access to the police facility

A centralized Public Works facility will allow for proper storage, efficient deployment of equipment and improved maintenance practices These improvements would help protect taxpayer investments in Basalt’s streets, parks, infrastructure, and maintenance fleet over the long term.

A new, centralized facility for Public Works will:

  • Improve efficiency and response times
  • Provide proper storage and maintenance for equipment
  • Extend the life of town-owned vehicles and assets
  • Reduce long-term maintenance and replacement costs


Proposed Location


Basalt is planning to place the facility on Town-owned land on the west side of Highway 82, approximately halfway between downtown Basalt and Willits. Both parcels off Original Road – 20522 and 20526 Highway 82 – represent the proposed site. This location offers improved access to both areas of Town, better separation of public and secure areas, and enhanced traffic flow with primary and secondary/emergency points. It also provides space for future expansion as community needs evolve.

The proposed town-owned site offers:

  • Easy access to both sides of Basalt
  • Improved traffic flow and emergency response routes
  • Separation of public and secure areas
  • Room for expansion as the community grows

Project Funding

The proposed Public Services Facility is currently estimated to cost approximately $25 million to construct. The Town anticipates contributing approximately $7 million from existing reserves, with the remaining estimated $18 million financed over time.

The Town does not currently have sufficient reserves or existing tax revenue to fund the entire project upfront. A dedicated sales tax revenue source would provide the Town with a predictable source of revenue that could support financing the project while spreading the cost of a long-term public investment over time. The facility is expected to serve the community for 20 years or longer, making long-term financing a potential funding approach similar to financing other significant long-lived assets.

The current cost estimate was developed by Wold Architects and Engineers based on the facility’s anticipated space requirements and operational needs. An initial facility study was completed in 2023 following the Town’s 2022 land purchase. Town Council directed staff and the design team to revise the study at its January 23, 2024, meeting, with the revised study presented to Council on December 9, 2025. The approximately $25 million project cost is an estimate and will continue to be refined as the project advances through design, entitlement, and construction planning.

WORKING TEAM

Basalt Council selected Wold Architects & Engineers as the team to design, engineer, and work on the entitlement process for the project. They will work closely with the staff throughout the design phase and will also conduct public engagement which is a key part of the planning process.

Page last updated: 07 Oct 2026, 01:32 PM