Enhancing Lives Through Recreation in Gunnison County

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Our Story

MetRec is a special district, a type of local government created by the community to provide services not offered by the municipality or county. An elected board of directors represents constituents. With a service area that encompasses almost all of Gunnison County and part of Saguache County, MetRec facilitates collaborative recreation initiatives across jurisdictional boundaries.

Service Plan | Every special district is guided by a formal service plan, a binding agreement between the district and the approving county or municipality. Read MetRec’s.

Vision | To improve our citizens’ quality of life by promoting vital recreation opportunities.

Mission | To provide high-quality over the air TV service and strategic leadership that leverages innovative partnerships to accomplish vital recreation opportunities for our communities.

History

1978

Voters pass Ballot Issue XY to create Gunnison Metropolitan Recreation District (MetRec) to fund over-the-air television service. One mill levy property tax goes into effect district-wide.

1978

2001

Voters pass Ballot Issue YZ, expanding MetRec’s service plan to include parks and recreation services, allowing the district to use Colorado Lottery proceeds restricted to parks, open spaces and rec facilities.

2001

2018

Voters pass Ballot Issue 7D, allowing MetRec to keep and spend all collected tax revenue. Previously, the district had to refund “excess” revenue as determined by the TABOR formula.

2018

2022

Voters in the North Subdistrict pass Ballot Issue 6B, increasing funding for capital, nonprofit and community grants. An additional two mill levies go into effect in the North Subdistrict.

2022

2025

MetRec publishes its Recreation Master Plan, created from community input on rec wants and needs. The board of directors resolves to end television services.

2025

Service Area

Funding

The majority of MetRec funding comes from property tax mill levies. One mill generates $1 in taxes for every $1,000 of assessed property value.

One mill across the entire district feeds the General Fund, which covers TV operations, administrative expenses, and recreation spending for the entire district. An additional two mills in the North Subdistrict feed the North Subdistrict budget, which may only go toward recreation in the subdistrict.

About 3.5% of the MetRec budget comes from Colorado Trust Funds, Colorado Lottery proceeds distributed to local governments for the purpose of acquiring and maintaining parks, open space, and recreation facilities.

2026 Budgets