Our Culture Makes Colorado a Great Place to Live, Work and Play

Since 1989, the Scientific & Cultural Facilities District (SCFD) has dramatically reshaped the landscape of Colorado communities. As a result, Denver is now in the national spotlight and has been elevated in stature to a world-class cultural center.

The SCFD is a unique collaboration between rural, suburban and urban counties. The distribution budget for scientific and cultural organizations in the seven-county area is approximately $40 million annually. And we've discovered that funding on that scale, delivered to a local area, makes a profound impact.

The generosity of our citizens is fueled by their pragmatic vision. A larger purpose incites this opening of hearts, minds, and pocketbooks—raising the quality of life for family and friends, businesses and our communities. And we benefit in many ways, from those that can be measured objectively to personal experiences that shape who we are.

Over a billion dollars in economic and social activity

What Does $1.7 Billion Look Like? Arts, Culture and Science. Bolstered by unique funding model, metro Denver's culture reaches millions. Learn more about the 2008 Study of Metro Denver Culture.

SCFD supports culture for all

SCFD believes culture should be available to all people. Its funding provides opportunities to children and adults with disabilities, seniors, and children at or below the poverty level. SCFD organizations provide educational outreach to school kids on an unparalleled scale. And, "Free Days" are held throughout the year by the well-loved regional institutions: Denver Art Museum, Denver Botanic Gardens, Denver Museum of Nature and Science, The Denver Center for the Performing Arts, and the Denver Zoo. These activities ensure culture remains open to all citizens.

The SCFD encourages cultural diversity to thrive through its stable source of funding. Numerous regional and local organizations offer an amazing array of traditional and nontraditional programming. As a result, we enjoy a much richer choice of cultural alternatives.

In short, the SCFD is a highly successful model that validates the wisdom of investing in our communities. SCFD feeds our community and our souls.

Crafted for and by the people

The eighties were tough on Colorado, and in 1982, the state legislature ended direct financial support for Denver's four regional institutions: the Denver Art Museum, the Denver Botanic Gardens, the Denver Museum of Natural History (as it was named then) and the Denver Zoo. Due to the loss of public funding, visitors were charged an admission fee for the first time. The City of Denver continued its public support, but surveys revealed that a majority of visitors were residents of the surrounding suburbs and state.

From this challenge, a unique and new idea was crafted. A small sales and use tax could help ensure the future of our cultural institutions. Landmark legislation was enacted to create the SCFD in 1988. More important, rural, suburban, and urban voters came together as partners to support their scientific and cultural organizations by approving the sales and use tax.

Voters reaffirmed their support of the SCFD tax in 1994, and most recently, voters extended their support of culture by approving the SCFD legislation in November 2004 with 65% voter approval. SCFD will now sunset (or expire) on June 30, 2018.

How much is 0.1%?

The SCFD sales and use tax is 0.1%. Said another way, 1¢ for every $10 purchase in Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas and Jefferson counties provides supplemental financial support to metro Denver cultural organizations.

For comparison, the purchase of two movie tickets and popcorn means that approximately 3¢ would go to the SCFD. And on the purchase of a $25,000 car, $25 would be contributed. Plus, the SCFD annual per capita tax contribution was $15.17 in 2007, or about the cost of a movie ticket and a small popcorn. A relatively small price to pay for the enormous return on the taxpayers' investment.

Making SCFD Work

SCFD provides funding to nonprofit organizations and divisions of government that meet the statutory criteria for eligibility. By Colorado law, the organization's primary purpose is to "provide for the enlightenment and entertainment of the public through the production, presentation, exhibition, advancement or preservation of art, music, theater, dance, zoology, botany, natural history or cultural history." But how does SCFD work in the real world?

Funding Tiers

Currently, the SCFD recipients are organized into three tiers:

By statute, Tier I is comprised of the five major regional institutions: the Denver Art Museum, the Denver Botanic Gardens, the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, the Denver Zoo, and The Denver Center for the Performing Arts. Tier I institutions have solid reputations for regional and national excellence. In addition to drawing attendees from the seven-county metro-area and greater Colorado, Tier I organizations generate considerable out-of-state tourism. Tier I organizations receive 65.5% of the SCFD funds.

Tier II represents one of the fastest growing SCFD segments. Tier II organizations include 26 regional organizations offering the best in science and culture. By statute, Tier II organizations qualify for funding based equally on two factors: 1) qualifying annual income, and 2) the organization's paid attendance. Tier II organizations receive 21% of SCFD funds.

Tier III recipients include an astonishing array of small organizations with cultural and scientific missions. From small theater groups, choirs and orchestras to nature and science offerings to art centers and community groups, Tier III organizations benefit our neighborhoods and provide outlets for the most personal cultural interests. Many provide opportunities for members of the community to be involved as performers and educators. Tier III organizations receive 13.5% of the SCFD funds.

Accountability and citizen representation

SCFD is accountable to the taxpaying citizens of the district and maintaining public trust is fundamental. The SCFD Board of Directors and County Cultural Councils play important roles in ensuring the public's money is spent carefully and wisely.

The SCFD Board of Directors is comprised of eleven members. Board members are chosen by county commissioners in each participating county (in Denver and Broomfield, each respective City Council selects the board member). In addition, four members are appointed by the governor. SCFD board members represent different segments of society, including business, education, government, and foundation management. The board reviews and oversees distribution of SCFD funds.

Each SCFD county has a county cultural council. The council members are appointed by county commissioners, or, in the case of Denver and Broomfield Counties, the City Council. The councils represent the needs and preferences of their local constituents. It is the councils that evaluate and approve Tier III grant applications. In a very real way, the SCFD democratizes culture.