2026 6th Penny

An image of a penny

What is the 6th Penny?

State law allows counties, in cooperation with cities and towns, to fund specific projects through a voluntary sales tax. Counties, cities, and towns pass resolutions that include proposed projects and amounts needed to complete those projects. Voters are then asked to vote on those projects. If approved by the majority of voters, a "sixth penny" sales tax is added to your purchases. When the specific amount is collected, the tax stops. 

Laramie County includes the City of Cheyenne and the towns of Albin, Burns, and Pine Bluffs. 

 

When is the next 6th Penny?

The next countywide 6th Penny ballot is scheduled to be on the August 2026 primary election ballot. Local officials from Cheyenne, Albin, Burns, Pine Bluffs, and Laramie County will meet to develop the specific ballot language in the first part of 2026.

The last 6th Penny election was in 2021.

 

What is the difference between the 6th Penny and 5th Penny?

The 6th Penny and 5th Penny are both voter-approved one-cent sales taxes. The 6th Penny is designated for specific purposes and expires when tax revenue collected fulfills the voter-approved ballot initiatives. The 5th Penny is for general operations and capital construction. In Laramie County, the 5th Penny is on the ballot for reapproval every four years. In 2026, both sales taxes will be up for renewal, with the 6th Penny on the August primary election ballot and the 5th Penny on the November general election ballot.

 

City of Cheyenne Projects

Cheyenne City Council approved the slate of City projects at its meeting on Monday, Jan. 26. The following projects were selected for the City's portion of the 6th Penny ballot (this list does not include Laramie County projects or projects proposed by Albin, Burns, or Pine Bluffs).

 

Replacement of the existing Fire Station #2 on Fox Farm Road and relocation of the station to City-owned property at503 West College Drive to better serve current and projected growth areas of the City. The estimated cost of the project is $12 million.

The current Fire Station #2 was built in 1985. The new station will be designed in a similar way to Fire Stations 3, 4, and 5, which were built with 6th Penny funds approved by voters in 2021. The station will improve Cheyenne Fire Rescue's operations and provide a safer work environment for firefighters.

 

Replacement of three aging fire apparatus with two multi-purpose response vehicles and one new 107-foot heavy-duty aerial ladder truck, replacing units originally placed in service in 1998, 2001, and 2008. The estimated cost of the project is $5.02 million

 

Continued investment in proactive street maintenance to preserve roadway infrastructure, enhance safety and ride quality, and reduce long-term repair costs. Work to include crack sealing, patching, surface treatments, and mill-and-overlay projects. The estimated cost of the project is $9 million.

This amount will supplement 5th Penny and other sources of revenue, allowing the City to address road maintenance faster.

 

Replacement and modernization of in-car cameras, body-worn cameras, and electronic control devices, along with associated digital evidence storage and investigative software. The estimated cost of the project is $3.7 million.

 

Replacement of outdated fire department equipment, including personal protective gear and department radio systems, to maintain safety and operational effectiveness. The estimated cost of the project is$1.05 million.

 

Repairs, upgrades, and maintenance of the City’s Greenway system, including funding for staffing, to ensure the system remains clean, safe, and accessible and to prevent more costly future repairs. The estimated cost of the project is $3 million

 

Improvements to various downtown facilities and infrastructure, including replacement of the Jack R. Spiker Parking Garage elevator, renovation of the Cheyenne Depot Museum, construction of enclosed storage areas for trash and recycling containers, and curb and sidewalk improvements. The estimated cost of the project is $4 million.

 

Construction of an enclosed training building with modular interior walls for simunitions-based training and resurfacing of the pistol range deck to improve safety and usability. The estimated cost of the project is $1 million

 

Leveraging these revenues with other funding sources to support new Greenway construction and major rehabilitation projects, including the Yellowstone Road underpass rehabilitation, Parsley Boulevard extension, and the Cribbon connection. The estimated cost of the project is $3 million.

 

Completion of a full remodel of the existing Municipal Building, following design and planning work previously approved and funded by voters in 2021. The project includes improvements to public service areas, office space reconfiguration, ADA accessibility upgrades, and associated furniture and equipment. The estimated cost of the project is $22 million.

 

Replacement of the former Johnson Pool facility in South Cheyenne. Project planning is approximately 65% complete and this project allows completion of final design and construction of a new outdoor pool facility with expanded amenities. The estimated cost of the project is $10.47 million.

The existing Johnson Pool was closed in 2025 following more than 70 years of use. The aging pool was subject to leaks and thousands of dollars in annual repairs. In 2024, for example, the pool opening had to be delayed due to leaks and mandatory repair of the pool shell.

In 2021, voters approved a 6th Penny project to design a new pool facility to replace Johnson Pool. The early design work was approved by City Council in 2024 and included public outreach, including a public meeting and online survey. A new Johnson Pool will remain in Lincoln Park.