Thornton, CO town hall & government
Thornton spent $355.1 million in the year to December 31, 2024, about $2,478 per resident.
Where the money goes, where it comes from, property taxes, and how to reach Thornton's government.
Who runs Thornton
From public records (Open States and Wikidata), which can lag behind an election. If a name is out of date, tell us: when two neighbors agree, it's hidden until the records catch up.
Where Thornton's money goes
Where the money comes from
- Sales taxes 41%
- Interest, fines & other 15%
- Utility sales 14%
- Fees & charges 10%
- Property taxes 8%
- Other taxes & licenses 4%
- From other local governments 4%
- From the state 2%
- From the federal government 2%
Who works for Thornton
Staff on the town's payroll in March 2025. Pay is March payroll times twelve, so it's approximate. Thornton didn't report its staffing to the Census Bureau, so these are the Bureau's estimates.
Adams 12 Five Star Schools
Thornton's K–12 school district, shared with Northglenn, Federal Heights, Broomfield and Westminster. It is its own government, with a budget separate from the town's.
Where the district's money comes from Colorado districts overall: 55% local, 37% state, 8% federal
- Local 48%
- State 44%
- Federal 8%
Of the $15,831 per pupil, $8,555 goes to classroom instruction (teachers, aides, supplies); the rest to support services such as buses, buildings, counselors and administration. Building projects and debt payments aren't in the per-pupil figure.
Also serving Thornton: School District 27J ($12,959 per pupil) · Mapleton School District 1 ($14,663 per pupil) · Adams County School District 14 ($17,691 per pupil).
Which schools Thornton kids attend, test scores and graduation rate →
What homeowners in Thornton pay
The median yearly bill homeowners report, covering every local property tax on the home (town, schools, county). The effective rate is that bill divided by the median home value, so it's a rough guide, not the official tax rate.
Contact Thornton's government
Who represents Thornton
Thornton is represented in Congress by Senators Michael F. Bennet and John W. Hickenlooper and Representative Gabe Evans. Jared Polis is governor.
Budget: U.S. Census Bureau, 2022 Census of Governments: Finance (every city and town government's revenue, spending and debt, grouped into plain categories). Property tax: Census American Community Survey, 5-year estimates.