[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6147338,"mediaKeyId","5521321-660aae1f3c1d27204183aeb0157aa716","parentId",5521321,"title","County staff signal support for long-term Saddleback Ranch lease; state land board glamping proposal raises land-use questions","audioSeconds",178,"startMs",133365,"endMs",311870,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5521321-660aae1f3c1d27204183aeb0157aa716&start=133&end=311","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5521321-660aae1f3c1d27204183aeb0157aa716/thumbnail_133365.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6147338/Routt-County/Colorado/County-staff-signal-support-for-long-term-Saddleback-Ranch-lease-state-land-board-glamping-proposal-raises-land-use-questions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6147338-95eaa81364ecebd3ab8d8dae594c7f73/orig.mp4?Expires=1773617253&Signature=iLuxkdWxO1IsGLmgy9dmHcHNUt0KYYtkRzcpSZLELKYN2TfjXfNqROm7-Wu6zEf-MyoSnUaaB3tqtK8UJvMwIv3a4HCQbSLd5Zab65Ykx~12LT~krIRO5wM5uHxM3XFuTeEE3dMmdmn2EmM7UP6yYFSteDtF8Ow~2HhTD6IC8cLw~oHcOfReXcKPaZDqlcXElcd1ra9quhclavJL32NMi3yd7HgSXTZtXYR7zzRx8HwRlNMDhbyj7UgGrzS38PYPCoj~7JVSRvhAiXtwQec~UXIH~Jl2B0c1TQXby12R0G28d4iw~E6hcR0CroswF0QsQM73exPr3NjsShjLOHl~Iw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Routt County","date","2025-07-28T00:00:00Z","article","Route County officials on July 28 said they expect to consider a county letter supporting a lease renewal request by Saddleback Ranch and Double Dollar Cattle Company, which staff said have operated on portions of state land in the Cow Creek area for decades.

County staff told commissioners that the ranching operation has leased the property continuously for about 50 years and that the state land board recently revised lease terms, shortening typical agricultural lease lengths from 20 years to 10 years and recreational leases to five years. Staff said the change has complicated renewals and raised questions about how combined agricultural and recreational uses would be administered under the new terms.

Commissioners and staff also flagged that the state land board had received a separate proposal to site a roughly 100-acre glamping operation with access from Cow Creek on state land in the same corridor. Commissioners noted that glamping or recreation uses on state land may not be permitted “by right” under county zoning and that any visitor-oriented development on state property would likely need to go through county land-use review and meet county zoning requirements, including road-access considerations.

Staff said the county had no record of complaints about Saddleback Ranch from permittees and that the county manager and one commissioner indicated they would support a letter in good faith noting the ranch’s long-term use and absence of complaints. Commissioners also noted that overlapping proposals in the same corridor could create potential land-use conflicts and that county processes would apply even on state-owned parcels within the county’s jurisdiction for zoning and access issues.

Ending: County staff signaled they will prepare a letter of support for Saddleback Ranch’s lease renewal and flagged that the county may need to review any glamping or new recreational proposals on adjacent state land through existing county land-use and access standards.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Routt County Commissioners' Work Session | July 28, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","County staff on July 28 said Saddleback Ranch/Double Dollar Cattle Company has leased state land in the Cow Creek corridor for about 50 continuous years and that the county would likely prepare a letter of support for a lease renewal.","taxTitle","Routt County, Colorado","taxId",70583,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6147343,"South Route regional housing effort adds coordinator, plans advisory board and funding request",901,2172675,3074490,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5521321-660aae1f3c1d27204183aeb0157aa716&start=2172&end=3074","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5521321-660aae1f3c1d27204183aeb0157aa716/thumbnail_2172675.jpg","/articles/6147343/Routt-County/Colorado/South-Route-regional-housing-effort-adds-coordinator-plans-advisory-board-and-funding-request","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6147343-10217552ad2ce2d98cb6133d634dd370/orig.mp4?Expires=1773617253&Signature=Ex5j9aI6HSVu21YtdWALU61Xu8jbC2A~Erchw0VrUH1~NbB-loNLtia4nc9hthTP3aBgw1S2IrfJPMl8ahrujaxUQrAXTwOue6hbgPwjMCeiTWCzfH5hkyIFCPaShhjbee5ir82oKiGFXvGuBbDL3bMC6TrF1weO-ZZCNpgHOQs7-R4bznWjs5NjyHWoGZat3m2iBrnhcEflNmUAGQpF6hkIMMQ2JlmHADPHzEZfI7BTBuZ7KCpD6CCB4ORbbduTdyGs4hNCu~Ay-c3XezUQorNCjTgOIK3XkpqiWfZOgvgGyxLXQQf~bho65VwMwAKNpbuL9pLAXSjB0zT9B5UoiA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Route County and partner municipalities on July 28 updated the commissioners on a regional South Route housing initiative that has hired a housing innovation manager and is forming an advisory board to guide regional projects, oversight and a possible regional housing authority.

Mary Alice (presenting) told commissioners Drew Blanchard began work July 1 as the housing innovation manager after a prolonged hiring process; Blanchard brings regional ties and was expected to join the meeting remotely. The initiative grew from a South Route Housing Needs Assessment completed last year with participation from municipalities, school districts, fire districts and health services. The assessment identified regulatory and policy changes and action items to promote affordable, workforce and attainable housing in the South Route area.

Commissioners discussed structure and next steps. The advisory board will include representatives from Oak Creek, Yampa and Hayden and one remaining county seat; the group will meet in August to organize and finalize a county budget request for the 2026 budget cycle (commissioners previously committed $30,000 in last year’s budget). Mary Alice said one outcome could be oversight for creation of a multi-jurisdictional South Route housing authority and potentially a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arm to increase flexibility for projects and funding.

Commissioners asked that the housing efforts coordinate with the existing Yampa Valley Housing Authority to avoid duplication. Staff clarified that the Yampa Valley Housing Authority’s service boundary currently covers the Steamboat Springs city and the Steamboat Springs Fire Protection District and does not automatically cover the entire county; therefore, countywide or multi-jurisdictional programs might require a separate authority or close partnership to provide countywide services. Commissioners and staff agreed collaboration and information-sharing would be central to avoiding overlap as the program matures.

Mary Alice said the advisory board will also consider administrative and governance questions and return with a formal budget request. The board set a target for an organizational meeting in August and anticipated returning to the commissioners with a proposed county contribution and defined roles.

Ending: Commissioners welcomed the new housing coordinator, encouraged coordination with Yampa Valley Housing Authority and scheduled follow-up work to finalize advisory-board membership and the 2026 budget request.","County and regional partners have hired a housing innovation manager, are forming a South Route housing advisory board and plan a budget request for continued county support; commissioners discussed governance, collaboration with Yampa Valley Housing Authority and next steps.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6147348,"Route County weighs lodging-tax ballot option to fund infrastructure and destination management",833,3100650,3933945,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5521321-660aae1f3c1d27204183aeb0157aa716&start=3100&end=3933","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5521321-660aae1f3c1d27204183aeb0157aa716/thumbnail_3100650.jpg","/articles/6147348/Routt-County/Colorado/Route-County-weighs-lodging-tax-ballot-option-to-fund-infrastructure-and-destination-management","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6147348-a3f7ba410002944baac366179df31fe7/orig.mp4?Expires=1773617253&Signature=Eu-uPLT6lrtZ-9TLD7EzmKkhdIe1KK0n9TD2GvQ8IvPNQrbUVKFXr~8mMT8Gqajb0MGEMou0yyOBpTys~E5LPDCk2BOypZCUJViWSTgBRc~bivoi5gIKmTnsqR15ovFo3ZZy8RdWj32VGAE4ZIKe1-6octOEFxIrMWjhsAN98lGU7Ly-wg92BaY1cb9dDgFSCW4RVpOmDhA6rUGTicb3735bGLCWd1rDCpRPZ-lVsFS~vHk~SjTd285eNwWZSKGX8anvBJSqPGaC64hA9n7UAtJ7PwfUE-3G7W6VHe3SYz5BaLYK4DN5WYJfp7JqY7jom3Xr1KCPAdnb8e1E2930eQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Route County commissioners on July 28 discussed whether to place a new county lodging tax on a future ballot to help fund public infrastructure, public safety and destination-management activities, while preserving a 10% carve-out for tourism-related programs. Commissioners and staff described the proposal as early-stage and agreed to keep options open while meeting statutory notice and ballot-language deadlines.

The conversation centered on how the tax could be used, revenue estimates and the process and timeline required to go to voters. County staff provided an estimate that a 1% county lodging tax would generate roughly $110,000 annually in unincorporated Route County and cited a lodging inventory of 39 facilities with about 245 units in unincorporated areas. The county noted that if a municipality within the county enacts its own lodging tax for its jurisdiction, the county could not simultaneously collect a lodging tax in that municipality’s boundaries.

Commissioners emphasized outreach before any ballot decision. Staff said the county must notify the state Department of Revenue this month to preserve the option of a November ballot and noted the final ballot language would need to be completed well before the county’s September 5 internal deadline for draft language (one commissioner noted a personal deadline of Sept. 2). The group also discussed statutory requirements: a special fund or restricted accounting for lodging-tax proceeds, publishing the proposal in the official newspaper, and that the election would be a TABOR vote (a voter-approval tax question) to be held at the next regular general election if pursued.

On permitted uses, staff explained current statute allows affordable housing and child care as prior uses and now explicitly lists public infrastructure maintenance or improvement, enhanced public-safety measures and other public-purpose items while preserving a 10% allocation for tourism advertising/marketing (which some county members described as potentially including destination management rather than only marketing). The county also discussed governance rules tied to the 10% tourism carve-out, including formation of a review panel (statute requires a panel that includes tourism-industry representatives and at least three citizens) and that the panel typically recommends how the tourism allocation is spent.

No formal motion was made at the July 28 meeting. Staff reported a placeholder notice had already been provided to county staff to keep the option open and recommended continued stakeholder outreach with lodging operators, municipalities and other partners before any formal ballot placement.

If the county advances a ballot proposal and voters approve it, county staff said the election costs would be reimbursed from the new lodging-tax fund; if not approved, the county would cover the election costs. Commissioners asked staff to compile comparative data from peer Colorado counties (for example, Eagle and Summit counties) and to coordinate outreach to local lodging operators and CAST (Colorado Association of Ski Towns) for benchmarking. The board agreed to keep the topic on future Monday agendas and to coordinate a targeted stakeholder invitation in roughly two weeks.

Ending: The commission left the option open and directed staff to preserve statutory deadlines and to begin targeted outreach; no final decision to place a lodging-tax measure before voters was made on July 28.","County commissioners discussed pursuing a countywide lodging tax ballot measure that could raise about $110,000 per 1% annually, debated allowable uses, stakeholder outreach, and statutory deadlines for a potential November vote.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6147333,"Commissioners briefed on mixed federal/state funding news: MMOF award, solar project funding shortfall and mobile-home park water grant request",360,1133235,1493390,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5521321-660aae1f3c1d27204183aeb0157aa716&start=1133&end=1493","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5521321-660aae1f3c1d27204183aeb0157aa716/thumbnail_1133235.jpg","/articles/6147333/Routt-County/Colorado/Commissioners-briefed-on-mixed-federalstate-funding-news-MMOF-award-solar-project-funding-shortfall-and-mobile-home-park-water-grant-request","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6147333-c1c1278b492e7f931b931d3449627a42/orig.mp4?Expires=1773617253&Signature=kyD9mxbofnQjFJXgr6u9BD9RdfZIbpcM9BoSS6obLdoXtIKQNEUhuO62fgLfSgvAKoNeKXb3Ec6L4nYYKN1qfRT6D8Wv74Gw4vx7P7RNpc5dabc3CIxrDANIGyJ0s-Bhmq5QO0vRNDlaB-yrNTGO67NzOuB8jmjqVFR0bI5N21iDvyheRh1-BrX2AD442YwTWiGlO5Q~vKyXoJ~wcwpfTgGreIVFdDg7h1WMPjd-3Bw8DBB1JnrP52LFRNhMEvvZ1IAdu~qcIGGUBIeuT9~4lck5NIGjL3eeSBcChxZlBg-4-BhaKdVea5fBFO0eB2rtVbdDzojKJfpgP1Y75B8abQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Route County staff on July 28 updated commissioners on several funding items: a Motorized-Only (MMOF) or related transportation funding recommendation that included a reduced match requirement, ongoing funding shortfalls for the county solar project, and a housing-authority request for a letter supporting a Colorado River District grant to upgrade water infrastructure at Whitehaven Mobile Home Park.

Staff said the county’s MMOF-related request asked for $250,000 and had requested a 0% match; the selection committee recommended a 25% local match, which would require Route County to provide $62,500. Staff reported the Transportation Planning Region endorsed the committee recommendation and that the item did not require Transportation Commission approval. There was some internal confusion among CDOT staff about whether a 50% to 25% match reduction required Transportation Commission review; the county’s Transportation Commissioner believed that reducing a match from 50% to 25% did not require the commission’s approval, while county staff said they would confirm the procedural questions.

On renewable-energy funding, commissioners raised concerns that the county’s solar project has lost grant opportunities and could be further affected if the Investment Tax Credit (ITC) is reduced or eliminated; county staff said they were pursuing philanthropic conversations and meeting with stakeholders including the local electric association (YVEA) and private funders to close gaps.

Staff also reported the housing authority had requested a letter of support for a Colorado River District grant to upgrade the water system at Whitehaven Mobile Home Park; commissioners signaled broad support to place that letter on a future consent agenda. Separately, staff said the county used Colorado River District funding previously to support wastewater projects (Milner and Peaberg) and anticipated hiring a painting contractor for Milner to address neighbor concerns.

On dispatch funding notices, staff reported pushback from some smaller agencies and planned follow-up and a joint meeting with the City of Steamboat Springs on Aug. 11 for negotiation and discussion.

Ending: Commissioners asked staff to continue outreach to philanthropic and grant partners to shore up funding gaps for the solar project, to confirm CDOT/TCR procedural questions on match requirements, and to advance the Whitehaven water-improvement support letter to consent when appropriate.","County staff reported a partial MMOF award with a required 25% local match, concerns about lost grant funding for a county solar project and a proposed Colorado River District grant to upgrade water at Whitehaven Mobile Home Park; commissioners discussed outreach and next steps.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

County staff signal support for long-term Saddleback Ranch lease; state land board glamping proposal raises land-use questions

South Route regional housing effort adds coordinator, plans advisory board and funding request

Route County weighs lodging-tax ballot option to fund infrastructure and destination management

Commissioners briefed on mixed federal/state funding news: MMOF award, solar project funding shortfall and mobile-home park water grant request