[{"_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",6426895,"mediaKeyId","5880119-ed4ef394a28428190faf186ef0c14414","parentId",5880119,"title","Lake County commissioners debate vacancy taxes, transfer fee proposals and local housing tools","audioSeconds",644,"startMs",124000,"endMs",768000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5880119-ed4ef394a28428190faf186ef0c14414&start=124&end=768","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5880119-ed4ef394a28428190faf186ef0c14414/thumbnail_124000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6426895/Lake-County/Colorado/Lake-County-commissioners-debate-vacancy-taxes-transfer-fee-proposals-and-local-housing-tools","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6426895-06bdb94889d4a504cdf7fa09080ba2fc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174876&Signature=AzBFACHeHzznydjYeRiq3ARd1S2f2JVxC7BvMaY9VMuJeTKvFcMxt2Bj2EPQyELKyU47t3ExZheIh0EVvzgQF3GQhNqeUOuMS-RegfUsVMvRakAyL3WiYX1GEHKoE7thcmcOgYGQ1G-AxLaxvag8BfaY3igLwSQDz8shrMJgyk2zIufq1dLcRhZ7i4ygOKRZhLVxYP2P5eG2NGqV8olWNa74nWWfaTtwCV2qWdYvAb5bYwWJJcJOjEALjRPDU9U6sDzVvw42TrnLyRnjI0RRAy-~7pCjIKXYIzX41vECyZwIavZAdWVmLcfk6JHpFvquyI-piwOxW11VKLgX8klomA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lake County","date","2025-10-01T22:51:40Z","article","Lake County commissioners spent much of a work session reviewing possible legislative positions to bring to the Colorado Counties, Inc. (CCI) steering committee, centering on ways to address high vacancy rates and rising housing costs.

The board discussed two related proposals: a vacancy-focused approach and a real-estate transfer-fee measure being advanced by other counties. Commissioners said the housing shortage and large shares of empty homes are pressing local problems but disagreed about how best to respond. “The amount of empty houses sitting there…is the elephant in the room,” one commissioner said, urging the county to study options carefully rather than rush into legislation.

Why it matters: commissioners noted roughly 26% of homes in parts of the county are empty, a dynamic they linked to affordability and service revenue declines. The transfer-fee concept under consideration would authorize local governments to levy a fee on property transfers and could be structured with thresholds and a maximum cap; participants cited a draft measure that would allow local fees not to exceed 4 percent. Proponents said a local option could be tailored so it targets high-end or investor transactions while exempting small sellers or new construction.

Board members raised several concerns and possible guardrails. Multiple commissioners said any local tool should not deter new construction; one said an exemption for new homes “would be the last thing I want to do is see Colorado turn into California,” while another urged that new construction and accessory dwelling units be treated differently because they add supply. Several speakers favored putting a transfer fee or vacancy surcharge to a local vote so each county can choose its own thresholds.

The board also discussed alternative or complementary tools. Commissioners described tax-increment financing (TIF) as a revenue mechanism that can fund infrastructure and affordable housing without “robbing from Peter to pay Paul,” and several members urged incentives for builders (for instance temporary abatements for ADUs or expedited permits) instead of broad, across-the-board levies. Tiny homes, rezoning to allow smaller minimum lot sizes, and relaxed size minimums for starter units were mentioned as local regulatory levers.

Affordable-housing program design and permanence drew specific questions. The board reviewed deed-restriction issues raised by county staff: some deed restrictions created by DOLA-funded projects run 30 years, while others run “in perpetuity,” and commissioners asked whether a 30‑year restriction could revert a unit to market sale at expiration — a potential windfall that could undermine long-term affordability.

Several commissioners also cited litigation and constitutional constraints. Pitkin County’s transfer-fee push was noted as likely to require court resolution, and some members said that approach is intended to test limits under TABOR and other state constraints. Members agreed the process of building a defensible, coalition-backed bill would take multiple sessions of preparation and legal review and may take several years.

The conversation included concrete policy particulars and local-enforcement questions: how to verify primary residence versus seasonal occupancy; whether to base exemptions on voter registration or other residency markers; and who would administer and enforce any new program. Commissioners repeatedly urged the county attorney and local staff be involved early to flag legal pitfalls.

Ending: Commissioners did not take a formal vote; instead they asked staff to continue research, consult the county attorney, and coordinate with peers at CCI and other counties. Several said they will revisit the topic before the next legislative session and aim to craft local options that can be placed before voters if necessary.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Lake County CO 10.01.2025 BOCC Work Session","oneSentenceSummary","At a Lake County Board of County Commissioners work session, members discussed possible positions for the CCI steering committee on vacancy taxes, a proposed real-estate transfer-fee bill, deed restrictions and local tools such as TIFs, tiny homes and ADU incentives. Commissioners emphasized caution, local tailoring and exemptions for new housing.","taxTitle","Lake County, Colorado","taxId",27576,"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},6426871,"Commissioners oppose loosening state requirement that electrical inspectors be licensed electricians",116,2622000,2738000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5880119-ed4ef394a28428190faf186ef0c14414&start=2622&end=2738","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5880119-ed4ef394a28428190faf186ef0c14414/thumbnail_2622000.jpg","/articles/6426871/Lake-County/Colorado/Commissioners-oppose-loosening-state-requirement-that-electrical-inspectors-be-licensed-electricians","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6426871-52c56db44e8cf80be0922d1c5910bfb1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174876&Signature=nobUOu7vXUAJiAY5MoAbOaaHEGvFOrK4r45UPebUisYuT4mSMW3pEDp~LbhAhqw8rIgjvWXkZBsAwZ8txMH629z9s643x6GH~HApVPAvX2NW70y5YAnu45lUhoFxtqF~36n7jf-NGUpcPtqfM9lwE8aMeRyASXcyc2OFsQPJFWHmKLRPK-jm9yscCl6qJhPryBDHgE3bM6bnP4HBIusgIkIAmccMv1QLX7SjYRDM6vrTEkGJLKKWjM1U6YXEwWgJj646rS3B8gcuZgD77hcWi3WXn1L9XgeVXb5bcPf8OJwTnbOkZ8Rj6--tnoHYdFX34MdrGC~LR-4djOu~svr5iQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Commissioners discussed a proposal reported by a county manager from a rural county that would allow local governments to employ electrical inspectors who are not licensed electricians. The speaker said the state currently requires electrical inspectors to be licensed electricians and described the proposed change as a bad idea.

Why it matters: electrical safety is a public‑safety and liability issue, and some smaller counties say they struggle to recruit certified inspectors. Proponents of flexibility argued counties without local certified inspectors should be allowed to hire alternative inspectors; opponents responded that electricians and plumbers require licensing to protect safety and that local inspectors should meet high qualifications.

Board members expressed mixed views. One participant said smaller counties that lack master electricians on staff support flexibility; another said requiring master electricians for local inspectors is the right approach and compared the need for master plumbers as well. No formal position was adopted; a few commissioners said they would not vote for loosening the licensure requirement, while others signaled sympathy for smaller counties’ staffing challenges.

Ending: Commissioners signaled they would include an inspector‑licensing position among the CCI items they consider, and some expressed support for keeping the current licensure requirement in place.","Lake County commissioners reviewed a proposal to allow non‑licensed inspectors in small counties and largely opposed it, saying electrical inspections carry liability and should remain with qualified, licensed electricians.",{"_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},6426885,"Commissioners split over proposal to restrict sugary drinks, candy purchases on SNAP",337,423000,760000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5880119-ed4ef394a28428190faf186ef0c14414&start=423&end=760","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5880119-ed4ef394a28428190faf186ef0c14414/thumbnail_423000.jpg","/articles/6426885/Lake-County/Colorado/Commissioners-split-over-proposal-to-restrict-sugary-drinks-candy-purchases-on-SNAP","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6426885-3841666cb4009bdf89c31cbe72b06121/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174876&Signature=USVonjW6QvF4ue2YpWK6Hti6KOj~FawAzYuDzfFGEE8wlqdKpallhj77b2IapErEQr6LMGpJz84E2uTgW~89-la16EUk3MAoWRo1FYHM7oTrmDLtULokAq63VQWlNkEKIyG6kuri4Yve1yhrNU6INn7l4vajfPjiocDcKhcnUS6FreoAxtALTkZRlz3~pfNZq06l2VKFOTErBxGS7rAvH8TsdQ05iIjmQ-C2W1k8e8HeIRE6xkSApC8Yg0ojvfGOyAl7ntWK714hL1wF9koTBSVBc9R35aZCp3Qp-KLFkY~WY77D3DC2URi-oBSMwKkXv9E0pOJ1c3AJsFrQS5JvUg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lake County commissioners discussed whether to back an El Paso County proposal that would limit purchases of sugar‑sweetened beverages and candy with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.

At the work session, one commissioner said, “I don't want to regulate what poor people eat,” and described family experiences on SNAP to argue that limits can be punitive for recipients. Another commissioner said the board should at least carve out sodas and energy drinks: “My line would be soda,” they said, arguing these products are linked to long‑term health costs. Several commissioners said they are uncomfortable regulating consumption but acknowledged the public‑health arguments and fiscal consequences of diet‑related disease.

Why it matters: members noted SNAP is intended as supplemental nutrition, and some proposals have included sugar‑sweetened beverages and candy. Supporters argued that limiting purchases could reduce downstream health care costs paid by governments; opponents said such rules can be paternalistic and may create unintended consequences for those with medical needs (for example, hard candies used to address low blood sugar were raised as an implementation concern).

The board did not adopt a formal position. Several commissioners asked staff to consult the county medical director about potential disparate impacts — including on residents with diabetes — and to clarify administrability and technology or retailer‑level costs of restricting product categories.

Ending: Commissioners left the question open for further review, with direction to research public‑health evidence, enforcement costs and whether to recommend a narrow carve‑out (for example, sodas and energy drinks) if the board chooses to support restrictions.","Lake County commissioners debated whether to support a proposal limiting SNAP purchases of sugary drinks and candy. Some members argued the policy is paternalistic and harms low-income households; others supported carving out soda and energy drinks because of public‑health costs.",{"_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},6426858,"Board opposes AQCC Regulation 31 over unfunded mandate concerns for county landfills",85,945000,1030000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5880119-ed4ef394a28428190faf186ef0c14414&start=945&end=1030","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5880119-ed4ef394a28428190faf186ef0c14414/thumbnail_945000.jpg","/articles/6426858/Lake-County/Colorado/Board-opposes-AQCC-Regulation-31-over-unfunded-mandate-concerns-for-county-landfills","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6426858-3a3ef12138e7a197f5dc7595dad29023/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174876&Signature=IGSeAkWAhOgK7WsHeJ8WnuxxpGV2z-Jq3XruBrhRH5MHA1TWUIU6sbUpu0WfGbY5Pg~tardmZ3yJj3HdAqi5z5dHsUe5nrFfWunZwrinhsNPi3CRaJSqJjSfWrdy9iwo4EM-9OMZjHx-9wbS3IHj6G-A9ypgBw~SsM-8Vev7rirBaYvNu-wQrHhi8TVZ1aRgc-hRzwKtIWbsVo0ay30jEtH~x~FS0-RF6QiiI1F3eCJZgyhVLroHmmNxdwfxlfJeePf1-6maU2rNPuQYD2Gd-XtMRoqkfGhAqhjtvmPYviA0AYy7W1IJh1rxtDgy7uEXRwMH4NrmqD-TUScr9EnNAw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Commissioners briefly discussed AQCC Regulation 31, an air‑quality administrative rule that board members flagged as an unfunded mandate that could affect county landfills.

One commissioner said the first words of the rule suggest an unfunded mandate and argued the county cannot be told to do more without funding. “It's unfunded mandate,” a participant said, adding that administrative rulemaking that increases county responsibilities without state dollars is problematic. Another commissioner agreed: “We cannot be told to do more with no money.”

Why it matters: county landfills and solid‑waste operations are capital‑ and labor‑intensive; new state regulatory obligations could require capital upgrades, staffing changes or additional operational costs that counties must absorb or pass on to residents.

Ending: Commissioners agreed the county should oppose the rule on the grounds that it imposes unfunded obligations and asked that opposition be included among CCI positions.","Lake County commissioners said they oppose AQCC Regulation 31 because it could impose unfunded requirements that make operating county landfills difficult or impossible without state funding.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Lake County commissioners debate vacancy taxes, transfer fee proposals and local housing tools

Commissioners oppose loosening state requirement that electrical inspectors be licensed electricians

Commissioners split over proposal to restrict sugary drinks, candy purchases on SNAP

Board opposes AQCC Regulation 31 over unfunded mandate concerns for county landfills