Gilpin County commissioners voted Aug. 26 to refer a ballot question to the Nov. 4 general election asking unincorporated-county voters to approve an additional 4% lodging tax, which would raise the county’s maximum lodging tax to 6% if approved.

County attorney Messer and county staff said the proposed ballot language implements HB 25-1247 and an amendment to Colorado Revised Statute 30-11-107.5; the measure must be submitted to the registered electors and, under TABOR, put to a public vote. County Manager Ray Rears presented an estimate that the additional 4% could generate roughly $348,500 annually; combined with the existing 2% lodging tax the county now levies, total lodging-tax receipts would be approximately $522,750 under the projection provided in the board packet.

Under the proposal, 10% of any revenue would still be reserved for the Gilpin Advertising Panel as required by law. The proposed ballot question as presented to the board would dedicate the additional revenue “to support tourism and funding without limitation, public infrastructure maintenance improvements, housing and/or child care for the tourism-related workforce, and other workers in the community.”

Commissioners said prior uses of lodging-tax revenue included support for the local childcare center and fair expenses that otherwise would have come from the general fund. The board also noted that, if the measure is referred, county staff and officials will not spend county time or money to advocate for or against the ballot measure once it is placed on the ballot.

The motion to place the lodging tax question on the ballot passed by voice vote; the clerk and staff will transmit the certified ballot language to the County Clerk and Recorder for inclusion on the Nov. 4 ballot.

Ending: With the board’s approval, the lodging-tax increase will appear on the Nov. 4 ballot for registered voters in unincorporated Gilpin County. If voters approve it, the county will record and budget receipts and must comply with statutory earmarks including the Gilpin advertising panel set-aside.