Chaffee County commissioners voted Aug. 19 to advance a proposed lodging-tax increase to the Nov. 2025 ballot, directing staff to notify the county clerk and proceed with related planning. Commissioners amended the motion to include approval of draft ballot language captured in resolution 2025-33 and approved it by voice vote.

Commissioners framed the measure as one of the limited local tools available to address infrastructure and service shortfalls. Speakers on the board noted that existing state and federal revenue streams are constrained while county road and emergency-response costs rise. County leaders said the lodging tax proceeds would be allocated to county road and bridge maintenance, public safety (fire, EMS, sheriff), and community needs including affordable housing and childcare, with a share returned to municipalities to use on similar priorities.

"We have to get creative to continue to support our community with the services and the commodities you need," one commissioner said during debate, noting that tourism-related taxes are paid by visitors and would help fund local infrastructure.

What passed: the board approved a motion to notify the clerk of intent to pursue a lodging-tax ballot measure under the authority of HB 25-1247 and added an amendment to take action on the draft rate resolution (Res. 2025-33) included in the meeting packet. The motion passed on an oral "Aye" vote. The board directed staff to continue research and planning and to proceed with statutory steps to place the measure on the November ballot.

Why it matters: commissioners said lodging-tax proceeds would give the county and its municipal partners a locally controlled revenue source that can be targeted at roads and public-safety services that have been stretched by tourism and growth. Opponents of new taxes often object to rate increases; commissioners acknowledged that raising taxes is unpopular but said targeted revenues for critical services represent a pragmatic response to limited state and federal funding.

Next steps: staff will provide follow-up materials and coordinate with the county clerk on ballot timing, final language, and intergovernmental allocation formulas for any shares to be distributed to municipalities.