Routt County commissioners used Monday’s work session to review progress on regional transit planning and the potential funding landscape under Colorado’s recently negotiated settlement funding, commonly referred to in the meeting as Senate Bill 230.

Commissioners said the Clean Transit Enterprise’s funding framework splits money three ways: roughly 70 percent for formula funding to existing transit agencies, 20 percent for rail efforts, and a 10 percent discretionary pot that can be associated with regional transportation authorities, according to an update from county staff who spoke with Craig Sechrist, executive director of the Clean Transit Enterprise.

“Whether it’s eligible before it’s formed or after it’s formed, we’re not really sure,” the county presenter said of discretionary funding for an RTA, adding that once an RTA is formally established it would likely qualify for formula funding as a transit agency.

The county also highlighted that the city of Steamboat Springs received an EIAS award for mountain‑rail station planning that will support station siting discussions. Commissioners said the mountain‑rail planning work could include two stops in the Steamboat area and that coordinating station planning with the ski area is part of the project.

Formation committee governance and public messaging

County staff reiterated that the RTA formation committee operates by consensus and recommended stronger processes for joint messaging and document sign‑off before materials bearing multiple jurisdictions’ logos are published. One commissioner asked staff to invite the Steamboat Springs City Council president to the formation committee to help ensure broader council engagement and consistent communications.

Funding strategy and sequencing

County presenters said the formation group is considering a phased approach: form the RTA and use start‑up funds, discretionary pots and local contributions (for example, ski‑area or short‑term‑rental revenue) to begin services without immediately pursuing a voter‑approved funding measure. Polling indicated mixed voter appetite for tax measures in 2025, so staff said 2025 might not be the right year to ask voters for a new permanent revenue source.

“It is because we do have the advantage of the fact that we have some start up monies, so we could actually start up, get formed, demonstrate some enhanced services before we even have to decide what future funding looks like,” the county presenter said.

Why it matters

If formed and properly funded, an RTA could make Routt County eligible for state formula funds and discretionary SB230 dollars and could coordinate transit and potential rail planning across multiple jurisdictions. Commissioners flagged governance, consistency of public messaging and timing relative to local election cycles as immediate concerns, and staff said they will continue outreach and coordination with the formation committee members.

Next steps

Staff will continue coordination with Clean Transit Enterprise contacts, track SB230 implementation and pursue additional outreach with the formation committee and member jurisdictions; commissioners did not take a formal vote on formation or funding during the work session.