Chaffee County commissioners signal intent to pursue lodging-tax expansion for roads and infrastructure

Chaffee County commissioners voted to inform the county clerk and to continue planning for a proposed lodging-tax expansion that could raise additional revenue for roads, infrastructure and visitor-related services.

Staff briefed the board on statutory references and procedural deadlines and said the proposal would follow a state-authorized ballot route. Commissioners discussed preserving existing allocations for the current 1.9% lodging tax and structuring the new incremental levy so that 10% of new proceeds would go to the existing lodging/visitors bureau as required by the statute cited in staff materials. Staff recommended developing an allocation model for the incremental revenue separate from the county’s existing lodging tax distribution.

Board members said the revenue could address road-and-bridge shortfalls and the rising cost of pavement and maintenance; they noted the county’s limited discretionary funding for transportation and that growth has increased maintenance needs. Staff said a formal resolution would be required by an August deadline for the clerk’s calendar and Blue Book materials.

Why it matters: commissioners said tourism-driven wear on county roads and growing maintenance costs make additional, visitor-paid revenue an important tool for infrastructure preservation. The board directed staff to continue research, draft needed materials and bring a formal resolution for consideration at a later meeting. The motion to notify the clerk and continue planning passed unanimously.