Local ski groups and residents urge 10% facility fee to fund Hogadon chairlift repairs

At the July 15 City of Casper council meeting, members of a volunteer task force, ski-patrol leaders and local users urged councilors to support a proposed 10% facility fee on Hogadon lift users to help fund a replacement or repair of the mountain’s chairlift.

Supporters said the fee would show local “skin in the game,” help leverage grants and private donations, and address what they called a safety risk if the lift fails during a season. "It helps our alpine ski programs ... and it makes Casper a better place to live during the long winter months," Bill DeGraves, director of Casper Mountain Ski Patrol and chairman of the Lift Casper task force, told the council. Nick McNamee, who described himself as a member of the Hougadon Lift Task Force, said the fee would allow the volunteer group to "seek loans, seek grants, and also advocate strongly for donors." Joe Nicholas, a Casper Mountain Racers board member and Hogadon user, said, "I really view it as a as a safety issue."

Why this matters: supporters told the council that a failed lift during the ski season could strand children and other riders, require lengthy evacuations and threaten the viability of high-school ski programs that rely on regular access. Speakers argued a user fee dedicated to capital needs would both reduce the city’s up-front burden and make private fundraising easier.

Supporters asked the council to consider the fee structure alongside an upcoming public packet that will show proposed rate changes. McNamee and DeGraves encouraged councilors to review the proposed schedule and provide feedback; Councilor Sweeney asked the task force to comment on the full rate packet when it is released.

Council action: the item was presented during public comment and the meeting’s pre-meeting discussion; no council ordinance or vote on the 10% facility fee was recorded during this session. Several councilors—among them Councilor Sweeney and Councilor Gamroth—expressed appreciation for public comment and acknowledged the lift’s role in community livability and recruitment. Councilors also noted the failed 1¢/6¢ tax measures discussed previously and said they would continue to consider funding options.

Context and next steps: supporters asked staff to include proposed rate details in an upcoming packet and requested the task force provide recommendations about preseason passes and pricing. Councilors asked that the task force submit written feedback when the formal rate schedule is released so council can consider technical recommendations alongside public input. The council did not adopt any new fees or directives at the July 15 meeting.

Less critical detail: speakers also framed the lift as an economic-development amenity that helps attract young professionals and supports local recreation programs. Task-force members offered to assist in fundraising and to provide additional detail about preseason pass structures when asked.