County details lodging-tax reallocation that funds local housing and childcare programs

Clear Creek County commissioners described how the county has directed lodging-tax revenue toward housing and childcare as a measured response to local needs.

Commissioner George explained that Clear Creek levies a 2% lodging tax. Historically that tax was restricted to tourism marketing, but the state changed rules to allow counties to ask voters to broaden allowable uses. County voters approved using lodging-tax receipts for housing and childcare as well as tourism promotion.

Commissioner George and Commissioner Rebecca Lloyd said the county now splits lodging-tax revenue roughly in half: one half goes to tourism promotion, and the other half is split again, with portions designated for childcare and for housing. Commissioners noted the arrangement is multi-jurisdictional for housing: Idaho Springs, Georgetown, Silver Plume and Empire participate in a multi-jurisdictional housing authority funded in part by Clear Creek lodging taxes.

Why it matters: Commissioners said housing and childcare are two of the county's highest local needs. Because the county's general fund faces structural pressure, the dedicated lodging-tax stream has created a constrained but ongoing local funding source for these priorities without drawing on the general fund.

Clarifications: Roloff and commissioners framed the lodging-tax use as a voter-approved change; they said the lodging-tax modification was requested by counties and then approved by voters after the state gave counties authority to propose the change.

Ending: Commissioners said lodging-tax revenue has already been used to seed childcare scholarships this year and supports multi-jurisdictional housing work; further allocations will be informed by budget modeling and grant opportunities.