Grand County looks to attorney memo after state auditor questions TRT spending; trail-ambassador salaries focus of review

Grand County commissioners spent a large portion of a May 20 special workshop focused on compliance questions arising from a recent state audit and the upcoming July 1 changes to state law that affect how transient room tax (TRT) revenue may be spent.

The discussion centered on which TRT expenditures meet the statutory standard of "establishing and promoting" tourism, recreation, film production and conventions, and on several line items the county will likely need to justify or repay. County Attorney Steven Stocks told the commission he will prepare a written legal memorandum addressing past practice, the new law (House Bill 456) and how receipts collected before July 1 should be treated going forward. "My job is always to defend the county," Stocks said during the meeting.

Why it matters: the commission has already authorized multiple one‑time and ongoing expenditures tied to tourism and recreation funds, and the auditor has flagged some uses as questionable. Commissioners and staff said they want to ensure the county is in compliance before the new statutory framework takes effect July 1 and before the…