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Gunnison County Commissioners refer 0.50% sales‑tax ballot measure for roads and bridges
Summary
The Gunnison County Board unanimously approved resolutions to refer a countywide 0.50% sales tax to the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot, exempting residential utilities and most groceries, with an estimated first-year revenue of $3,388,719 to fund roads, bridges, transportation infrastructure and public safety.
The Gunnison County Board of County Commissioners on July 21 voted unanimously to refer a countywide 0.50% sales‑tax increase to the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot to finance roads, bridges, related transportation infrastructure and public safety. The measure, if approved by voters, would take effect Jan. 1, 2027, and the resolution estimates an initial fiscal‑year revenue increase of $3,388,719.
Assistant County Manager for Public Works Martin Schmidt framed the measure as a response to a growing backlog of deferred road and bridge maintenance. The board cited an independent 2025 engineering assessment finding that roughly 36% of county roads are in good condition and identified a $38 million backlog of deferred maintenance. County Attorney Matthew Hoyt advised that board members may advocate for the ballot so long as they do not expend more than $50 of public funds in campaigning, and confirmed staff may advocate on their own time. The board adopted two separate resolutions: Resolution 2026-26 (support) and Resolution 2026-27 (formal referral and ballot language).
The ballot question text certified by the Board states: "SHALL GUNNISON COUNTY TAXES BE INCREASED BY $3,388,719 ANNUALLY (ESTIMATED FIRST FISCAL YEAR DOLLAR INCREASE STARTING IN 2027), AND BY ANY ADDITIONAL AMOUNT AS MAY BE RAISED EACH YEAR THEREAFTER, THROUGH AN ADDITIONAL 0.50% (50 CENTS ON 100 DOLLARS) COUNTYWIDE SALES TAX TO COMMENCE ON JANUARY 1, 2027..." The resolutions direct the County Clerk to submit the item for the coordinated general election and require that revenues be accounted for separately and used only for the transportation and public‑safety purposes described in the ballot language.
The measure exempts residential utilities and most groceries, which the board said reduces impacts on essential household expenditures and increases contributions from discretionary spending and visitor activity. The Board encouraged registered electors to vote "YES" in Resolution 2026‑26. If approved, the county expects to use the revenue both for preventative pavement and bridge maintenance and to leverage matching grants. The County Clerk will provide required TABOR notices and, if approved, will coordinate with the Colorado Department of Revenue on implementation.
