County and Grand Foundation flesh out guidelines for 'Community Priorities' lodging‑tax grants

Megan Ladin, executive director of the Grand Foundation, presented draft guidelines and a proposed timeline for the new Community Priorities fund, which will use 50% of the new lodging-tax revenues (the other 50% goes to tourism marketing). For 2025 the foundation proposed a single funding cycle with applications open Aug. 1–Sept. 5 and committee review in late September; staff recommended holding back 20% of revenues to build a fund balance for future years.

Commissioners focused on committee structure and conflict-of-interest safeguards. Two options were discussed: (1) one representative from each municipality plus an unincorporated-county representative, two Grand Foundation board members and a county representative; or (2) one appointee per commissioner district, two Grand Foundation board members and a county representative. Commissioners asked staff to return with written options next week and requested examples of eligible projects (transportation, park maintenance, childcare, housing) to clarify the broad statutory standard of "visitor experience." Ladin noted the estimated 2025 lodging-tax revenue available for grants would be roughly $500,000 and recommended a conservative approach for the program's first year.

Why this matters: the program will direct a new revenue stream toward locally chosen projects that can affect workforce housing, childcare and visitor-related infrastructure; committee composition and grant rules will determine how funds are prioritized and whether multi-year operating support is allowed. Commissioners asked for clearer examples and for staff to return with committee-structure recommendations at the next meeting.