HomeMy WebLinkAboutEagle County TABOR Notice 2024 General Election (1)1
TO: ALL REGISTERED VOTERSNOTICE OF ELECTION TO INCREASE TAXES / INCREASE DEBT AND / OR REFERRED MEASURES
COORDINATED ELECTION OFFICIAL: Regina O’Brien, Eagle County Clerk & Recorder
ELECTION DATE: Tuesday, November 5, 2024
ELECTION DAY HOURS: 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
ELECTION BY MAIL BALLOT: Mail ballots for the General Election must be received by the Eagle County Clerk & Recorder’s Office or in any Colorado county clerk-
controlled ballot box by 7:00 p.m. on Election Day.
ELECTION OFFICE: Eagle County Clerk & Recorder, 500 Broadway, PO Box 537, Eagle, CO 81631
TELEPHONE: 970-328-8715
WEBSITE: www.eaglecounty.us/vote
E-MAIL ADDRESS: elections@eaglecounty.us
This Ballot Issue Notice was prepared in accordance with Article X, Section 20 of the Colorado Constitution and the Colorado Uniform Election Code of 1992, as
amended. The information contained in this Notice was prepared by persons required by law to provide summaries of the comments and the fiscal information. The
Eagle County Clerk & Recorder’s Office does not warrant, verify or confirm the accuracy or truth of the ballot issue language, fiscal information or comment summaries
as presented below, nor is it responsible for errors in spelling, grammar, or punctuation of the materials presented below. For further information or clarification
concerning any of the following ballot issues, please contact the respective Designated Election Official/Local Election Office as indicated.
The Coordinated Election Official is not responsible for failure to meet the Article X, Section 20 constraints if the political subdivision fails to submit the notice and
summaries within the deadline and in the form required by the Coordinated Election Official.
Most of the following ballot issues will not be on your ballot. Ballot issue(s) will only be on your ballot if you reside within that jurisdiction. Visit www.govotecolorado.gov
to check the jurisdictions in which you reside.
Town of Gypsum Ballot Issue 2A
To: ALL REGISTERED VOTERS
NOTICE OF ELECTION TO INCREASE TAXES ON A REFERRED MEASURE
TOWN OF GYPSUM, EAGLE COUNTY, COLORADO
Local Election Office Address and Telephone Number:
Becky Close, Town Clerk
Town of Gypsum
50 Lundgren Blvd.
Gypsum, CO 81637
Telephone: 970-524-1738
Election Date: November 5, 2024
Election Hours: 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Town of Gypsum Ballot Issue 2A
SHALL TOWN OF GYPSUM TAXES BE INCREASED $198,000 ANNUALLY
BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2025, AND BY SUCH AMOUNTS AS ARE RAISED
ANNUALLY THEREAFTER, BY A LODGING TAX IN THE AMOUNT OF 3%
OF THE PURCHASE PRICE FOR LODGING WITHIN THE TOWN, AND
CONTINUING UNTIL REPEALED BY ORDINANCE, IN CONFORMANCE WITH
ORDINANCE NO. 08 (SERIES 2024); THE REVENUE FROM SUCH TAX TO BE
USED EXCLUSIVELY TO PAY FOR:
• CAPITAL COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH ROADS, PARKS AND RECREATION
FACILITIES MAINTAINED BY THE TOWN;
• SPECIAL EVENTS SPONSORED, FUNDED, OR ASSISTED BY THE TOWN;
AND
• SUCH OTHER USES AS DETERMINED REASONABLE AND NECESSARY
BY THE TOWN COUNCIL;
SUCH LODGING TAX REVENUES AND THE EARNINGS FROM THE
INVESTMENT OF SUCH REVENUES TO BE COLLECTED, RETAINED AND
SPENT AS A VOTER -APPROVED REVENUE CHANGE WITHOUT
CONTRACTUAL, STATUTORY OR CONSTITUTIONAL LIMITATION OR
CONDITION, INCLUDING LOCAL INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENTS,
ARTICLE X, SECTION 20 OF THE COLORADO CONSTITUTION OR ANY
OTHER LAW?
_____YES/FOR _____NO/AGAINST
Total District Fiscal Year Spending:
2024 (estimated) $18,217,539
2023 (actual) $16,632,729
2022 (actual) $16,426,125
2021 (actual) $14,983,791
2020 (actual) $10,859,449
Overall percentage change from 2020 to 2024: 59.6%
Overall dollar change from 2020 to 2024: $7,358,090
Proposed District Tax Increase:
Estimated first full fiscal year maximum dollar amount of
increase: $198,000
Estimated first full fiscal year spending without the
increase: $16,362,207
Summary of Written Comments FOR Ballot Issue 2A:
Generate Revenue Without Burdening Residents
A lodging tax targets visitors who stay in local hotels, motels, or short-term rentals
allowing for improvements in the town, using funds sourced from outside the
community. This revenue can be used to improve local infrastructure, such as
roads, public parks, community centers, and recreational facilities. It can also
support essential services like public safety, sanitation, and cultural events, while
funding beautification projects that benefit both residents and visitors.
Summary of Written Comments AGAINST Ballot Issue 2A:
No comments were filed by the constitutional deadline.
Town of Minturn Ballot Issue 2B: Excise Tax Increase on Short Term Rental Lodging
To: ALL REGISTERED VOTERS
NOTICE OF ELECTION TO INCREASE TAXES ON A REFERRED MEASURE
TOWN OF MINTURN, EAGLE COUNTY, COLORADO
Local Election Office Address and Telephone Number:
Town of Minturn
Jay Brunvand, Designated Election Official and Town Clerk
302 Pine St.
Minturn, CO 81645
Telephone: 970-827-5645 Ext. 1
Election Date: November 5, 2024
Election Hours: 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
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Town of Minturn Ballot Issue 2B: Lodging Tax Increase
SHALL THE TOWN OF MINTURN EXCISE TAXES ON SHORT TERM RENTALS
BE INCREASED NOT MORE THAN $1.5 MILLION COMMENCING JANUARY
1, 2025, AND BY WHATEVER AMOUNTS AS ARE GENERATED ANNUALLY
THEREAFTER BY IMPOSITION OF A TOWN SHORT TERM RENTAL TAX IN
THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF 6.5% (THE EXISTING 1.5% LODGING TAX PLUS A
NEW 5% TAX), ON THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF RENT OR COMPENSATION PAID
BY PERSONS RENTING ROOMS OR ACCOMMODATIONS FOR A PERIOD
OF THIRTY (30) DAYS OR LESS, BUT NOT INCLUDING HOTELS/MOTELS,
HOTEL/MOTEL-SUITE, BED AND BREAKFAST, DORMITORY, AND SHALL
SUCH TAX REVENUES RECEIVED ANNUALLY BE USED FOR COMMUNITY
PROJECTS AND SERVICES ADDRESSING VISITOR IMPACTS IN THE AREAS
OF RECREATION, PUBLIC SAFETY, STREET IMPROVEMENTS, PARKING
IMPROVEMENTS, CHILD CARE, COMMUNITY HOUSING, AND ANY OTHER
CAPITAL PURPOSES, AS HEREAFTER DETERMINED BY THE TOWN
COUNCIL; PROVIDED THAT THE COUNCIL SHALL ADOPT AN ORDINANCE
TO IMPLEMENT THE TAX INCREASE AS PROVIDED IN THIS QUESTION
(INCLUDING PROVISIONS FOR THE METHOD OF COLLECTION AND
ENFORCEMENT, ANY EXEMPTIONS FROM THE TAX, AND OTHER DETAILS)
AND MAY ADJUST THE RATE OF THE SHORT TERM RENTAL TAX FROM
TIME TO TIME SO LONG AS IT DOES NOT EXCEED 6.5%; AND SHALL THE
TOWN BE AUTHORIZED TO COLLECT, RETAIN AND SPEND SUCH EXCISE
TAX REVENUES, INCLUDING ANY INVESTMENT EARNINGS AND INTEREST
ON SUCH REVENUES, AS A VOTER APPROVED REVENUE CHANGE UNDER
ARTICLE X, SECTION 20, OF THE COLORADO CONSTITUTION OR ANY
OTHER LAW?
_____YES/FOR _____NO/AGAINST
Total Town Fiscal Year Spending
Fiscal Year
2024 (estimated) $2,968,813
2023 (actual) $2,453,663
2022 (actual) $2,519,278
2021 (actual) $2,214,415
2020 (actual) $1,931,895
Overall percentage change from 2020 to 2024 34.93%
Overall dollar change from 2020 to 2024 $1,036,918
Proposed Tax Increase
Town Estimate of the Maximum Dollar Amount of the Proposed Tax Increase
For Fiscal Year 2025 (the First Full Fiscal Year of the Proposed Tax Increases):
BALLOT ISSUE 2B $50,000
Town Estimate of 2025 Fiscal Year Spending Without Proposed Tax Increases:
$3,169,168
Summary of Written Comments FOR Ballot Issue 2B:
No comments were filed by the constitutional deadline.
Summary of Written Comments AGAINST Ballot Issue 2B:
No comments were filed by the constitutional deadline.
Town of Avon Ballot Issue 2C: Use Tax on New Construction to Fund Community Housing
To: ALL REGISTERED VOTERS
NOTICE OF ELECTION TO INCREASE TAXES ON A REFERRED MEASURE
TOWN OF AVON, EAGLE COUNTY, COLORADO
Local Election Office Address and Telephone Number:
Miguel Jauregui Casanueva
Town Clerk
100 Mikaela Way/P.O. Box 975
Avon, CO 81620
Telephone: 970-748-4001
mjauregui@avon.org
Election Date: November 5, 2024
Election Hours: 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Town of Avon Ballot Issue 2C: Use Tax On New Construction To Fund
Community Housing
SHALL THE TOWN OF AVON’S TAXES BE INCREASED BY FOUR MILLION
DOLLARS ($4,000,000) IN THE FIRST YEAR 2025, AND BY WHATEVER
ADDITIONAL AMOUNTS ARE RAISED ANNUALLY THEREAFTER, BY THE
IMPOSITION OF A FOUR PERCENT (4%) USE TAX FOR THE PRIVILEGE OF
USING OR CONSUMING IN THE TOWN ANY CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS;
AND SHALL SUCH USE TAX REVENUES BE APPROPRIATED FOR
COMMUNITY HOUSING; AND SHALL CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS EQUAL
TO OR LESS THAN $125,000 IN CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS BE EXEMPT
FROM PAYING THE USE TAX; ALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH, AND FURTHER
DEFINED BY, TOWN OF AVON ORDINANCE NO. 24-12; AND SHALL THE
REVENUES COLLECTED FROM SUCH TAX AND ANY EARNINGS FROM
THE INVESTMENT OF SUCH REVENUES BE COLLECTED AND SPENT AS A
VOTER APPROVED REVENUE CHANGE AND AN EXCEPTION TO THE LIMITS
WHICH WOULD OTHERWISE APPLY UNDER ARTICLE X, SECTION 20 OF
THE COLORADO CONSTITUTION OR ANY OTHER LAW?
_____ YES/FOR _____ NO/AGAINST
Fiscal Year Spending Information:
2024 (estimated) $44,765,362
2023 (actual) $37,683,657
2022 (actual) $36,707,154
2021 (actual) $32,669,324
2020 (actual) $27,655,006
Overall percentage change from 2020 to 2024: 61%
Overall dollar change from 2020 to 2024: $17,110,356
Estimated 2024 tax increase authorized by
Ballot Issue 2C: $4,000,000
Estimated 2025 fiscal year spending without taking into account the
tax increase authorized by Ballot Issue 2C: $ 44,765,362
Summary of Written Comments FOR Ballot Issue 2C:
The revenues from the Use Tax will be pledged to Community Housing projects,
including affordable housing, workforce housing and buyer assistance funds
for all income levels. The 4% Use Tax will replace the existing 4% Sales Tax
on construction materials and will improve collection of all amounts due. Vail,
Minturn, Eagle and Gypsum have already adopted a similar Use Tax. The Use
Tax will NOT apply to Community Housing development projects in Avon. Avon’s
Use Tax will exempt home remodel projects that use less than $125,000 in
construction materials. The Use Tax would enable the Town of Avon to collect
more revenues from large luxury condominium and hotel projects to be used to
build more Community Housing projects for locals. Vote yes on Ballot Issue 2C.
Summary of Written Comments AGAINST Ballot Issue 2C:
No comments were filed by the constitutional deadline.
Eagle River Fire Protection District Ballot Issue 6A
To: ALL REGISTERED VOTERS
NOTICE OF ELECTION TO INCREASE TAXES ON A REFERRED MEASURE
EAGLE RIVER FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT, EAGLE COUNTY, COLORADO
Local Election Office Address and Telephone Number:
Kristen Nash
Designated Election Official
Eagle River Fire Protection District
1050 Edwards Village Blvd./PO Box 2942
Edwards, CO 81632
970-748-4731 direct
Election Date: November 5, 2024
Election Hours: 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
3
Eagle River Fire Protection District Ballot Issue 6A
SHALL EAGLE RIVER FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT SALES TAXES BE
INCREASED $6.8 MILLION IN THE FIRST FULL FISCAL YEAR AND BY
WHATEVER ADDITIONAL AMOUNTS ARE RAISED ANNUALLY THEREAFTER
BY THE IMPOSITION OF A SALES TAX BEGINNING JULY 1, 2025 NOT
TO EXCEED 0.79% (79 CENTS ON EACH $100 DOLLARS IN TAXABLE
PURCHASE), UPON EVERY TRANSACTION IN THE DISTRICT UPON WHICH
THE STATE IMPOSES A SALES TAX, EXCLUDING GROCERIES AND OTHER
EXEMPT ITEMS, FOR THE PURPOSES OF:
• MAINTAINING FIRE EQUIPMENT TO EXTEND THEIR USEFUL LIFE AND
REPLACING FIREFIGHTING VEHICLES WHEN NECESSARY
• INVESTING IN UP-TO-DATE FIREFIGHTER SAFETY GEAR TO PROTECT
OUR EMERGENCY PERSONNEL AND ENSURE THEY ARE PREPARED TO
RESPOND TO ANY TYPE OF EMERGENCY
• UPGRADING WILDLAND FIREFIGHTING EQUIPMENT
• PROVIDING ADEQUATE STAFFING TO ADDRESS INCREASING
EMERGENCY CALL VOLUME
• IMPROVING AND EQUIPPING CURRENT AND FUTURE FIRE STATIONS TO
MAINTAIN PROMPT RESPONSE TIMES
SUCH SALES TAX REVENUES AND THE EARNINGS FROM THE
INVESTMENT OF SUCH REVENUES TO BE COLLECTED, RETAINED
AND SPENT AS A VOTER-APPROVED REVENUE CHANGE WITHOUT
CONTRACTUAL, STATUTORY OR CONSTITUTIONAL LIMITATION OR
CONDITION, INCLUDING LOCAL INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENTS,
ARTICLE X, SECTION 20 OF THE COLORADO CONSTITUTION OR ANY
OTHER LAW?
_____ YES/FOR _____ NO/AGAINST
Total District Fiscal Year Spending:
2024 (estimated) $14,507,222
2023 (actual) $12,164,746
2022 (actual) $10,755,743
2021 (actual) $10,351,382
2020 (actual) $10,332,106
Overall percentage change from 2020 to 2024: 40.41%
Overall dollar change from 2020 to 2024: $4,175,116
Proposed District Tax Increase:
Estimated first full fiscal year maximum dollar amount of increase: $20,091,210
Estimated first full fiscal year spending without the increase: $13,291,210
Summary of Written Comments FOR Ballot Issue 6A:
Voting Yes on 6A will allow Eagle River Fire Protection District (ERFPD) to
maintain critical fire protection services so our community can count on its fire and
emergency services when an emergency happens. 6A will provide sustainable
funding to ensure that our community’s firefighters are safe and well-equipped and
that ERFPD can quickly respond to emergencies by:
• Maintaining fire equipment to extend useful life and replacing firefighting
vehicles when necessary;
• Investing in up-to-date firefighter safety gear to protect emergency personnel
and ensure they are prepared to respond to any type of emergency;
• Upgrading wildland firefighting equipment to help prevent and address growing
wildfire risk;
• Providing adequate staffing to address increasing emergency call volume; and
• Improving and equipping current and future fire stations to maintain prompt
response times.
6A is a 0.79 percent sales tax (79 cents on a $100 purchase) that will provide
sustainable funding for emergency services. Seeking a sales tax, instead of
a property tax, will ensure that tourists and visitors provide funding for the
emergency services they use. About 50 percent of sales taxes in Eagle County
are paid by visitors. ERFPD’s proposed sales tax would not be added to
groceries and prescriptions and would not impact property taxes for residents and
businesses in the District.
Several factors are putting a strain on the District’s budget and require additional
revenue to maintain current service levels that the community expects. Those
factors include:
• A 24 percent increase in service calls since 2019 as the District’s population
and visitation has significantly increased.
• An aging population and more residents retiring “in-place.” Statistics show that
people 65 and older are far more likely to need emergency services and be
impacted by a fire in their homes.
• Significant increases in operational costs—including staffing, fuel, vehicle
maintenance, and equipment updates—that are even higher than recent record
inflation rates.
• Growing wildfire risk. A 2022 study found Eagle County had 24,048 homes
at risk to wildfire, surpassed only by El Paso County at 38,560. But El Paso
County has 80 fire stations with a protection ratio of 486 homes per station,
while Eagle County has only 10 stations and a protection ratio of 2,405 homes
per station.
Without additional funding, ERFPD may need to use its emergency reserve
starting in 2026 for general operations. The emergency reserve is meant to
respond to major disasters like a wildfire or to backfill the District’s operations
during an economic downturn similar to the 2008 recession. The District’s reserve
was never intended to sustain day-to-day operations.
The other option would be to “diminish and suspend” operations to stay within its
current funding. This could mean reducing engine company staffing, periodically
closing stations, delaying response times, and suspending equipment and engine
replacements—even if required by age and condition. This would likely mean
decreased service levels and increases in response times to emergencies.
This is not the level of service we want for our community. Let’s support our
firefighters and local Fire District. Please vote YES on 6A!
Summary of Written Comments AGAINST Ballot Issue 6A:
No comments were filed by the constitutional deadline.
END OF BALLOT ISSUE NOTICE
The information contained in this notice was prepared by persons
required by law to provide summaries of ballot issues and fiscal
information.
As required by Colorado Revised Statutes (C.R.S. § 1-7-905),
I hereby certify the ballot issue notice is complete as submitted by
the political subdivision.
Regina O’Brien
Eagle County Clerk & Recorder
TO: ALL REGISTERED VOTERS ELECTION MATERIALRETURN SERVICE REQUESTEDRegina O’BrienEagle County Clerk and RecorderP.O. Box 537Eagle, CO 81631«NAME»«ADDR»«CSZ»NONPROFIT ORGU.S. POSTAGE PAIDGLENWOOD SPGS COPERMIT NO. 22Eagle County
NOTICE OF ELECTION TO INCREASE TAXES / INCREASE DEBT
AND / OR REFERRED MEASURES
THIS PAMPHLET CONTAINS INFORMATION ON BALLOT ISSUES AS REQUIRED BY THE COLORADO
CONSTITUTION, ARTICLE X, SECTION 20 FOR LOCAL ISSUES.
A “YES” vote on any ballot issue is a vote in favor of changing current law or existing circumstances, and a “NO” vote
on any ballot issue is a vote against changing current law or existing circumstances.
The last day for voting is
November 5, 2024, (7:00 p.m.)
Election Day.
