Colorado mountain towns, including ours here in Chaffee County and the Central Mountains, are facing a persistent housing affordability crisis that is challenging local residents’ ability to live, work and play here.
In response to this crisis, a group of individuals and organizations have coalesced to place two initiatives on this fall’s ballot:
6A – 0.5% County-Wide Sales Tax
This measure proposes a 0.5% county-wide sales tax increase that will sunset after 12 years. The proposed sales tax would cost an extra $0.05 on every $10 spent within the county, ensuring that visitors also contribute to the housing initiatives, alleviating the financial burden on local residents.
6B – Debrucing Measure to Retain All Revenues
The second measure, commonly referred to as “debrucing,” will allow the Chaffee Housing Authority to retain all revenues it receives from state grants and local governments. This measure, which does not involve raising taxes, and would not prevent any tax refund, is crucial for supporting key projects like the construction of Jane’s Place, Salida’s transitional housing project. Debrucing will enable CHA to fully utilize funds to expand housing opportunities and secure additional grant funding, ensuring the continued success of its initiatives.
To further illuminate this effort – and community concerns about it—we convened two industry leaders, one in support and one opposed, to further explore the housing situation and these related ballot initiatives.
Rob Gartzman and Vince Phillips at Heart of the Rockies Radio News’ Studio
