Yampa Valley voters are poised to make big decisions this Tuesday on issues that hit close to home, ranging from a new lodging tax in rural communities to a tax increase for the South Routt Medical District, to the formation of a long-awaited regional transportation authority. 

Ballot measure 1A: Formation of the Yampa Valley Regional Transportation Authority

A major question on the ballots for voters in Steamboat, unincorporated Routt County, Hayden, Oak Creek, Yampa and Craig asks whether to form the Yampa Valley Regional Transportation Authority, which aims to connect communities across the valley through expanded public transit options. 

The main goal of the RTA is to improve bus service between communities, add new local routes and make public transportation more reliable and accessible for residents, workers and visitors.

A top objective is the introduction of fixed-route bus service on Colorado Highway 131 between Steamboat, Oak Creek and Yampa. 

Plans also include establishing a new local circulator bus route within Craig, ground transportation options to and from the Yampa Valley Regional Airport and creating park-and-ride lots for commuters accessing both the U.S. Highway 40 bus route and other new routes.

Steamboat Ski & Resort Corp. has agreed to contribute $1 million per year for three years to help jumpstart the transportation authority, if passed by voters — a significantly shorter commitment than the original 20-year pledge discussed earlier this year. 

While a tax question could possibly appear on future ballots for jurisdictions that approve the RTA’s formation, the 2025 ballot initiative does not ask for voter funding, but instead asks whether voters are interested in the establishment of an RTA at all.

Routt County ballot measure 1B: Lodging excise tax

Voters in unincorporated Routt County, Oak Creek and Yampa will decide whether to agree to a 6% lodging tax levied on rentals of fewer than 30 consecutive days, such as hotels and motels, short-term rentals, bed-and-breakfasts, private campgrounds and RV/trailer parks not located on public lands, and timeshares, among other temporary accommodations.

The proposed tax would not apply to Steamboat and Hayden, which already have implemented voter-approved short-term lodging taxes.

If passed, the tax is anticipated to generate around $821,000 per year in revenue. State law requires that 10% of collected revenue must be dedicated to tourism advertising and marketing, which commissioners have considered using to support destination stewardship efforts. 

The remaining 90% of the yearly funds would be directed toward community needs such as infrastructure improvements and enhancing public safety through local police, fire personnel and emergency medical services. 

While individuals staying in applicable rentals would be charged the lodging tax, the property owner would be responsible for making sure the tax is collected from renters and submitted to the state each quarter, as required by law. 

Local residents would only pay the tax if they book short-term lodging themselves in unincorporated Routt County, Oak Creek or Yampa.

Ballot measure 5A: South Routt School District tax extension

Voters in the South Routt School District are being asked whether to renew and slightly adjust the district’s existing mill levy override originally approved in 2014, which funds competitive salaries for teachers and support staff. 

This measure does not raise the current tax rate of 2.603 mills but extends the funding to sustain roughly $355,000 annually intended to help retain quality educators without increasing the tax burden on homeowners. 

The renewal switches from collecting a fixed dollar amount to levying a consistent mill rate, allowing the district to benefit from potential increases in property values.

Ballot measure 6A: South Routt Medical District tax increase

Voters within the South Routt Medical District, which follows the boundaries of the South Routt School District, will decide whether to increase the South Routt Medical Center ad valorem (according to value) property tax rate by 1.305 mills, which would raise the rate from 4.095 to 5.400 mills.

The increase would boost revenue by roughly $175,071 per year starting in 2026. The funds would support the medical center’s operations and core services including primary care, behavioral health, urgent care, lab services and telehealth.

The property tax increase would add approximately $47 annually on the bill for a home valued at $500,000 within the district and approximately $158 annually for a commercial property valued at $1 million.

Colorado Mountain College ballot measure 7C: Waiving of property tax limit

Voters in the local college district are being asked whether to restore Colorado Mountain College’s authority to waive a state-imposed 5.25% property tax revenue cap for a period of 10 years. This measure is not a new tax but reinstates funding flexibility previously approved by voters in 2018, which was limited by recent state legislation. 

The restored authority would help CMC’s continued investment in critical programs such as skilled trades training (including automotive, welding and construction), nursing and first responder education, and housing solutions aimed at retaining local talent.

Ballot info for voters

Election day is Tuesday, Nov. 4. 

The Steamboat voter service and polling center opened Oct. 27 and operates 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday through Nov. 3. It will also be open 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day.

Ballots can be returned at any of the following locations during regular business hours, and until 7 p.m. on Election Day:

• Hayden Town Hall — 178 W. Jefferson Ave.
• Oak Creek Town Hall — 129 Nancy Crawford Blvd.
• Yampa Town Hall — 101 Main St.
• Clark Store — 54175 Routt County Road 129
• Routt County Clerk and Recorder’s Office — 522 Lincoln Ave., Suite 21

Two 24-hour drop boxes are also available — one outside the Combined Law Enforcement Facility building at 2025 Shield Drive and another behind the courthouse at 522 Lincoln Ave. Both are under video surveillance. Ballots must be received by 7 p.m. on Election Day to be counted.

Voters are reminded to sign the return envelope, not the ballot itself, and only their own envelope. Anyone whose ballot signature is missing or doesn’t match will be contacted and may correct it within eight days after the election. Ballots not cured in time will be referred for investigation.

Initial election results will be posted on the Routt County website shortly after polls close at 7 p.m. Nov. 4, with an update released at 9 p.m. and another before the end of the night. Results will remain unofficial until auditing and canvassing are complete nine days after the election, when the final tally will be certified.

More election details, including sample ballots and voter instructions, are available inside the ballot envelope and on the Routt County elections page at co.routt.co.us/221/Elections.