By High Country Advocate Staff
The Buena Vista Board of Trustees met on October 14th for a full agenda that included discussion of Chaffee County’s proposed Ballot Issue 1A, a sales-tax-sharing request from Kroger, a presentation by Amazon about a proposed delivery station, the 2026 preliminary budget, and a contract award for the Parks, Recreation, Trails, and Open Space Master Plan.
The meeting opened with an executive session concerning short-term rental licensing regulations. Following that, the board heard an overview from Chaffee County officials on Ballot Issue 1A — a lodging-tax proposal that could reshape tourism-related funding across the Upper Arkansas Valley.
🏨 Chaffee County Ballot Issue 1A – Lodging Tax Increase
Chaffee County voters will decide in November whether to increase the existing 1.9% lodging tax by 4%, for a total of 5.9% countywide. The measure would generate an estimated $3.3 million annually, to be distributed among tourism promotion, public safety, infrastructure maintenance, and community services such as housing and childcare.
The current 1.9% tax, approved by voters in 1990, is dedicated solely to marketing through the Chaffee County Visitors Bureau. The new measure, made possible under a 2022 state law, would expand the allowable uses to include workforce support and community infrastructure.
Officials explained that the proposed revenue breakdown would dedicate:
• 50% to continued tourism and marketing,
• 35% to public infrastructure and maintenance, and
• 15% to public safety and community support programs.
It was emphasized that the increase would apply to visitors, not residents, and would keep Chaffee County’s total lodging tax rate roughly in line with neighboring high-country counties such as Eagle and Summit.
Trustees noted that local tourism has created significant strain on emergency services and infrastructure. The additional revenue, they agreed, could help stabilize local budgets without burdening full-time residents. Questions were raised about whether the county conducted any polling or public outreach before placing the measure on the ballot. County staff confirmed that no formal survey had been conducted, but public feedback was collected during prior planning meetings.
Seven other Colorado counties are pursuing similar ballot initiatives this year, though none have yet published post-election data. The board took no formal position, leaving the matter for voters to decide in the November election.
🏪 Kroger / City Market Sales-Tax-Sharing Proposal and Public Comments
The board then turned to Kroger’s request for a sales-tax-sharing agreement connected to its proposed new City Market store. The project represents a $30 million investment, but Kroger has stated that it needs roughly $1.6 million in shared sales-tax revenue to offset project costs.
The discussion drew a large public turnout, with residents speaking both for and against the proposal.
Cindy Knoll submitted a letter to the board opposing the incentive, describing it as a “tax write-off for a corporation that earned $150 million last year.” Knoll argued that Buena Vista taxpayers should not subsidize a national chain, particularly when small businesses have faced years of rising costs and limited town support.
Dennis Heap opposed the plan, stating that Kroger should “live within its means” rather than seek subsidies. He urged trustees to prioritize local infrastructure and services before offering tax breaks to corporations.
Jeremy Lane, a town resident, said he supports a larger City Market to serve the growing population but cannot support the inclusion of a gas station. He noted that the town’s comprehensive plan discourages big-box and highway-oriented retail, warning that such additions could erode Buena Vista’s small-town character.
Paul Andrews encouraged the board to negotiate but to do so narrowly. He suggested any rebate should be limited to infrastructure improvements—such as turn lanes, signal upgrades, or utility connections—rather than general sales-tax revenue sharing. Andrews supported continued talks but urged the town to “keep control of the deal, not hand it away.”
Jack Jones expressed appreciation for the board’s transparency but asked that Buena Vista’s charm and scale remain intact. “We want growth that still feels like Buena Vista,” he said, warning that national retailers could change the town’s community fabric.
Blaine Clark, a retired CPA who lives just outside town limits, said he had seen many cities struggle with development incentives. He recommended attaching clear performance milestones and claw-back provisions if projected sales or community benefits fail to materialize.
While most speakers opposed or questioned the rebate, several acknowledged that the current City Market is undersized and lacks adequate parking and accessibility. Some argued that the project would help meet local demand and bring additional jobs.
Following public comment, trustees emphasized that no decision was being made that night. They directed staff to continue negotiating in good faith with Kroger representatives but stressed that any agreement would require further public input and a formal vote at a later date. The board entered an executive session to discuss the town’s negotiating position.
🚚 Amazon Delivery-Station Proposal
Representatives from Amazon presented plans for a delivery-station-plus facility on approximately 10 acres near South Railroad Street, carved from a 30-acre parcel currently in unincorporated Chaffee County. The company intends to annex and rezone the site into Buena Vista.
The facility would employ about 25 full-time and 40 part-time associates, along with roughly 25 Flex drivers, operating fewer than 20 delivery vans per day. Deliveries would stage between 2:00 and 6:00 a.m. to avoid morning congestion on Highway 285.
Mayor Libby Fay asked about the potential property-tax benefits of annexation and coordination with the U.S. Postal Service. Trustee Andrew Rice raised questions about additional road maintenance costs and whether annexation revenues would offset them. Trustee Cindie Swisher expressed concern about truck movements overlapping with school traffic, to which Amazon representatives replied that deliveries would begin before classes start.
Amazon described its commitment to local hiring, day-one healthcare benefits, and tuition-support programs. The company said it partners with 8,500 small Colorado businesses through its logistics network.
Trustees responded positively to Amazon’s engagement but asked for continued outreach to nearby residents and schools as planning advances. No vote was taken, as the presentation was for information only.
💰 2026 Budget and Parks Plan
Town Treasurer Phillip Puckett presented the 2026 preliminary budget, reporting that the general fund remains structurally balanced. Public hearings were scheduled for October 28, November 12, and November 25, with a final adoption scheduled for December 9. Discussion focused on transportation improvements, water-rights purchases, and the possible use of unrestricted reserves for one-time capital projects.
Trustees also approved awarding the Parks, Recreation, Trails, and Open Space Master Plan contract to SCJ Alliance. The $100,000 project—supported by a $25,000 grant—will update the town’s recreation and open-space plans, including new master plans for the Chicago Ranch and Rodeo Grounds properties.
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