By HCA Staff
The Chaffee County Board of Commissioners met October 14 to consider several high-profile items, including the proposed lodging-tax increase on the November ballot, a post-event review of the “Concerts at the Meadows,” and a variance request for new utility poles along County Road 200.
Ballot Measure 1A – Lodging-Tax Agreement
Commissioners approved Resolution 2025-46, endorsing Ballot Measure 1A and finalizing an intergovernmental agreement with the towns of Buena Vista and Poncha Springs. If approved by voters, the measure would raise the county lodging tax by four percent, with revenue divided among municipalities and county departments.
Under the plan, 35 percent of the new funds will return to municipalities based on population and jurisdictional footprint, 10 percent will remain in the county lodging fund, 35 percent will support Road and Bridge, and 20 percent will go toward public-safety programs. Commissioners said the revenue-sharing formula was the product of months of collaboration between the three governments.
Fair Campaign Practices Discussion
During public comment, Jason Chernofsky, owner of Creekside Chalet and a member of the Chaffee County Business Alliance, challenged the county’s interpretation of the Fair Campaign Practices Act (FCPA). Chernofsky said the Business Alliance was formed to oppose Measure 1A and had asked the Chaffee County Visitors Bureau to support that effort. He read from correspondence by county staff member Beth Helmke, which advised that the Bureau could not take a formal position for or against the ballot issue.
Chernofsky argued that the advice omitted key statutory provisions allowing a local governing body to adopt a resolution urging voters to support or reject a measure, provided no public money is used for paid advertising. Because the lodging-tax proposal directly affects tourism, he said, “this is very much in their wheelhouse,” and businesses felt “misled” by restrictive guidance.
County Attorney Carl Hanlon responded that only the governing body itself—the Board of County Commissioners or a town council—may lawfully adopt an advocacy resolution. Appointed boards such as the Visitors Bureau must stay neutral when using public resources. Hanlon said he follows a “very conservative view” of the FCPA, citing recent state enforcement actions, and stressed that individual members may speak personally but not in an official capacity. When Chernofsky asked what penalties could follow if the Bureau issued a statement, Hanlon declined to speculate, and the chair ended the exchange by affirming that the county would continue following its attorney’s interpretation.
Festival Review – Concerts at the Meadows
Planning staff presented a post-event review of the August festival, which operated within its special-event permit. Buena Vista Police Chief Dean Morgan reported three consecutive festivals where pedestrians were struck by vehicles on U.S. 24 and urged consideration of temporary road closures. Recreation Director Annie Carlson said the traffic-control plan was again not fully followed and asked the county to account for the strain on local resources. Event organizers acknowledged two traffic signs were stolen and said they would coordinate more closely with local officials. Noise monitoring compared A- and C-weighted sound levels, and organizers expressed openness to adopting standards similar to Red Rocks Amphitheatre. County EMS reported a smooth event with no arrests.
Xcel Energy Transmission Line Variance
Commissioners approved a variance allowing Xcel Energy to replace six transmission poles along County Road 200 with steel monopoles between 67 and 77 feet high—exceeding the county’s 35-foot limit. Engineers said the new design adds optical ground wire (OPGW) to improve wildfire detection and communications between substations. Construction will occur mainly within the existing corridor, using helicopters to limit ground disturbance.
Other Business
The board approved its consent agenda, including several grant authorizations, letters of support for local fire-mitigation projects, and acceptance of the 2024 audit report. Commissioners later entered executive session under CRS 24-6-402(4)(b) to receive legal advice on building-safety and environmental-health compliance.
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