Election 2024: Ballot measures in Eagle County include Eagle River Fire sales tax, Avon use tax, Gypsum lodging tax
Fire district request is for $6.8 million per year
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Local ballot measures are set for the Nov. 5 ballot. Several local jurisdictions are seeking more revenue from either local taxpayers or visitors.
Eagle River Fire
The biggest of the revenue questions is from the Eagle River Fire Protection District, which covers the area from the top of Tennessee Pass to Wolcott. That district is asking for a .79% sales tax increase — 79 cents on a $100 purchase — beginning July 1, 2025. The ballot language estimates the first-year revenue at $6.8 million. The tax excludes groceries “and other exempt items” purchased within the district.
The ballot language states the money is to be used to maintain current equipment and replace vehicles “when necessary.” The money would also be used for firefighter safety gear, upgrading wildland firefighting equipment, “providing adequate staffing,” and improving current and future fire stations.
Town of Avon
The town of Avon is asking voters for a use tax on construction materials, with the funds dedicated to community housing. That tax — 4% on construction materials purchased or used in town — is estimated to raise $4 million in its first year.
The ballot language states that projects of $125,000 or less in materials will be exempt from the tax.
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Town of Minturn
Minturn officials are asking voters to increase the current tax on short-term rentals by a first-year amount of $1.5 million. That will bring the total tax to 6.5% from the current 1.5%. The tax will be imposed on those renting rooms for 30 days or less but doesn’t include hotels, bed and breakfast operations or dormitories.
The funds will be used for “community projects and services addressing visitor impacts” in areas including recreation, public safety, street improvements, parking, child care, housing and “other capital purposes” determined by the Minturn Town Council.
A few voters — only 50 or so, according to Town Clerk Jay Brunvand — will receive a separate ballot from the town asking for authority to create a Downtown Development Authority. If approved, that entity will have the authority to issue debt paid via property taxes.
Town of Gypsum
The town of Gypsum is currently subject to Eagle County’s 2% lodging tax, but there are no hotels currently in town. With two hotels currently in the planning stages, town officials are asking voters for a 3% lodging tax. According to the ballot language, that tax is expected to raise $198,000 in its its first year, with the money dedicated to roads, parks, recreation facilities, special events and “such other uses as determined reasonable and necessary by the Town Council.”
If approved, the town will drop its participation in Eagle County’s lodging tax.
