Background

During the recently completed legislative session, the Colorado General Assembly passed and the Governor signed into law House Bill 22-1117. This bill addresses the use of revenue from a local tax on lodging.

The bill empowers local voters to identify how the County lodging tax revenue should be invested or spent. Specifically, House Bill-22-1117 now allows local voters to direct lodging tax revenues to housing and childcare needs, as well as to investments that enhance the visitor experience. 

Currently, the Clear Creek Tourism Bureau uses the proceeds from the 2% Lodging Tax exclusively on advertising and marketing tourism in Clear Creek County. 

House Bill 22-1117 expanded the allowable uses for lodging tax revenue beyond the limited uses of advertising and marketing local tourism to also include childcare and housing for the local workforce, as well as to facilitate and enhance visitor experiences.  Any proposed expansion of the uses of an existing lodging tax must be referred to the registered electors of the unincorporated areas and the municipalities subject to the lodging tax at the next general election.

During it's September 6th, 2022 meeting, the Clear Creek County Board of County Commissioners decided to ask the voters if they wanted to expand the use of lodging tax revenue to be used for purposes in addition to advertising and marketing. This includes authorizing a portion of the revenue from the County’s existing lodging tax to be used to support housing and childcare for the tourism-related workforce, including seasonal workers, and other workers in the community, and for facilitating and enhancing visitor experiences; and providing for other matters related to the ballot issue.

View the agenda memo here.

View the resolution here.

A survey was also distributed online to Clear Creek County residents, business owners, and visitors during July and August 2022. This was designed to hear from people who live, work, and visit the County, to gather feedback on what they want when it comes to housing, childcare, advertising, visitor experiences, etc. More than 170 people responded to the survey.  

You can see the results by clicking here.

Ballot Language:

WITHOUT RAISING TAXES, SHALL CLEAR CREEK COUNTY BE AUTHORIZED TO USE A MINIMUM SIXTY PERCENT (60%) OF THE REVENUE FROM THE EXISTING LODGING TAX TO SUPPORT HOUSING AND CHILDCARE FOR THE TOURISM-RELATED WORKFORCE, INCLUDING SEASONAL WORKERS, AND OTHER WORKERS IN THE COMMUNITY, AND FOR ALL OTHER PURPOSES PERMITTED BY LAW, WITH UP TO A MAXIMUM FORTY PERCENT (40%) OF LODGING TAX REVENUE CONTINUING TO BE USED FOR ADVERTISING AND MARKETING LOCAL TOURISM?

YES □ FOR APPROVAL

NO □ AGAINST APPROVAL

What does a vote "YES" mean?

A vote "YES" on Ballot Initiative 1A means that the voter believes that at least 60 percent of the existing lodging tax revenue should be used to support housing and childcare when it comes to the tourism-related workforce. This means workers in tourism, such as seasonal workers and other workers in the community, will get housing and childcare support if this passes. Taxes will not be raised. In addition, up to 40 percent of the lodging tax revenue will continue to be used for advertising and marketing local tourism.

What does a vote "NO" mean?

A vote "NO" on Ballot Initiative 1A means nothing will change when it comes lodging tax. No lodging tax revenue will go to support housing and childcare when it comes to the tourism-related workforce. All of the lodging tax revenue will be used for advertising and marketing local tourism. 

Election Information

A General Election will be held in the State of Colorado, County of Clear Creek, on Tuesday, November 8, 2022. All eligible registered voters will receive a ballot in the mail. Ballots will be mailed the week of October 17th – 21st. If you do not receive a ballot, contact the County Clerk’s office.

CLEAR CREEK COUNTY CLERK AND RECORDER
405 Argentine St., PO Box 2000, Georgetown, CO 80444
PH: (303) 679-2339
Email Address: elections@clearcreekcounty.us
Website: https://www.clearcreekcounty.us/104/Clerk-Recorder

VOTER SERVICE AND POLLING CENTERS

Ballot drop off, replacement ballots, voter registration, in-person voting and accessible voting equipment will be available at this location:

Clear Creek County Courthouse
405 Argentine St., Georgetown, CO 80444
Monday-Friday, (10/24/2022 – 11/07/2022) 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Saturdays, 10/29/2022 and 11/05/2022 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Tuesday, ELECTION DAY (11/08/2022) 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Check your voter registration here.

BALLOT DROP-OFF LOCATIONS

These 24-hour monitored mail ballot drop boxes will be open Monday, October 17th through Tuesday, November 8th at 7:00 pm (Election Day).

• Clear Creek County Courthouse
405 Argentine St, Georgetown

• Health and Wellness Center--NEW LOCATION
1969 Miner St, Idaho Springs

• Clear Creek High School
185 Beaver Brook Canyon Rd, Evergreen

• Buchanan Park Recreation Center (Shared box with Jefferson County)
32003 Ellingwood Trail, Evergreen

• Evergreen Library (Shared box with Jefferson County)
5000 Hwy 73, Evergreen