Town of Telluride: Council Passes Resolution Supporting a “Yes” Vote on Question 3A!

20 Sep Town of Telluride: Council Passes Resolution Supporting a “Yes” Vote on Question 3A!

The Town of Telluride announces that Council passed resolution supporting a “Yes” vote on question 3A.

SMART ballot measure initiates next phase of Telluride-Mountain Village Gondola through increases to sales, lodging, and property taxes. For more detailed information on the ballot measure and its potential impacts, visit smarttelluride.colorado.gov.

To learn more about the Telluride-Mountain Village Gondola’s long-term planning discussions and phases to date, visit ourgondola.org.

For the most up-to-date information, follow the Town of Telluride on social media@townoftelluride.

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Gondola image, courtesy Town of Telluride.

During a recent meeting of Town Council, a resolution was passed unanimously supporting a “Yes” vote on Question 3A. The measure urges the registered electors of the SMART taxing district to vote in favor of the proposed sales, lodging, and mill levy increases to pay for vital regional transportation services, including Gondola and regional bus service.

According to the resolution, the Telluride Town Council believes the Gondola to be a critical piece of our public transportation system. Ballot question 3A will ensure the Gondola continues to operate beyond 2028 as a free public transportation service between Telluride and Mountain Village.

On Thursday, September 5, the Board of Directors of the San Miguel Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) referred ballot issue 3A to be placed on the ballot for the November 5, 2024, coordinated election. The Board is seeking voter approval to impose a sales tax rate increase of .82%, a lodging tax increase of 1.25%, and a mill levy increase of 1.336 mills to raise an estimated $8.2 million annually to fund Gondola operations/maintenance and regional bus services.

The 1999 Gondola Operating Agreement guarantees free gondola service, but that measure expires on December 31, 2027. So a community-wide planning effort has been underway since 2015. Discussions and subsequent agreements between key stakeholders—including the Towns of Telluride and Mountain Village, San Miguel County, and SMART—have highlighted the need for sustained funding.

The measure proposes the following:

• $8.2 Million Annual Revenue, raised through a combination of taxes:
o An increase in sales taxes of up to 0.82% ($4.6 million projected to be raised)
o An increase in lodging taxes of up to 1.25% ($2.0 million projected to be raised)
o An increase in property taxes equivalent to approximately $89 per $1,000,000 of
residential property value. ($1.6 million projected to be raised)

• Gondola Operations and Replacement: 87.8% of the funds will be restricted to support gondola operations and establish a capital reserve for a portion of a new gondola system. These funds will ensure the system continues to serve the community beyond 2027 and will support future capital needs for a replacement system projected to cost at least $60 million.

• Environmental Impact: The gondola reduces road traffic and greenhouse gas emissions, providing a car-free, sustainable transportation option for the region.

• Supporting Broader Transit Services: 12.2% of the funds will be allocated to expanding and improving SMART’s regional bus services, further enhancing public transportation in the area.

The resolution explains that the ballot measure is a pivotal part of SMART’s plan to ensure the long-term sustainability of the gondola, which has been vital to the region’s transit system for nearly three decades. Voters within the SMART taxing district, including the Telluride R-1 School District boundaries, can vote on this measure.

Telluride, more:

Credit, Ryan Bonneau.

Nestled amidst the majestic San Juan Mountains of southwest Colorado, Telluride’s captivating narrative is deeply rooted in the ancient legacy of the Ute tribe, the valley’s original inhabitants, who crafted their summer camps along the San Miguel River, naming the land “The Valley of Hanging Waterfalls.”

In the late 1700s, Spanish explorers traversed the rugged terrain, laying the groundwork for subsequent exploration and settlement. A fervent mining boom followed, igniting a rush of prospectors to the region, culminating in the founding of Telluride in 1880.

Telluride’s allure as a hub of opportunity attracted fortune seekers, bolstered by the arrival of the Rio Grande Southern Railroad and groundbreaking innovations like the hydroelectric power plant in Ames.

Set in a box canyon amid forested peaks at the base of the popular Telluride ski-and-golf resort, the town’s historic district houses landmarks like the Sheridan Opera House and the Telluride Historical Museum while playing host to culture, music, arts, outdoor recreation, and festivals with unrivaled views and dramatic locale.

For more information, please visit online at telluride-co.gov.