The Archuleta County Democratic Party (ACDP) announced this week that it endorses three nonpartisan local measures on the ballot in November.
Ballot issue 5A, sponsored by Archuleta School District (ASD), supports a proposed $79.9 million bond to build a new PK-8 school and provide for upgrades at Pagosa Peak Open School. The school district will not take on community-financed debt unless the district also receives grant funding from the state.
Ballot issue 7B, sponsored by the Upper San Juan Health Service District, would extend a current exemption that protects funding for Pagosa Springs Medical Center (PSMC).
Ballot issue 1A, sponsored by the Archuleta County commissioners, would increase the county’s lodging tax to 6 percent, from its current 2 percent. The revenue generated would go toward infrastructure projects, roads, public safety and child care for the local workforce.
The ACDP’s central committee voted on Sept. 14 to endorse all three ballot issues.
In May and June, the party collaborated with several other community groups to organize a series of community conversations to discuss the possibility of ballot issues. At those meetings, ASD Superintendent Rick Holt, PSMC CEO and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Rhonda Webb and County Manager Longinos Gonzalez made the case for these initiatives. They also took questions from the audience at each meeting.
Videos of those meetings are available on the ACDP’s YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@archuletadems6603.
“We know it’s not a great time to ask taxpayers for more money,” said Shawna Seed, chair of the ACDP. “Everybody is dealing with higher gas prices and inflation.
“But after listening to community leaders and discussing these issues, we were persuaded that passing these ballot measures would address critical local needs. We all rely on the county’s roads and infrastructure. When our hospital’s finances are stable, we all benefit. And our kids deserve learning environments that aren’t outdated and crumbling. The longer we put off a new school, the more expensive the project will be.”
Seed noted that the state Democratic Party has endorsed Amendment 87, a graduated income tax that would lessen the tax burden for 97 percent of Colorado’s population. That would offer some relief from any tax increases in the county. The state party also endorses Proposition NN, which would increase operating funds for public education.
“We believe that all of these endorsements – 5A, 7B, 1A, Amendment 87 and Proposition NN – reflect our values,” Seed said. “We support investing in our community and a more equitable tax structure.”
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