During its regular meeting held on Tuesday, Aug. 18, the Archuleta County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) unanimously approved Resolution 2026-63, approving and authorizing a ballot question for the Nov. 3 general election for the purpose of proposing its increasing existing lodging tax by 4 percent.
According to the resolution, in the Nov. 1987 election, voters approved a 2 percent lodging tax rate, which has not been increased since its original approval.
County Manager Longinos Gonzalez presented the resolution, explaining that the ballot measure will ask county voters to approve the 4 percent increase in lodging tax rate to a total rate of 6 percent.
The agenda explains that the 6 percent lodging tax rate would be applied “on the rental fee, price, or other consideration paid or charged for the leasing, rental, sale, or furnishing of a room or accommodation for a short-term period of less than thirty (30) consecutive days, with the additional revenues to be used for public infrastructure maintenance and improvements of county roads, public safety services, and affordable childcare for the local workforce, thereby enhancing the quality of life for County residents, improving the visitor experience, and supporting the long-term economic vitality of Archuleta County.”
Gonzalez then explained that after receiving feedback during an Aug. 11 work session held by the BoCC, the recommended title of the ballot measure presented is “Lodging Tax Increase to Support County Roads, Public Safety, and Childcare.”
The recommended ballot language indicates that the increase will generate an additional $1,080,000 annually beginning Jan. 1, 2027.
The recommended ballot language presented by Gonzalez also states that 80 percent of the funds generated by the 4 percent increase would be dedicated to county road maintenance and improvements, 10 percent of those funds would be dedicated to public safety and emergency dispatch, and the remaining 10 percent would be dedicated to child care for the local workforce.
Gonzalez also pointed out that the recommended ballot language includes language about the Town of Pagosa Springs having its own lodging tax rate, and that the county’s 6 percent rate would not be applied to lodging establishments located within the town’s boundaries.
“This is all based on the recommended changes as given by the commissioners at our last work session where this was discussed,” Gonzalez said.
Prior to voting on the resolution, Commissioner John Ranson commended Gonzalez’s work on the matter, noting the multiple public forums organized to receive public input.
The resolution was then unanimously approved by the BoCC.
clayton@pagosasun.com
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