{"id":1317877,"date":"2020-01-23T22:36:00","date_gmt":"2020-01-24T05:36:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/colorado-river-district-revisiting-mill-levy-increase\/"},"modified":"2020-01-23T22:36:00","modified_gmt":"2020-01-24T05:36:00","slug":"colorado-river-district-revisiting-mill-levy-increase","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske\/local-news\/colorado-river-district-revisiting-mill-levy-increase\/","title":{"rendered":"Colorado River District revisiting mill levy increase"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"swift-gallery p402_hide\" readability=\"6.7961926091825\">\n<ul id=\"imageGallery-992921-725\" class=\"gallery list-unstyled\">\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/01\/RiverDistrict-gpi-012420-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/01\/RiverDistrict-gpi-012420-1024x768.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Brent Gardner-Smith\/Aspen Journalism | The Colorado River Water Conservation District owns water in Ruedi Reservoir. River District directors are considering whether to put a tax increase question to voters this November.\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"-1\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"9\">\n<p><strong>The Colorado River Water Conservation District owns water in Ruedi Reservoir. River District directors are considering whether to put a tax increase question to voters this November.<\/strong><br \/>Brent Gardner-Smith\/Aspen Journalism<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/01\/RiverDistrict-gpi-012420-1024x768.jpg\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" alt=\"The Colorado River Water Conservation District owns water in Ruedi Reservoir. River District directors are considering whether to put a tax increase question to voters this November.\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/01\/RiverDistrict-gpi-012420-1-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/01\/RiverDistrict-gpi-012420-1-1024x711.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Brent Gardner-Smith\/Aspen Journalism | Fourteen of the 15 directors of the Colorado River Water Conservation District, gathered for a 2019 meeting. The directors are appointed by county commissioners in 15 Western Slope counties. Back row, from left, Alden Vanden Brink, Rio Blanco County; Karn Stiegelmeirer, Summit; Doug Monger, Routt; Marc Catlin, Montrose; John Ely, Pitkin; Steve Acquafresca, Mes; Bill Trampe, Gunnison; Stan Whinnery, Hinsdale. Front row, from left, Mike Ritschard, Grand; Kathy Chandler-Henry, Eagle; Dave Merritt, Garfield; Martha Whitmore, Ouray; Tom Alvey, Delta; Rebie Hazard, Saguache; Not shown, Tom Gray, Moffat County.\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"10\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"31\">\n<p><strong>Fourteen of the 15 directors of the Colorado River Water Conservation District, gathered for a 2019 meeting. The directors are appointed by county commissioners in 15 Western Slope counties. Back row, from left, Alden Vanden Brink, Rio Blanco County; Karn Stiegelmeirer, Summit; Doug Monger, Routt; Marc Catlin, Montrose; John Ely, Pitkin; Steve Acquafresca, Mes; Bill Trampe, Gunnison; Stan Whinnery, Hinsdale. Front row, from left, Mike Ritschard, Grand; Kathy Chandler-Henry, Eagle; Dave Merritt, Garfield; Martha Whitmore, Ouray; Tom Alvey, Delta; Rebie Hazard, Saguache; Not shown, Tom Gray, Moffat County.<\/strong><br \/>Brent Gardner-Smith\/Aspen Journalism<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/01\/RiverDistrict-gpi-012420-1-1024x711.jpg\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" alt=\"Fourteen of the 15 directors of the Colorado River Water Conservation District, gathered for a 2019 meeting. The directors are appointed by county commissioners in 15 Western Slope counties. Back row, from left, Alden Vanden Brink, Rio Blanco County; Karn Stiegelmeirer, Summit; Doug Monger, Routt; Marc Catlin, Montrose; John Ely, Pitkin; Steve Acquafresca, Mes; Bill Trampe, Gunnison; Stan Whinnery, Hinsdale. Front row, from left, Mike Ritschard, Grand; Kathy Chandler-Henry, Eagle; Dave Merritt, Garfield; Martha Whitmore, Ouray; Tom Alvey, Delta; Rebie Hazard, Saguache; Not shown, Tom Gray, Moffat County.\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"caption-toggle\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/news\/local\/colorado-river-district-revisiting-mill-levy-increase\/#\" class=\"show-captions\">Show Captions<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/news\/local\/colorado-river-district-revisiting-mill-levy-increase\/#\" class=\"hide-captions\">Hide Captions<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">GLENWOOD SPRINGS \u2014 The directors of the Colorado River Water Conservation District are revisiting a recommendation to ask voters to restore part of the district\u2019s original mill levy.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">River District General Manager Andy Mueller recommended at the district\u2019s quarterly board meeting this week asking voters in the November 2020 election to raise the district\u2019s property tax rate from a quarter-mill to a half-mill, taking its budget from roughly $4 million to $8 million.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">That works out to 50 cents for every $1,000 of assessed property value.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">According to a memo from Mueller, the River District has taken steps over the last year to reduce expenses \u2014 which have climbed at a rate of 3% per year \u2014 such as putting a grant program on hold, instituting an early retirement program to reduce the number of full time employees and reducing its fleet of vehicles by two. These efforts, however, are not a long-term fix to what Mueller called a structural deficit.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Mueller\u2019s recommendation seeks to remedy a dwindling general fund caused by the bane of many Colorado taxing districts: the Taxpayer Bill of Rights and Gallagher Amendment, which restrain the growth of government by placing limits on the amount of taxes allowed to be collected. The River District gets 97% or its revenue from property taxes.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cIt\u2019s not with lack of thought that I\u2019m recommending this board consider asking the voters, appropriately under TABOR, to support a tax increase,\u201d Mueller told River District directors. \u201cWe want to see that money going to partners on the West Slope and projects that span the scope of our water improvement needs.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Some directors said they supported the measure, which was first publicly discussed at a February 2019 meeting.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cI think it\u2019s obvious this is a necessary step forward,\u201d said Karn Stiegelmeier, who represents Summit County.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Others agreed about the need to increase the River District\u2019s revenue but expressed doubt a tax measure could pass in western Colorado\u2019s more conservative counties, such as Mesa, Montrose and Delta, especially in a presidential election year with high turnout.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cI think we face a really difficult battle,\u201d said Tom Alvey, who represents Delta County. \u201cThere are a number of tax-averse areas on the Western Slope.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText Subhead\">Building awareness<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">The River District was created by the state Legislature in 1937 to protect and develop water supplies in 15 Western Slope counties, including Pitkin, Garfield and Eagle. County commissioners appoint its directors to three-year terms. The Glenwood Springs-based organization works to shape Colorado water policy and advocates for keeping water on the Western Slope.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Even though the River District plays an important role in Colorado water planning, its financial might has lagged behind its political clout. A revenue increase would help remedy that, Mueller said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cWhat we are trying to do is respond to the public\u2019s concerns about (a secure water future) and be the leader at the table and not just with our skilled staff and political influence, but also with money,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">But before the tax money can start rolling in, voters have to know what the River District is and what it does. To that end, staff has undertaken a rebranding of the River District to help voters connect what it does with its name. Staff has stepped up efforts with social media, a newsletter and video featuring Mueller and West Slope water users, and is also planning a series of webinars and workshops around the 15 counties.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cWe are trying to help people realize there is an agency charged with protecting two-thirds of the West Slope and assist in the long-range planning for water supply and helping them realize while we may not touch their daily lives, how important that work is,\u201d Mueller said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">In addition to Mueller, the River District employs attorneys, engineers, hydrologists, legislative lobbyists and communications specialists to protect the West Slope\u2019s water interests.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Directors did not make a decision at this week\u2019s meeting on whether to put the tax question on this year\u2019s ballot. Instead, they agreed to continue to research the issue and discuss it with their constituents.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cI would need some time before I say yay or nay,\u201d said Steve Acquafresca, who represents Mesa County. \u201cI need some time to talk to people and consider the issue.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText Tagline\">Aspen Journalism collaborates with The Aspen Times and other Swift Communications newspapers on coverage of rivers and water. Go to aspenjournalism.org for more information.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/news\/local\/colorado-river-district-revisiting-mill-levy-increase\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">via:: Post Independent<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Colorado River Water Conservation District owns water in Ruedi Reservoir. River District directors are considering whether to put a tax increase question to voters this November.Brent Gardner-Smith\/Aspen Journalism Fourteen of the 15 directors of the Colorado River Water Conservation District, gathered for a 2019 meeting. The directors are appointed by county commissioners in 15 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[160],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-1317877","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-local-news"},"acf":[],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-06-21 02:33:15","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"category","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"distributor_meta":false,"distributor_terms":false,"distributor_media":false,"distributor_original_site_name":"KSKE Ski Country","distributor_original_site_url":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske","push-errors":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1317877","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1317877"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1317877\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1317877"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1317877"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1317877"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}