The Colorado-based Outdoor Industry Association has endorsed the 1A Ballot Issue, which it supports as an investment in Chaffee County’s outdoor recreation economy, forest health and agricultural heritage.
“Chaffee County is home to vibrant outdoor recreation and agricultural economies. In fact, half of all county residents make their living from these industries,” said OIA’s state and local policy director David Weinstein.
“But population growth and increased visitation have led to agricultural-land conversion and unchecked impacts from outdoor recreation,” he continued. “A funding source dedicated to addressing these changes will ensure the economic viability of outdoor recreation and the longevity of working agricultural lands in Chaffee County. This funding will help protect the goose that laid Chaffee County’s golden egg.”
Ballot Issue 1A proposes a quarter-of-one-percent (0.25 percent) increase of the countywide sales tax dedicated to strengthening forest health and fire resilience, conserving and supporting working farms and ranches, and managing the impacts of growth, including restoring and managing recreational impacts, watershed protections, and addressing the waste left by increased visitation and use. The proposed sales tax is estimated to generate $1.162 million in 2019.
OIA encourages voters to say “Yes” on Nov. 6 to invest in Chaffee County’s outdoor
recreation economy, forest health and agricultural heritage.
The Colorado Outdoor Recreation Economy provides:
– 229,000 direct jobs
– $28 billion in consumer spending ($2.14 billion in the 5th Congressional District)
– $9.7 billion in wages and salaries
– $2 billion in state and local revenue
Tara Flanagan, for OIA
Salida
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