Routt County commissioners and the Craig City Council have officially approved resolutions that will place the question of forming a Yampa Valley Regional Transportation Authority on their respective November ballots. 

This decision follows a renegotiated funding pledge from Steamboat Ski & Resort Corp., which committed $1 million annually for three years to support development of the RTA, an expansion from its most recent offer of one year.

Routt County’s perspective: tenacity amid frustrations

At the regular meeting of the Routt County commissioners on Tuesday, in which Commissioner Tim Redmond was absent, county officials voiced cautious optimism for the future of the RTA given tense back-and-forth exchanges over the past few weeks regarding Ski Corp.’s financial commitment.

For over a year, Ski Corp. had verbally committed to RTA formation committee members that it would provide a $1 million annual contribution for 20 years to “stand up” the RTA. This pledge was a major pillar in public communications and early intergovernmental negotiations and was used to rally support among voters and local governments. 

Earlier this month, however, just weeks before the deadline to finalize ballot language and within days of executing an agreement with the city of Steamboat Springs to commit $2.75 million per year to Steamboat Springs Transit, Ski Corp. representatives pulled back on the 20-year commitment and instead offered $1 million for one year, with an aim to continue longer-term negotiations. 

While the other five municipalities signaled reluctant agreement to the one-year pledge given the impending deadline for ballot language, Routt County officials responded to the last-minute retreat firmly, requesting $1 million for three years from Ski Corp. as a compromise – a pledge Ski Corp. agreed to just one day after the Steamboat Springs City Council approved initial reading of an ordinance to potentially put a proposed lift-ticket tax on the November ballot. 

Commissioner Angelica Salinas reiterated the regional importance of the proposed RTA, acknowledging the frustrations with Ski Corp.’s previous funding pledges but noting that a three-year commitment puts the RTA at a “better place” than a single-year contribution. 

“I believe in the RTA, I’m committed to regional transportation. I think our region needs that,” said Salinas, “but I think we have heard from constituents, we’ve gotten comments about their frustrations, so I think it’s just important to acknowledge that we hear them, that we understand and that we’ll continue to be a voice for them.”

“Had we not been a strong voice for them, we might still be left with a one-year, $1 million deal,” she added. 

Macys, who has been involved in efforts to establish some iteration of regional transportation for “almost a decade” — both as a former Steamboat Springs City Councilor and as a county commissioner — explained the thought process leading up to their counter for a three-year commitment from Ski Corp. 

“There was the option that we would not have been part of the RTA, and we discussed maybe then we would contract with services for the RTA, which would’ve left the other municipalities to stand up the RTA without us and without a vote from the table, but we could’ve benefited from the service,” said Macys.

“But talking that through, that didn’t seem like a very good or sustainable long-term alternative, and it also seemed that it may alienate our smaller jurisdictions that are looking to us for leadership and to work with them and stick with them.”

“I do think we can do this within three years’ time,” Macys added.

Macys credited Routt County Manager Jay Harrington for suggesting the three-year commitment as a compromise, which helped keep the county involved rather than risking its withdrawal from the RTA. 

Harrington also noted that the future RTA board will be composed solely of elected officials from member governments, meaning private entities like Ski Corp. will have no voting power. This board will have the authority to negotiate ongoing funding arrangements once the RTA is formed, providing transparency and control to the individual municipalities.

After thorough discussion, Routt County commissioners Macys and Salinas approved a resolution to put the RTA formation question on the ballot. Commissioner Redmond, although absent, had previously voiced his support for moving forward with the RTA, said Salinas.

Craig City Council unanimously supports RTA ballot language

On Tuesday evening, the Craig City Council also voted unanimously to support placement of the RTA formation question on the November ballot.

Councilor Randy Looper, who represents Craig on the formation committee, emphasized the importance of Craig having a voice in the RTA process. 

“If we decide not to move this forward, or it’s not passed — either one — that means that more than likely, it will move forward without Craig having a say,” said Looper, underscoring the stakes for Craig’s involvement.

Looper recapped frustrations voiced by some formation committee members about the scaling back of the Ski Corp.’s initial $20 million pledge — which had triggered new consideration of the city of Steamboat Springs’ contentious lift-tax proposal. He reminded council that Steamboat Springs and at least one other jurisdiction must successfully pass the formation question in order for the RTA to move forward for all six jurisdictions in the Yampa Valley.

While the Steamboat Springs City Council has tentatively green-lighted the RTA to move forward given the revised Ski Corp. pledge, on Sept. 2 they will make an official decision about whether to put the RTA formation question — and/or a lift-tax question — on the November ballot. 

Whether Oak Creek, Hayden and Yampa also will put the RTA formation question on the ballot this November will be decided in the coming weeks.