Votes are rolling in and in this town yours actually matters

Deadline to submit ballots is November 3

By Adam Broderick

In this town and county, your vote really does matter.

Unlike voting for President of the United States, your one vote can make a big difference. Voting for local government officials and ballot measures that affect things like tax hikes and how we move forward as a community is actually worth the little time it takes to research topics and vote on them. In the last election held by the town of Crested Butte, the half-percent sales tax increase proposed by Crested Butte lost by just a few votes. Three votes, to be exact. In this community, your vote really does matter.

Two local sales tax increases are being proposed this year. First, an increase of the Rural Transportation Authority (RTA) sales tax to 1 percent across the county to fund the valley-wide bus service, improve senior ground transportation and expand air service into the local airport. Currently the city of Gunnison collects a .35 percent sales tax, while the rest of the county collects .6 percent. This new tax would raise everyone to 1 percent.

The same Crested Butte measure that failed to pass last year is also on the ballot, a 0.5 percent sales tax increase for the town of Crested Butte to improve and maintain programs and facilities operated by the town’s Parks and Recreation Department. The department is currently funded through the real estate transfer tax (RETT), which also funds most of the town’s capital budget, so if the measure passes the Parks and Rec Department would not have to battle with other town departments for money.

Six people are running for four seats on the Crested Butte Town Council this year. See page 12 to get their latest views on some local topics.

Every registered voter should have received a county or town ballot in the mail by now. They must be filled out and returned by Tuesday, November 3 at 7 p.m. You have to make sure if you use the mail that the ballots arrive in the elections office by Tuesday. Postmarks do not matter. To vote in person, visit one of these three polling centers during the hours listed:

Queen of All Saints Parish Hall, 405 Sopris Avenue, Crested Butte

October 26-30, 2015, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

October 31, 2015, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

November 2, 2015, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, 2015, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Fred Field Western Heritage Center, 275 South Spruce St., Gunnison

Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, 2015, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Blackstock Government Center Elections Division Main Office

October 26-30, 2015, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

October 31, 2015, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

November 2, 2015, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, 2015, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Note: After-hours drop-off is available in a drive-by secure ballot box at the south end of the Blackstock building’s parking lot.

Any of these locations can also be used for ballot drop-off, voter registration, change of address, and replacement ballot acquisition.

Questions? Call Diane Folowell, elections manager, at (970) 641-7927.