Basalt, Colorado – The Basalt Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors is taking an official stance on three ballot measures we feel are vital to the business community in the Roaring Fork Valley to whom we serve. The mission of the Basalt Chamber of Commerce is “to build a strong community through the promotion of sustainable economic growth and commerce.” The Basalt Chamber of Commerce has many purposes and three of the key areas are “Promote Basalt, its business and the community,” “advocate for the business community,” and “strengthen the economic environment, making it better and easier to do business in Basalt.”
https://basaltchamber.org/belong/about/mission-vision/
Through careful consideration of the Chamber’s mission and purpose and the needs of the business community, the Board of Directors identified three upcoming ballot issues critical to the success of Basalt area businesses:
Proposition JJ – Sports Betting Tax Revenue for Water Projects: Proposition JJ would allow the State of Colorado to keep excess tax revenue generated from Sports Betting and require its continued use to fund water projects in Colorado. The water resources of Colorado are of immense value to communities and businesses in Roaring Fork Valley. To allow continued state investment in those resources for continued viability is highly important for the community. Given that there are no active casinos in Basalt, we are in favor of supporting the local economy and the overall economy as they would benefit by keeping this excess tax money through the support of the water sources of Colorado.
The Chamber Board of Directors encourages a YES vote on Proposition JJ.
Pitkin County Ballot Issue 1A – Affordable And Workforce Housing Mill Levy: Ballot issue 1A will provide a dedicated funding source for affordable housing development and preservation. Housing availability and affordability are perhaps some of the most pressing issues facing our business community. The Basalt Chamber of Commerce supports the initiative by Pitkin County to continue to address the issue and look for ways to make improvements, and a dedicated funding source for housing is a step in that direction.
The Chamber Board of Directors encourages a YES vote on Ballot Issue 1A.
Pitkin County Ballot Issue 1C – BOCC Referred Home Rule Charter Amendment: Ballot issue 1C, proposed by the Board of County Commissioners, would allow the commissioners to continue to oversee future management of the Pitkin County Airport and its necessary safety improvements. The Basalt Chamber of Commerce is aligned that the airport is critical to the business environment of the Roaring Fork Valley, both currently and in the future. For specific reasons why we are aligned on voting for Ballot Measure 1C, please visit https://abetterairport.com/
The Pitkin County Board of County Commissioners has engaged the community over multiple years and the current direction is based on that overwhelming feedback. The Pitkin County Airport is vital to support our vibrant business community and supporting ballot issue 1C is in that interest.
The Chamber Board of Directors encourages a YES vote on Ballot Issue 1C.
All elections and ballot initiatives are unique and, by nature, polarizing. The Basalt Chamber of Commerce encourages all members of the business community to be engaged, research and form opinions on these matters. The Board has worked hard to ensure we retained a narrow focus of suggesting what we unanimously agreed were in the interest of the Basalt business community. There are ample election resources available to learn more about the many ballot measures out there. Suggested resources can be found at basaltchamber.org/elections