To begin, we welcome Elizabeth Philbrick to the La Plata County Board of County Commissioners, replacing Clyde Church who resigned his seat so that he could take care of his family. We thank Clyde for his dedicated service and wish the Churches all the best.
Amid the changes, what has remained constant are the very real financial challenges facing La Plata County in 2025 and beyond. We remain committed to finding real solutions to keep La Plata County one of the best places to live and work in the state and the nation. It will take all of us working together to address those challenges head-on. Understanding them is the first step.
It’s no secret that life has gotten significantly more expensive for all of us, and local government is feeling the pinch just like everyone else. Meanwhile, our revenue streams are shrinking, causing a significant and growing strain on the county’s budget.
There are many factors that have played into the current fiscal environment.
La Plata County’s property tax rate, which was set before the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights was passed, requiring voter approval for tax increases, remains the fifth lowest among Colorado’s 64 counties.
Gas production revenues have propped up the county coffers for over 20 years and they have fallen significantly, which was predicted as the Fruitland formation, where the natural gas was drawn, has been significantly depleted, and natural gas prices are low. This reduction in natural gas revenue has not occurred because of La Plata County’s regulations, despite some narratives.
Sales taxes have not been increased for four decades.
Finally, residential property value has soared in Colorado since 2020, as have the corresponding property tax bills. In response, the Colorado Legislature pulled a series of levers in special sessions in 2023 and 2024, designed to limit that property tax obligation. This has reduced the property tax revenues the county has been able to collect by millions.
These constraints have had operational impacts reflected in the 2025 budget. These include:
- Significant reduction in capital projects.
- Deferred maintenance on public infrastructure.
- Reduced investment in discretionary (non-mandated) programs and services.
- Decreasing operating expenses, including cuts to employee benefits, training, equipment and supplies.
- Cuts in funding for public service organizations that align with the county’s mission.
The bottom line is that our budget is facing a structural imbalance that will likely affect service levels across the organization in 2026. The Road & Bridge budget alone is facing an annual shortfall of approximately $10 million.
The ramifications of this imbalance are serious. La Plata County is responsible for providing our 56,000-plus residents (and visitors) with public safety, wildfire and disaster response, human services, safe roads, public health services, vehicle registrations, elections and so much more – in short, the health, safety and welfare of all.
Living off revenues from the 1980s and 1990s in a growing county is not a sustainable future. We are strongly considering asking voters for an increase in sales tax on this November’s ballot. It is not a move we take lightly and as stewards of public funds we have taken as many cost-cutting steps as possible to avoid making such a request.
La Plata County is under a hiring freeze and has removed vacant positions where possible. We’ve reduced our vehicle fleet and cut operating expenses across all departments. But the gap remains. A 1% increase in the county sales tax rate ($1 paid on $100 spent), approximately one-third of which is paid by visitors, not residents, would generate an estimated $18 million per year providing a steady revenue stream in future years to provide the services the community relies on.
Thank you for the privilege of serving as your Board of County Commissioners as we navigate these challenging times.
The La Plata County Board of County Commissioners is Marsha Porter-Norton, chair, Matt Salka, vice-chair, and Elizabeth Philbrick. Reach them at 382-6219.
