Agenda

2. Agenda Context Board of County CommissionersEnvision “People for Chaffee” Technical Assistance Trust for Public LandPolling Results FM3Commissioner QuestionsCommunity Questions and Comment Commissioner Closing Thoughts

4. People for Chaffee – What? • Enable citizens and visitors to support: • Healthy Forests, Clean Waters and Wildlife • Catastrophic Fire Mitigation • Rural Landscapes • Sustainable Recreational Experiences “Chaffee County population grew 5.6% in just 2 years from 2015 to 2017 – twice as fast as the state population.” Elizabeth Garner, Colorado State Demographer A future built on common ground

5. People for Chaffee – Why? • Healthy forests support clean waters, habitat, economy • 54% Chaffee forests impacted by timber die-off • Rising risk of catastrophic fire (up 400% since 90s) • Serious threat to community, waters and economy • Insufficient resources “5 dead trees per acres today will become 120 dead trees per acre by 2020” Jim PItts Salida District Ranger A future built on common ground

6. Loss of Rural Lands, Waters • Agricultural Land Loss of 30% since 1980’s • Recharge ground water supplies with clean water • Preserve rural character • Provide wildlife habitat • Attract visitors, residents “97% of respondents indicate working lands contribute to Chaffee County’s quality of life” Envision Survey Data A future built on common ground

7. Retain Quality Recreation • Recreation use increasing up to 17% per year • Impacts human and ecosystem health • Impacts local waters & aquifers • Impacts wildlife A future built on common ground

8. People for Chaffee • Enable citizens and visitors to support: • Healthy Forests, Waters and Wildlife • Catastrophic Fire Mitigation • Rural Landscapes • Quality Recreational Experiences A future built on common ground

9. Chaffee County – Feasibility Research • Choosing a funding strategy • Conservation Finance Options • Sales Tax • Bonds • Property Tax • Referral Process • Election Analysis

10. Agenda Context Board of County CommissionersEnvision “People for Chaffee” Technical Assistance Trust for Public LandPolling Results FM3Commissioner QuestionsCommunity Questions and Comment Commissioner Closing Thoughts

12. Methodology • 301 interviews with likely November 2018 voters in Chaffee County, Colorado • Conducted July 5-12, 2018, online and via landline and cell phones • Margin of sampling error of +/-5.7% at the 95% confidence interval • Due to rounding, some percentages do not add up to 100

13. Community Context

14. A majority feels the county is headed in the right direction. Would you say things in ChaffeeCounty are generally headed in the right direction, or do you feel that they are pretty seriously on the wrong track? Q1.

15. One-third are at least somewhat reliant on the outdoor recreation economy; about one in six have an economic tie to farming and ranching. How dependent is your income on economy? Farming/Ranching Tourism/Outdoor recreation Total Dependent32% Total Dependent17% Q14 & Q15.

16. Just over one in ten say they have participated in the Envision Chaffee process. Did you participate in the Envision Chaffee County process? Q17.

17. Wildfire risk and housing affordability are by far the most urgent concerns locally. I’d like to read you some problems facing Chaffee County that people have mentioned. Please tell me whether you think it is an extremely serious problem, a very serious problem, somewhat serious problem, or a not too serious problem in Chaffee County. Q5.

18. In principle, about seven in ten see at least some need for new funding for stewardship. In your personal opinion, do you think that Chaffee County has a great need for additional funding, some need, a little need, or no real need for additional funding to manage, protect and enhance public lands? Great/Some Need68% A Little/No Real Need25% Q6.

19. Voter Views of a Potential Ballot Measure

20. Ballot Measure Language Tested • Shall ChaffeeCounty taxes be increased by $917,914 and by whatever amounts raised annually beginning January 1, 2019, from a one-quarter of one percent sales tax, that is 2.5 cents on a $10 purchase, to be used solely for: • Protecting outdoor recreation and water quality from the environmental impacts of rapidly growing visitation by enhancing and keeping clean our trails, rivers and campsites; • Improving forest health, and preserving wildlife habitat; • Protecting our communities, ArkansasRiver watershed and forests from severe wildfire; • Preserving scenic open lands and working ranch and farm lands, • With all expenditures subject to the recommendations of a citizen advisory committee, an annual independent audit, and a cap on administrative expenses of five percent; and shall the County be authorized to collect, retain, and spend the proceeds of the revenue from such taxes and any earnings thereon without the limitation or condition as a voter-approved revenue change under Article X, Section 20 of the Colorado Constitution or any other law? Q2. If the election were held today, would you vote yes in favor of this measure, or no to oppose it?

21. Just under three in five back the measure – a 20-point margin of support. Total Yes58% Total No38% Q2. If the election were held today, would you vote yes in favor of this measure, or no to oppose it?

22. Three in five are willing to support a measure that would raise taxes by $40 annually. This proposal would increase taxes for the average household by $40 per year. Knowing this, if the election were held today, would you vote yes in favor of this measure, or no to oppose it? Total Yes59% Total No38% Q3.

23. Voter Priorities

24. Top priorities for a measure center on water quality, fire prevention and protecting natural areas. Q7. I’m going to read you some projects and benefits that could be funded by this ballot measure or elements that could be included. Please tell me how important the project or service is to you personally: is it extremely important, very important, somewhat important, or not important? Split Sample

25. Seven in ten or more also value protecting wildlife habitat and the local rural character. Q7. I’m going to read you some projects and benefits that could be funded by this ballot measure or elements that could be included. Please tell me how important the project or service is to you personally: is it extremely important, very important, somewhat important, or not important? Split Sample

26. Expanding trails and managing recreational use is relatively less urgent. Q7. I’m going to read you some projects and benefits that could be funded by this ballot measure or elements that could be included. Please tell me how important the project or service is to you personally: is it extremely important, very important, somewhat important, or not important? Split Sample

27. Messaging and Movement

28. Positive messaging brings support to the measure to nearly seven in ten, and it remains well above a majority after criticisms. Q2, Q9 & Q11. If the election were held today, would you vote yes in favor of this measure, or no to oppose it?

29. Conclusions

30. Conclusions • A measure investing in stewardship of Chaffee County’s public lands appears viable for November 2018. • Seven in ten see at least some need for funding to manage, protect and enhance public lands, though intensity is soft. Three in five would support a measure that raised their taxes up to $40 per year. • Wildfire risk is one of the most-urgent problems voters perceive, and they highly value projects that would address this issue. • Protecting water quality, wildlife habitat, and open space are also very high priorities for a measure. • A majority indicates support for a sales-tax measure. While about half of “yes” voters are softly supportive initially, positive messaging solidifies support, to 68% “yes” and 42% “definitely yes.”

32. Agenda Context Board of County CommissionersEnvision “People for Chaffee” Technical Assistance Trust for Public LandPolling Results FM3Commissioner QuestionsCommunity Questions and Comment Commissioner Closing Thoughts