USA – Did you know that today is election day? I didn’t, as I just returned from my darkness retreat.
Jokes aside, while most of the attention has been paid to the presidential and congressional elections, various issues on state and local levels could impact the future of the ski industry in the United States. Here’s a recap of five ballot questions happening across the United States today.
We’ll update this post with the results of each election.
Aspen, Colorado: The hot-button topic in Pitkin County right now is whether to widen the airport’s runway and move it 80 feet to the west. Currently, the antiquated runway at Aspen/Pitkin County Airport doesn’t meet FAA requirements. If it stays that way, the Airport would lose federal funding, and the county would have to pay for it.
Two questions involving this Airport are on the Pitkin County ballot: 200 would remove Pitkin County’s ability to alter the airport’s runway, and Referendum 1C would allow Pitkin County to change the runway.
According to Aspen Public Radio, locals fear that changing the runway would bring in bigger aircraft, which they fear are noisier and produce higher emissions. For tourists, the good news of a change is that larger planes would likely become more common at Aspen Airport. Aspen Snowmass is requesting that locals vote yes on 1C and vote no on Referendum 200.
For more information about this contentious issue, read this article from the Colorado Sun or watch the video below from Wendover Productions.
Update 11/7: A majority of Aspen residents voted for Referendum 1C and against Referendum 200.
Casper, Wyoming: Voters in Casper will vote on whether to add a six-cent sales tax that would pay for up to eight projects. According to Oil City News, eight projects are being presented to voters, one of which (Proposition 3) asks whether the city should add a new quad chairlift and lighting for night skiing to the Hogadon Basin ski area. Last winter, Hogadon Basin had to close early due to a mechanical issue with its chairlift. The new part was quite pricey, so they’re starting to wonder whether it’s best to move on from this chairlift. Casper residents can vote for all of them, some of them, one of the projects, or none of them. The question is whether Casper residents want to pay for it via a sales tax.
Update 11/7: A majority voted against the new chairlift.
Maine: Question 4 asks voters whether to approve a $30 million bond to develop or maintain trails across the state. According to the Natural Resources Council of Maine, trails in Maine need repair due to extreme weather and record usage post-pandemic. This has received the endorsement of various organizations and companies in Maine, like AMC and L.L. Bean.
The bond would offer $7.5 million in funding annually for four years. While this has mostly been promoted for adding trails for groups like snowmobilers, ATV users, bikers, and hikers, it seems likely that ski areas or ski trail networks could partake in this.
Opponents point out the heavy price tag, which could be used for more pressing issues in the state, and the potential removal of railroad tracks, which would be challenging to restore if they were removed.
Update 11/7: A majority of Maine residents voted for Question 4.
South Lake Tahoe: A lack of affordable housing and the rise of Airbnbs have created housing crises across the United States, especially in ski towns. Finding housing in the Tahoe region is a significant challenge for workers and middle-class individuals. One of the core reasons for this is the number of vacant homes, with the U.S. Census estimating in 2022 that 44% of homes in South Lake Tahoe were vacant most of the time.
Measure N proposes a tax on homeowners who leave their estate vacant for more than 183 days of the year. The cost for the first year would be $3000, and then become $6000 or more in the years after. The tax revenue would go towards infrastructure projects, like roads and housing.
However, this proposal faces vast opposition from groups like the Tahoe Chamber and the South Lake Tahoe Lodging Association. They believe that these homeowners shouldn’t be required to rent their homes, which seems like one of the goals of these measures. They also fear that these homeowners would then sell their homes.
Update 11/7: South Lake Tahoe residents voted NO on Measure N.
Telluride: San Miguel Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) Ballot Issue 3A will ask voters in San Miguel County whether to approve funding the free town gondola starting in 2028. Currently, funding for the gondola will stop at the end of 2027. According to the Telluride Daily Planet, the funding would come from increases in sales, lodging, and property taxes. In addition, Telluride Ski & Golf will give SMART $1.5 million a year for the gondola, which they’ll raise by adding a 4.5% fee on passes. These funds would go towards operating the current gondola and constructing a new one, as the old one is reaching the end of its operational lifespan.
The ballot would also allow for more buses for the SMART network, further improving public transit.
Update 11/7: San Migeul residents narrowly voted for Ballot Issue 3A.
Image/Video Credits: Visit Telluride (Featured Image), Wendover Productions, City of Casper, Wyoming, News Center Maine, KCRA 3, Telluride Ski Resort
