Steamboat Springs, Colorado — It’s been a tense summer in the Steamboat Springs City Government. Attempts to fund a new Regional Transit Authority (RTA) have come with the goal of securing some of the funding from Steamboat Resort. While a twenty-year deal was initially agreed upon, the ski resort backed out at the last minute, leading to frustration from the City Council. The ski resort came back with a three-year deal worth $1 million per year. They ultimately formally approved the plan last week, but are still considering adding a lift ticket tax as a referendum for local voters this November. Steamboat Resort is firmly against the addition of a lift ticket tax.
Before a big City Council meeting later today, the Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation, which is owned by Alterra, is speaking out.
Steamboat Radio reports that last week, Dave Hunter, who’s the President & COO of the Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation, issued a public letter. While acknowledging they’d reached a tense point in negotiations, he said they are committed to collaborating with the community to build the region’s transportation network.
The full letter is below.
“To our community,
I know many of you have felt frustration and disappointment with Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation in recent weeks. As the leader of SSRC, I acknowledge the confusion and strain that recent negotiations have caused. Let me be clear: SSRC is not retreating from our commitment to this community, to supporting SST, or to the formation of the RTA. These efforts are vital to the future of the Yampa Valley, and we want to be a strong partner in seeing them succeed.
It was never our intent to derail progress or undermine the collaborative work that has gone into building transportation solutions throughout the entire Yampa Valley. We acknowledge that we’ve reached a point of tension, and we are committed to rebuilding trust by moving forward together.
For more than six decades, SSRC has invested—not just financially, but with time, resources, and collaboration—in honoring our heritage, celebrating local athletes, creating community programs, supporting our youth and environment, and partnering with local government and nonprofits to address community challenges. That spirit of giving back isn’t just our history, it’s what guides us into the future.
We continue to dedicate resources to preserve the fabric of this community, whether that’s working with nonprofits like STARS, SSWSC, SOS Outreach, and the Cycle Effect to expand access to outdoor recreation, standing up the Steamboat Child Care Center and supporting Boys & Girls Club so young families can thrive, or sponsoring the Routt County Fair and local Olympians. These efforts reflect our ongoing commitment to being a responsible company and engaged community partner.
While we are part of a larger company with shareholders, the people who make up SSRC are your friends and neighbors. We are the coaches, volunteers, and parents who live, work, and raise our families here. We care deeply about the entire Valley and remain stewards of what makes our community so unique and special.
We are committed to working alongside you to help our community thrive- today and for generations to come.
Dave Hunter
President & Chief Operating Officer
Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation”
The Steamboat Springs City Council is expected to meet tonight to discuss whether to officially agree to the revised deal and whether the lift ticket tax should be submitted to voters for approval. Officials from the ski resort are expected to be in attendance for what should be a drama-filled meeting.
Image Credits: Luis Olmos, Steamboat Resort
