In the big picture we all want to see a better Steamboat Springs - a better place not only for our visitors to visit but for all of us to live as well. We share that in common. I would hope that City Council plans to have an objective discussion about the data to support the wisest use of the $6 million. Before we spend this kind of money we should have some basis other than merely hoping things will work out.
Hi Scott W. -
I agree with you that using a portion of the Accommodation Tax to maintain some of the amenities funded by the tax is an appropriate use for it.
I do not know about the City - but the Chamber and specifically Tom Kern gets it. The re-designed EDC website acknowledges the importance of LNBs. Tom has met his share of LNBs and I know he sees them as an important part of the areas' economy and a group whose role in the economy is growing. I sincerely appreciate his efforts and that of SSCRA Board because there was a time not too long ago any discussion about LNBs was quickly dismissed as insignificant by many in Chamber leadership. We have come a long way from those days. YEA!
I think we all know that no single institution is responsible for making this a great place to live; schools, City, Chamber, Ski Corp, hospital in reality just about everyone plays a role big and small in making this a great place to live. Is it perfect? No, but no place is.
What I think we are increasing coming to realize is that great places to live are also wonderful places to visit.
I want to be careful not to be misunderstood. I am not opposed to expanding mountain/road biking opportunities in our area. I hope folks do not confuse my healthy skepticism as opposition.
I am, however, concerned that the economic opportunity associated with expanded biking opportunities are being viewed through the eyes of local enthusiasts and may distorted the magnitude of the economic benefit a wee-bit.
My perception that discussions surrounding expending biking as a means to attract a significant new number of visitors to Steamboat Springs in the summer sounds very similar to the discussions that surrounded building a municipal golf course 15 to 20 years ago. Let me explain.
Acquiring the land and building what became known as “Haymaker” was promoted as a much needed economic driver that would significant increase summer visitations to Steamboat Springs. The argument was that as a community we were falling behind and therefore losing out competitively to other mountain towns. Essentially the argument was made that “build it and they will come - you just wait and see.”
In 1994 and 1996 developing more golf options was the number one economic development priority - I know because I was the chamber staff person supporting the Steamboat Springs EDC.
We already had golf options prior to Haymaker; we simply wanted more golf. Specifically a special kind of golf - a "Links Course". This type of course in a beautiful mountain setting would differentiate ourselves and cause golfers to come and play golf here as opposed to Vail. The suggestion was that with this type of unique "links course" we could get listed in "Golf Digest" as a must play mountain course. I do not know if this ever happened - I do not follow golf.
Adding a municipal golf course created an additional recreational amenity but it has never become the catalysis for significantly increasing summer visitations just because we now had another golf course. It simply added to the host of amenities we already had to offer which is one of the things that makes Steamboat Springs unique - essentially something for everybody.
The primary utilization of Haymaker since it has been built has been by locals. Essentially we built ourselves a new” toy” that we wanted and got our visitors to pay for the land purchase, construction and now a part of the on-going maintenance through the Accommodations Tax.
How is the discussion now occurring about bikes that different from golf that occurred 15+ years ago? One of the differences I see is that our visitors pay a portion of Haymakers' operational cost through green fees. To be sure mountain bike trails are likely cheaper to maintain than a golf course but they still cost money. Where will this money come from? I have not heard about a plan to include tollbooths.
The vast majority of adults living in the Steamboat Springs area made the conscious choice to live here. Simply put, it was a lifestyle choice. The factors that went into this choice are as varied as the number of individuals that live here.
What role does City government play in making Steamboat Springs a great place to live? Simply put, the City needs to constantly strive to do the very best at what they are charged with doing. The City is charged with providing essential services with an unyielding commitment to be the very best steward of the public money entrusted to them.
There are very few “special” things the City needs to do when it comes to economic development beyond providing essential services to its citizenry reliably and efficiently.
In reality being a great place to live is the best economic development strategy I know of.
Hi Carrie –
There are students living in the boundaries of the SSSD-RE2 that are enrolled in one of the “on-line schools”. This collection of “on-line” enrolled students is typically accessing their “on-line” school via the internet typically from home – they are not considered “home schooling” students by the Colorado Department of Education.
For example, Adams 12-Five Star Academy and Colorado Connections Academy currently has 14 SSSD-RE-2 students enrolled. Likely there are dozens of other “on-line” schools for students. Some run by school districts and some by private vendors. There is no data I am aware of students currently living in SSSD enrolled in non-Colorado on-line schools.
If they were enrolled in an SSSD before they enrolled in the “on-line” school they are simply viewed as a student who transferred out of the district. This is the same as a student if their parents moved to San Diego.
I have often wondered how many of these kids just fall through the cracks. I would be interested in hearing of anyone’s personal experience with on-line schools if you would like to share.
Hi Scott W -
The enrollment at the two private schools in Routt County reported to the Colorado Department of Education as of to October 2012:
Christian Heritage= 66
Lowell Whiteman =56
Combined private school enrollment at Christian Heritage/ Lowell Whiteman:
2008=274
2009=243
2010=214
2011=127
Home Schooling:
2007=33
2008=27
2009=26
2010=26
2011 =24
2012=22
The question about affordable housing is not so much of a question of "When?" but a question of "Why?" The question we should be asking ourselves at this time is the role the City has in providing access to affordable housing for the low-income individuals/families. To put it simply, Is providing affordable housing an essential city service.
I can argue this question both ways and have in the past, however, I am leaning toward the position that affordable housing is not an essential city service. I think the City needs to be careful that it does not have and/or adopt policies that exacerbate the issue, but this is not the City's problem to solve. When the City gets involved with strategies/tactics in trying to solve this issue all sorts of silly things happen.
What do others think.
Scott Wedel is correct when he states that City Council, "came dangerously close to making a final decision to sell the existing building without having solid plans for replacements. "
This has been a rough couple of months for many of us that were publicly opposed to the sale. Thanks to everyone for their support and words of encouragement.
In the end City Council made the right decision for the citizens of Steamboat Springs and that is what really counts.
The number of students that are enrolled out of their "home" district is available from the Colorado Department of Education website/
Based on October 2012 Student Count
Parents Live in RE-1 West Routt School District and student attends school outside of home district
District
• MAPLETON 1 =1
• ADAMS 12 FIVE STAR SCHOOLS = 4
• MOFFAT COUNTY RE: NO 1 = 4
• STEAMBOAT SPRINGS RE-2 = 47
• CHARTER SCHOOL INSTITUTE = 1
Total Out of District Students = 57
Parents live in RE-3 South Routt School District and students attends school outside of home district
• STEAMBOAT SPRINGS RE-2 = 59
Parents live in RE-2 Steamboat Springs RE-2 School District and students attends school outside of home district.
• MAPLETON 1 = 1
• ADAMS 12 FIVE STAR SCHOOLS =14
• DOUGLAS COUNTY RE 1 = 1
• EAGLE COUNTY RE 50=2
• BRANSON REORGANIZED 82 = 2
• FOWLER R-4J=1
• HAYDEN RE-1 = 8
• SOUTH ROUTT RE 3=3
• JULESBURG RE-1=1
Scott Ford 1 day, 23 hours ago on Sally TeStrake: Broadening our focus
Sally TeStrake: Broadening our focus
In the big picture we all want to see a better Steamboat Springs - a better place not only for our visitors to visit but for all of us to live as well. We share that in common. I would hope that City Council plans to have an objective discussion about the data to support the wisest use of the $6 million. Before we spend this kind of money we should have some basis other than merely hoping things will work out.
Scott Ford 6 days, 19 hours ago on Search for biking bucks
Search for biking bucks
Hi Scott W. - I agree with you that using a portion of the Accommodation Tax to maintain some of the amenities funded by the tax is an appropriate use for it.
I do not know about the City - but the Chamber and specifically Tom Kern gets it. The re-designed EDC website acknowledges the importance of LNBs. Tom has met his share of LNBs and I know he sees them as an important part of the areas' economy and a group whose role in the economy is growing. I sincerely appreciate his efforts and that of SSCRA Board because there was a time not too long ago any discussion about LNBs was quickly dismissed as insignificant by many in Chamber leadership. We have come a long way from those days. YEA! I think we all know that no single institution is responsible for making this a great place to live; schools, City, Chamber, Ski Corp, hospital in reality just about everyone plays a role big and small in making this a great place to live. Is it perfect? No, but no place is.
What I think we are increasing coming to realize is that great places to live are also wonderful places to visit.
Scott Ford 1 week ago on Search for biking bucks
Search for biking bucks
I want to be careful not to be misunderstood. I am not opposed to expanding mountain/road biking opportunities in our area. I hope folks do not confuse my healthy skepticism as opposition.
I am, however, concerned that the economic opportunity associated with expanded biking opportunities are being viewed through the eyes of local enthusiasts and may distorted the magnitude of the economic benefit a wee-bit.
My perception that discussions surrounding expending biking as a means to attract a significant new number of visitors to Steamboat Springs in the summer sounds very similar to the discussions that surrounded building a municipal golf course 15 to 20 years ago. Let me explain.
Acquiring the land and building what became known as “Haymaker” was promoted as a much needed economic driver that would significant increase summer visitations to Steamboat Springs. The argument was that as a community we were falling behind and therefore losing out competitively to other mountain towns. Essentially the argument was made that “build it and they will come - you just wait and see.”
In 1994 and 1996 developing more golf options was the number one economic development priority - I know because I was the chamber staff person supporting the Steamboat Springs EDC. We already had golf options prior to Haymaker; we simply wanted more golf. Specifically a special kind of golf - a "Links Course". This type of course in a beautiful mountain setting would differentiate ourselves and cause golfers to come and play golf here as opposed to Vail. The suggestion was that with this type of unique "links course" we could get listed in "Golf Digest" as a must play mountain course. I do not know if this ever happened - I do not follow golf.
Adding a municipal golf course created an additional recreational amenity but it has never become the catalysis for significantly increasing summer visitations just because we now had another golf course. It simply added to the host of amenities we already had to offer which is one of the things that makes Steamboat Springs unique - essentially something for everybody.
The primary utilization of Haymaker since it has been built has been by locals. Essentially we built ourselves a new” toy” that we wanted and got our visitors to pay for the land purchase, construction and now a part of the on-going maintenance through the Accommodations Tax.
How is the discussion now occurring about bikes that different from golf that occurred 15+ years ago? One of the differences I see is that our visitors pay a portion of Haymakers' operational cost through green fees. To be sure mountain bike trails are likely cheaper to maintain than a golf course but they still cost money. Where will this money come from? I have not heard about a plan to include tollbooths.
Scott Ford 1 week, 2 days ago on Rob Douglas: How not to build a police station
Rob Douglas: How not to build a police station
Well said Rob!
The vast majority of adults living in the Steamboat Springs area made the conscious choice to live here. Simply put, it was a lifestyle choice. The factors that went into this choice are as varied as the number of individuals that live here.
What role does City government play in making Steamboat Springs a great place to live? Simply put, the City needs to constantly strive to do the very best at what they are charged with doing. The City is charged with providing essential services with an unyielding commitment to be the very best steward of the public money entrusted to them.
There are very few “special” things the City needs to do when it comes to economic development beyond providing essential services to its citizenry reliably and efficiently.
In reality being a great place to live is the best economic development strategy I know of.
Scott Ford 1 month, 1 week ago on Heritage Christian School seeks community support to survive budget crisis
Heritage Christian School seeks community support to survive budget crisis
Hi Carrie – There are students living in the boundaries of the SSSD-RE2 that are enrolled in one of the “on-line schools”. This collection of “on-line” enrolled students is typically accessing their “on-line” school via the internet typically from home – they are not considered “home schooling” students by the Colorado Department of Education.
For example, Adams 12-Five Star Academy and Colorado Connections Academy currently has 14 SSSD-RE-2 students enrolled. Likely there are dozens of other “on-line” schools for students. Some run by school districts and some by private vendors. There is no data I am aware of students currently living in SSSD enrolled in non-Colorado on-line schools.
If they were enrolled in an SSSD before they enrolled in the “on-line” school they are simply viewed as a student who transferred out of the district. This is the same as a student if their parents moved to San Diego.
I have often wondered how many of these kids just fall through the cracks. I would be interested in hearing of anyone’s personal experience with on-line schools if you would like to share.
Scott Ford 1 month, 1 week ago on Heritage Christian School seeks community support to survive budget crisis
Heritage Christian School seeks community support to survive budget crisis
Hi Scott W - The enrollment at the two private schools in Routt County reported to the Colorado Department of Education as of to October 2012: Christian Heritage= 66 Lowell Whiteman =56
Combined private school enrollment at Christian Heritage/ Lowell Whiteman: 2008=274 2009=243 2010=214 2011=127
Home Schooling: 2007=33 2008=27 2009=26 2010=26 2011 =24 2012=22
Scott Ford 2 months, 3 weeks ago on Do you think affordable housing once again will become a focus of Steamboat Springs city policy and concern?
Do you think affordable housing once again will become a focus of Steamboat Springs city policy and concern?
The question about affordable housing is not so much of a question of "When?" but a question of "Why?" The question we should be asking ourselves at this time is the role the City has in providing access to affordable housing for the low-income individuals/families. To put it simply, Is providing affordable housing an essential city service.
I can argue this question both ways and have in the past, however, I am leaning toward the position that affordable housing is not an essential city service. I think the City needs to be careful that it does not have and/or adopt policies that exacerbate the issue, but this is not the City's problem to solve. When the City gets involved with strategies/tactics in trying to solve this issue all sorts of silly things happen. What do others think.
Scott Ford 3 months, 1 week ago on Routt County agriculture advocate recipient of Hazie Werner Award
Routt County agriculture advocate recipient of Hazie Werner Award
Marsha is awesome. Recognition of her talents and commitment to this area is well deserved. Marsha makes living here better.
Scott Ford 3 months, 1 week ago on Steamboat Springs City Council cancels proposed sale of downtown public safety building
Steamboat Springs City Council cancels proposed sale of downtown public safety building
Scott Wedel is correct when he states that City Council, "came dangerously close to making a final decision to sell the existing building without having solid plans for replacements. "
This has been a rough couple of months for many of us that were publicly opposed to the sale. Thanks to everyone for their support and words of encouragement.
In the end City Council made the right decision for the citizens of Steamboat Springs and that is what really counts.
Scott Ford 3 months, 1 week ago on Steamboat Springs educators concerned by early drafts of Senate bill seeking major changes to school finance formula
Steamboat Springs educators concerned by early drafts of Senate bill seeking major changes to school finance formula
The number of students that are enrolled out of their "home" district is available from the Colorado Department of Education website/ Based on October 2012 Student Count
Parents Live in RE-1 West Routt School District and student attends school outside of home district District • MAPLETON 1 =1 • ADAMS 12 FIVE STAR SCHOOLS = 4 • MOFFAT COUNTY RE: NO 1 = 4 • STEAMBOAT SPRINGS RE-2 = 47 • CHARTER SCHOOL INSTITUTE = 1
Total Out of District Students = 57
Parents live in RE-3 South Routt School District and students attends school outside of home district • STEAMBOAT SPRINGS RE-2 = 59
Parents live in RE-2 Steamboat Springs RE-2 School District and students attends school outside of home district. • MAPLETON 1 = 1 • ADAMS 12 FIVE STAR SCHOOLS =14 • DOUGLAS COUNTY RE 1 = 1 • EAGLE COUNTY RE 50=2 • BRANSON REORGANIZED 82 = 2 • FOWLER R-4J=1 • HAYDEN RE-1 = 8 • SOUTH ROUTT RE 3=3 • JULESBURG RE-1=1
Total Out of District Students = 33