County begins process to form County Revitalization Authority under state statute

County legal staff explained that the resolution before the board declares the county's initial need to create a County Revitalization Authority (CRA) under Colorado law. The presentation outlined two formation routes: a petition by 25 or more electors or unilateral action by the Board of County Commissioners to adopt an initial-need resolution followed by a public hearing and then a second resolution to formally establish the authority. "Just so the public is aware, the process to create a CRA begins either by a petition being filed by 25 or more electors or, as is the case here, the BOCC may unilaterally adopt a resolution declaring an initial need for a CRA," county legal staff said, referencing CRS 30-31-104(1)(a).

Commissioners expressed support for the tool as a way to pursue economic and workforce development without imposing a new tax. One commissioner said the CRA "gives the county the ability to do economic and workforce development" and thanked counsel for legal advisement. The board voted to approve the initial-need resolution; the next steps are publishing notice of a public hearing and, after a hearing, a second resolution that would formally establish the authority and appoint members.