Since Airbnb launched back in 2008, the short-term “home-sharing” model has utterly changed the hospitality industry…
Author: Bill Hudson
Bill Hudson began sharing his opinions in the Pagosa Daily Post in 2004 and can't seem to break the habit. He claims that, in Pagosa Springs, opinions are like pickup trucks: everybody has one.
EDITORIAL: Will Gambling Addicts Pay Our Water Debts?
Proposition DD is predicted to raise $29 million in annual taxes, via a 10% tax on casino profits — meaning that the newly legalized casino profits would be in the $300 million range, every year?
EDITORIAL: The Pain and Confusion of Affordable Housing Solutions
Several other neighbors had testified at the meeting, also asking the Commissioners to reduce the density recommendation…
EDITORIAL: Are Tax Breaks Making Colorado Broke? Part Fifteen
We shared this 1883 plat of downtown Pagosa in an earlier installment, showing a relaxed series of meandering, park-like walking paths spread across the travertine meadow…
EDITORIAL: Are Tax Breaks Making Colorado Broke? Part Fourteen
Common sense might tell us, for example, that awarding millions of dollars in tax incentives to a couple of private developers is totally unfair to the rest of the business community…
EDITORIAL: Are Tax Breaks Making Colorado Broke? Part Thirteen
“I did hear a story of a developer essentially taking out a loan that wasn’t really necessary, paying it back but somehow charging himself, and then the URA, 20% interest…”
EDITORIAL: Are Tax Breaks Making Colorado Broke? Part Twelve
I had the pleasure of sitting down with Pagosa Springs Town Manager Andrea Phillips yesterday, and learned that she had recently attended a symposium in Montrose, CO…
EDITORIAL: Bureau of Land Mis-Management?
The BLM oversees 245 million acres — about one-tenth of America’s land base — and more subsurface mineral estate than any other government agency…
EDITORIAL: Are Tax Breaks Making Colorado Broke? Part Eleven
By 2010, there were so many RDAs in California that state and local government entities were actually seeing less tax revenue, instead of more…
EDITORIAL: Are Tax Breaks Making Colorado Broke? Part Ten
Apparently, the balloonists had just released a trial balloon to see which way the wind was blowing, and how fast. That’s extremely useful information for a hot air balloonist, I’m sure…
EDITORIAL: Are Tax Breaks Making Colorado Broke? Part Nine
Apparently, “getting started” meant a search for taxpayer subsidies to help fund a massive expansion project…
EDITORIAL: Are Tax Breaks Making Colorado Broke? Part Eight
It’s widely believed that TIF financing and and government ‘incentives’ provided to large corporations are a ‘solution’ to our worsening infrastructure…
EDITORIAL: Are Tax Breaks Making Colorado Broke? Part Seven
At this point in Mr. Searle’s explanation, he was interrupted by Mr. Dronet… jumping in before Mr. Searle could dig the hole any deeper?
EDITORIAL: Are Tax Breaks Making Colorado Broke? Part Six
For those who wanted to hear that millions of dollars in Tax Increment Financing (TIF) incentives would create a virtual economic revolution in Pagosa Springs… there was plenty to get excited about…
EDITORIAL: Are Tax Breaks Making Colorado Broke? Part Five
This sounds like exactly the same type of mixed-use development being proposed by Mr. Dronet — except with highway frontage, and centrally located in the scenic uptown area…
EDITORIAL: Are Tax Breaks Making Colorado Broke? Part Four
When a developer is planning to create a new subdivision, there seem to be two basic approaches. One approach is to do a competent market study to make sure there’s an unfilled demand…
EDITORIAL: Are Tax Breaks Making Colorado Broke? Part Three
Mr. Searle sat quietly for most of the evening and allowed Mr. Dronet to handle the presentation of the proposed 27-acre project…
EDITORIAL: Are Tax Breaks Making Colorado Broke? Part Two
If you look at the map of Enterprise Zones, it appears that most of Archuleta County qualifies as a “distressed area”…
EDITORIAL: Are Tax Breaks Making Colorado Broke? Part One
“I think there may be litigation regardless of which direction we decide to go,” Moreno said….