[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6117476,"mediaKeyId","2730269-439c479c4c50ccf1a4cee809f1d2cce3","parentId",2730269,"title","Woodland Park sales tax receipts up 5% in January; lodging tax down nearly 30%","audioSeconds",113,"startMs",2093000,"endMs",2206000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2730269-439c479c4c50ccf1a4cee809f1d2cce3&start=2093&end=2206","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2730269-439c479c4c50ccf1a4cee809f1d2cce3/thumbnail_2093000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6117476/Woodland-Park/Teller-County/Colorado/Woodland-Park-sales-tax-receipts-up-5-in-January-lodging-tax-down-nearly-30","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6117476-f46580760c2de770a3e06760f82bcbbc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771202293&Signature=eFQ9nVWPPTW9sP2Mlj-9iyNkU9bgiIz0t1BNuQgMBK-sUKQRgVApJTK0iuXWTkm5btnAZxw0ta113gegGrJ3yuatOZtxAKmFRHTqgciYpGrbK6ZgXMfXAYpEDWknLy59V~m8qM8V18doIFH7JAWvKDMJ9DxgpTN1GZfAXjlaksrbzaALpbajzB8MOJZPZcK6wsrfNmpH~6dOTuOwkDlaYPlO-YFMzzuls8rHnzCcYB3ES8f6zyNKBQW4zJomsnXZ5bcH-Wf83f-z-GMaGhjnZaLhItdu1Fm-edCpcGyKR-TGbJ0ksF0b441hRLMKR1tZSb7ezRvmx109RGnwbL0MTg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Woodland Park","date","2025-03-21T14:33:25Z","article","City staff reported a 5% year‑over‑year increase in Woodland Park sales tax receipts for January 2025, with the city receiving $603,333 (an increase of $28,695 compared with January 2024), according to the March 20 meeting presentation.

The presenter noted the state’s online sales‑tax reporting had timing irregularities that affect month‑to‑month comparisons; year‑to‑date and month‑to‑date figures coincided for January. City staff also reported lodging tax revenue was down 29.4% for January and said they will continue to include the line in monthly reports for a few more months to monitor trends related to short‑term rental changes.

Council members asked to keep lodging tax on the report through mid‑year to evaluate whether the decline stabilizes. City staff said they will revisit whether to continue showing lodging tax each month after June or July.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting | March 20, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","City staff reported January 2025 sales tax receipts increased about 5% year-over-year to approximately $603,333; lodging tax for the month was down 29.4 percent, and staff will continue monitoring reporting timing issues tied to the state's online platform.","taxTitle","Woodland Park, Teller County, Colorado","taxId",45828,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6117482,"Woodland Park council agrees to open applications to fill vacant council seat; April timeline set",248,4286000,4534000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2730269-439c479c4c50ccf1a4cee809f1d2cce3&start=4286&end=4534","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2730269-439c479c4c50ccf1a4cee809f1d2cce3/thumbnail_4286000.jpg","/articles/6117482/Woodland-Park/Teller-County/Colorado/Woodland-Park-council-agrees-to-open-applications-to-fill-vacant-council-seat-April-timeline-set","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6117482-5b6d0292e7fd96b9fb6c4ad03f01ffa5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771202293&Signature=gO5XxuIr~PGF~p9O-A18gseHXh541tAmcN3fEChSzNkEpHBVObZhyctgNifLM1wh1KvwuIbk2fIMmjS87e8w-OxvW0wAw8CMGPc5vAQf5IwwINCct~COCh6ngiJ~E7BGn1ApWcZJXu5ZbpOHqFN-ot7ps~lcx51ay12kvqlDxJwgsu-r5MpYXtC7-ZQFcH3beYYGeARr2qeZiGQ6QEAyMlcF1giGEO9MDR6TYaB~8XgGnyp1tSww32JpPzDqKeWppmsAU6NTXm-mGc2agxh3kskeWvb-4PgMZqdW31EdCg3G~blt8crHwT3HI7zE8YoVBVQO~1IetR3zXwm8SEdsbg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City Council members on March 20 agreed to open an application process to fill a vacant council seat and set a timeline to review candidates at the April 17 council meeting.

Mayor Kelly Case and several councilmembers discussed options for filling the vacancy — including direct appointment, interviews of applicants, or a special election. Councilmember Carol (name presented in meeting as \"Carol\") said an open application and interview process was the best approach for fairness and broader community input.

\"My recommendation, if it's a consensus of the council, is to open the applications and close them at a date certain that we decide on tonight,\" Carol said. Council agreed to advertise the vacancy and accept applications. The group set the application closure so that candidate materials can be included in the April 17 packet; staff suggested an internal deadline that would allow the packet to be prepared (Wednesday, April 9 or April 11 was discussed as a target for closing applications so packet materials can be assembled).

Council also noted that state law allows councils to break tie votes on appointments by a game of chance if necessary; Mayor Case referenced past use of that option. Council instructed staff to advertise the vacancy, accept applications and prepare materials for interviews and packet inclusion for the April 17 meeting.","Council members agreed on March 20 to advertise and accept applications to fill a vacant council seat and to set interviews and a decision at the April 17 meeting, with an application deadline set to allow packet preparation.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6117487,"Woodland Park celebrates $90,000 in community donations to preserve 20-acre Avenger Open Space",603,538000,1141000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2730269-439c479c4c50ccf1a4cee809f1d2cce3&start=538&end=1141","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2730269-439c479c4c50ccf1a4cee809f1d2cce3/thumbnail_538000.jpg","/articles/6117487/Woodland-Park/Teller-County/Colorado/Woodland-Park-celebrates-90000-in-community-donations-to-preserve-20-acre-Avenger-Open-Space","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6117487-62abf0b364455d796e5fd356d21388fc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771202293&Signature=TDAncEVGOCKVKsRXr~25y-1h583IZLh9exexBghgRDKRjzm45-mKGLrpu9NTYzPOwpNsIMSA-6mgkmIw89vdPNSnTZYCO3RHzZwMowt1HmUlXESxzlzFxJfHBfYilMnwl0Rkcnf~8EwR1jYY1TI7DMXyScqudZpdZM-ypJbMc4bj-yItalMEEY6Fg1QIT4d~Q6Q88dM~1lmp49S97bJAgLPdMUBusCoqYx49TyQVW-mCrT4~wOGUzwpNNLS3j~k5AVff-RFB2NJC7bU-fbPUo45NshxJw2wRWpmrZL7lHgwZtTLP3VMgVKLKJLFlxjGleWfcYxktq~s9-E3GjsD1qA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of Woodland Park on March 20 recognized community donors who contributed $90,000 to help protect the 20‑acre Avenger Open Space, preserving the site in perpetuity and leveraging grant funding for conservation and future trail and restoration work.

Jeff Webb, chair of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, told the council the Avenger property is the largest open‑space purchase in the city’s history and that private donations, combined with a Great Outdoors Colorado (GoCo) grant and city funds, made the protection possible. \"Without their donations, this property would have been lost forever,\" Webb said.

Webb outlined next steps: staff are coordinating with the U.S. Forest Service on a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) environmental assessment and permitting, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board is developing a conservation easement to protect the land in perpetuity, and the city will engage in master planning for future uses. Webb also announced a wildfire mitigation project planned for July 11–20 that will target about 30 acres and be conducted with Team Rubicon; Webb said the work is intended to improve habitat and reduce wildfire risk while being environmentally focused.

Webb said donations will be used for trail building and restoration work beyond the amount required by the grant. He thanked partner organizations that participated in the project, including Palmer Land Conservancy, Teller Trail Team and Great Outdoors Colorado.

Council and staff emphasized the project's long‑term conservation goals and encouraged continued community donations. Webb noted the city remains open to additional donations, which are tax deductible and can be submitted to the city or Palmer Land Conservancy.","Parks advisory board chair and donors were recognized for raising $90,000 to complement grant funding and secure a 20-acre open space; next steps include NEPA coordination with U.S. Forest Service, a conservation easement, master planning and a wildfire mitigation project July 11–20.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6117491,"City proceeds with enforcement of short‑term rental ordinance after court denies injunction",2853,2301000,5154000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2730269-439c479c4c50ccf1a4cee809f1d2cce3&start=2301&end=5154","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2730269-439c479c4c50ccf1a4cee809f1d2cce3/thumbnail_2301000.jpg","/articles/6117491/Woodland-Park/Teller-County/Colorado/City-proceeds-with-enforcement-of-shortterm-rental-ordinance-after-court-denies-injunction","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6117491-17e076211be62976e77e4f16dced9cb4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771202293&Signature=jByGSIpmB~mypJvPANw8JpXjy5P1V0p5tWPVkSg2lO3ABNCtvQhcFwEgt5C3vIpknFgzbTafWVLtm4GlXCdCCzI7zISLKgZ0GGakIv5T~1q5yb-Obk8vtQT0e-1mdqvM0Kmubbk7wnFi6SaReuJHOsQ3ic01x7RDvCF7QSAQKdILTpKvn2YOFy2xgyyeIuOu7z4RR6BtGY9~4SFO8Avcq96E0tIvdBN1ItIp0GFY-e1KFh~Ex-fkUGXy7KPc1AB~KkxDeXskoK~L47izuiXrgLPmRMH1hmoBVGSIJ2z7FxGBZavK6fTyCeDIR0V~sHV8mKGwwORgE0dVaNBx73Z0Sw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Teller County District Court judge denied a preliminary injunction on March 14 in the lawsuit challenging Woodland Park’s short‑term rental ordinance, Ordinance 14‑69, and City Attorney Jeff Wilson told the March 20 City Council meeting that the city may now enforce the rule.

\"The court entered an order denying plaintiff's motion for preliminary injunction,\" Wilson said, adding that the city is still awaiting the court’s ruling on a separate declaratory judgment claim that challenges the ordinance's validity.

At the meeting, several Woodland Park residents spoke during public comment to object to how the city is notifying owners who previously operated short‑term rentals. Mary Sekowsky, who identified herself as representing the Teller County STR Alliance, said city employees taped large \"cease and desist\" signs to doors at properties the city believes are in violation and that tenants or caretakers discovered the postings. \"Would that be right? I feel this was a highly unprofessional action by the city and an unnecessary action towards the citizens to do this,\" Sekowsky said.

Andrew Smith, a property owner who said he uses his Woodland Park house for personal vacations, said he found a sign on his door and was told the sign could not be removed. The city manager indicated staff will follow up with property owners who called about the notices.

City Manager Erin Vassalotti confirmed the city has sent certified letters to owners and that staff also posted signs on doors; the postings include a phone number for owners to contact the city. \"We did send certified letters to every single owner as well as put those signs up,\" Vassalotti said. \"The phone number to the city to contact is on the papers that were posted to the doors, and we've already received, I believe, 30 phone calls from those.\" She said the city will continue monitoring Airbnb and VRBO for new listings.

Wilson told the council the court’s denial of the preliminary injunction allows the city to enforce the ordinance at this time; the declaratory‑judgment portion of the case remains pending. If the court later denies defendants’ motion to dismiss that claim, the case will proceed through discovery and could ultimately be decided on summary judgment or trial.

Residents asked the council to consider more discreet or owner‑focused notice methods; Sekowsky suggested mailing letters to owners rather than door postings and questioned the propriety of the public signs when some properties are no longer being rented short‑term. Council members asked staff to follow up on individual owner inquiries and affirmed they would seek staff recommendations on enforcement procedures.","Teller County District Court denied a motion for preliminary injunction in the challenge to Ordinance 14-69; the city has begun enforcement actions including certified letters and door postings, prompting public concern about the method of notice.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6117496,"Woodland Park council adopts higher water and sewer tap fees effective April 1",1532,2733000,4265000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2730269-439c479c4c50ccf1a4cee809f1d2cce3&start=2733&end=4265","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2730269-439c479c4c50ccf1a4cee809f1d2cce3/thumbnail_2733000.jpg","/articles/6117496/Woodland-Park/Teller-County/Colorado/Woodland-Park-council-adopts-higher-water-and-sewer-tap-fees-effective-April-1","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6117496-b9bfba7ad1f578a0a01873b14b556d70/orig.mp4?Expires=1771202293&Signature=QWNdpm4qwJolCX68nydb9dvrYiwu4TLCJZ33tbdivf-ol7dk~FwJ0pNNEn68yWVHFCkZY6ZPmkktqGiZdhvweM7pUZlw5p3hwKaFgt6OXwsLwXdZoHuwvWlitk56OTC6Dzzl2x5KmZ7YaEKCQrwhIaVsrPwneHWb3XTDry8fyVjBQyZ7B-TYpDayvk3V1Fi8xTYoOBFjrUDMbqbSQEBmTiyo4QVaNMDMFKY-KBjshCUQGH0HgGK1DWX~4zr8d-epJUr29~IkT~dnAAjudq0pNTL19xF6s6pV-9zXwnAsRxUoUeiT~wWIyfeSbDRmPloBIAnCLO65Z9hFmVCuO5W6cw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Woodland Park’s City Council voted 6-0 on March 20 to adopt Resolution 931, Series 2025, raising water and sewer plant investment (tap) fees, with the increases effective April 1.

Public Works Director Kip Wiley told the council the resolution would raise tap fees to support planned capital projects including a reservoir, water treatment plant upgrades and conveyance capacity work tied to the Homestake pipeline. \"Bottom line up front, the resolution 9 31 is asking for a 13% increase in tap fees and sewer and sewer tap fees as well, water and sewer,\" Wiley said during his presentation.

The resolution follows an annual assessment process required by municipal code; Wiley walked the council through spreadsheets showing past capital spending, projected capital needs (including a $1.7 million reservoir component and a $2.5 million Gold Hill tank), and fund-balance projections. The utility advisory committee reviewed the materials and recommended approval.

Council members pressed staff for context. One councilmember asked, \"15% seems pretty high. What what's driving that?\" Wiley replied that recent years and planned capital needs — especially reservoir-related debt and treatment-plant work — have pushed the need for larger upfront fee adjustments and said the increases are intended to keep rate changes steadier over time rather than fluctuate dramatically year to year.

Stakeholders in the audience urged continued outreach and technical review. Resident Skip House told the council he and other industry stakeholders would like a clearer nexus explanation and suggested staff and the utility advisory committee work with a small stakeholder group to explain fee calculations and timing to builders and property owners. Wiley and council agreed to route the more technical review to the Utility Advisory Committee so industry members can review the assumptions.

Councilmember roll call on the final motion listed McKay, Harvey, Jones, Smith, Case and one other member as voting \"yes\"; the motion carried 6-0. The council did not specify a mover or seconder in the public record for the motion to adopt the resolution.

The council packet and Wiley's slides (as described at the meeting) show a multi-year projection that assumes a higher tap fee increase in 2025 and 2026 with steps down in later years; Wiley said the city’s code allows an annual April 1 inflation adjustment as well. Wiley noted the city has been saving to pay for capital where possible and that projections assume moderate tap sales over the next two decades.

Council directed staff and the Utility Advisory Committee to provide clearer guidance to industry stakeholders about how the city calculates tap fees and to consider timing for publishing projected changes so builders and property owners can plan around the April 1 adjustment.","The City Council approved Resolution 931, Series 2025, raising water and sewer plant investment (tap) fees, effective April 1, after a presentation by Public Works Director Kip Wiley and questions from council and local stakeholders.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Woodland Park sales tax receipts up 5% in January; lodging tax down nearly 30%

Woodland Park council agrees to open applications to fill vacant council seat; April timeline set

Woodland Park celebrates $90,000 in community donations to preserve 20-acre Avenger Open Space

City proceeds with enforcement of short‑term rental ordinance after court denies injunction

Woodland Park council adopts higher water and sewer tap fees effective April 1