By Shannon Lukens.
More than $7.3 million in local sales tax revenue is being invested into Routt County schools for this school year, according to the Steamboat Springs Education Fund Board. Funds are generated from the half-cent city sales tax, originally approved by Steamboat voters in 1993. It was expanded to all Routt county schools in 2008. Voters approved another ten years for the tax in 2018.
More details are below.
Steamboat Springs Education Fund Board Press Release; Jan. 13, 2026.
$7.3 Million in Local Sales Tax Revenue Invested in Routt County Education
More than $7.3 million in local sales tax revenue is being invested directly into public education in Routt County for the 2025-2026 school year, thanks to the continued support of local voters and the Steamboat Springs Education Fund Board (SSEF).
The SSEF’s mission is to enhance academic achievement across Routt County by investing in the people, programs, and resources that directly support students — including staff, facilities, technology, curriculum, and classroom infrastructure.
The half-cent city sales tax was originally approved by Steamboat voters in 1993 to strengthen and support public K-12 education and has been extended by strong voter approval in four subsequent elections. In 2008, voters renewed the tax and expanded the scope to include other Routt County public schools and in 2018 voters approved another ten years to 2028.
Since 1993, over $95.5M has been granted directly for public education in Routt County.
This funding provides approximately 10% of Steamboat Springs School District’s entire operating budget and has increased over time as state-level legislation has curtailed public education financing, particularly, in rural areas.
South Routt, Hayden, Steamboat Montessori, and Steamboat School Districts all received predetermined percentages of the half-cent sales tax money collected. Additionally, various community groups have been awarded nearly $290,000 for educational programming that support the district’s standards in this most recent grant cycle. These community groups include Integrated Community, Junior Achievement, Northwest Colorado Health, Partners, Rocky Mountain Youth Corp, STARS, Steamboat Dance Theater, Steamboat Reading, Steamboat Symphony Orchestra, Strings Music Festival, Undiscovered Earth, and Yampatika.
“The Education Fund Board is deeply grateful to Routt County voters for their ongoing support of this vital funding source. Together, we are investing in the future of our students and strengthening excellence of public education across our community,” said Lisa Lorenz from SSEF Board.
The Steamboat Springs Education Fund Board
https://steamboateducationfund.org/
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