Only about a dozen people attended a noon public presentation on Aug. 5 that showcased the current and planned expenditures of 6E funds. To accommodate people who could not attend during the day, the forum was repeated on Tuesday evening via Zoom.

According to the publicity about the forums, the purpose of the meetings was to receive public comment to help determine priorities, potential projects, and policy solutions aimed at expanding access to safe, affordable housing; increasing the availability of high-quality childcare options; supporting local working families; and building long-term community resilience.

In 2022, Estes Park voters approved a 3.5% tax extension on overnight lodging stays collected to support workforce housing and childcare initiatives in the Estes Valley. The 6E tax is only collected by lodging operations, including motels, hotels, campgrounds, and short-term rentals, in the Estes Park Marketing District.

The special funding, which does not sunset, is predicted to raise more than $5 million in 2025. Of this, 80% is designated for workforce housing and is administered by the Estes Park Housing Authority, managed by Scott Moulton, executive director of the organization, and  20% is earmarked for childcare, managed by Carlie Bangs, the town’s housing and childcare manager.

The most recent development with the 6E monies is the Estes Valley Childcare Fund, designed to help middle-income families pay for childcare. Seven applications have already been received for the upcoming school year, Bangs said. She predicted that up to 15 families can benefit from the service, which is funded with $150,000 of this year’s 6E receipts.

To participate in the childcare fund, families can earn no more than 80 to 110% of the Area Median Income. In addition, at least one adult in the household must work in the Estes Valley for a minimum of 30 hours per week, the child must be five years old or younger, and the child must be enrolled in a local licensed childcare setting.

Low-income households can apply for childcare tuition from the Estes Valley Investment in Childhood Success, for which $200,000 of 6E funds have been allocated.

Both the childcare fund and childcare tuition grant programs require a 10% to 15% copayment of the total household’s monthly income. Resources for childcare providers, including stability funding, are also available.

During the meeting, Bangs said future plans include expanding the number of families served each year and the number of childcare facilities.

Moulton told the group that the housing authority continues to focus on acquiring property for future development.

Other EPHA resources for families include the Workforce Housing Assistance Fund, which helps residents who work in the valley with up to $400 per month or $4,800 for qualifying renters if they pay more than 35% of their income in rent.

Another resource is the Trailhead Downpayment Assistance program, an equity-share agreement that can provide up to 20% of the cost of any home in the Estes Valley selling for $600,000 or less.

Public feedback is encouraged and is also being accepted online through a feedback form.

Childcare fund applications are available through Larimer County’s Child Care for Families program.

In addition to the in-person and online forums, the Town distributed a survey seeking community input on how the 6E funding should be allocated. The details of that survey are being analyzed and will be shared with the public as soon as they are available.