Community Profile & Relocation Info > Demographics, Taxes, Business & General Relocation Info

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Housing Costs

Buena Vista like many Colorado communities is experiencing a growth cycle. Factors contributing to the growth are a strong Colorado economy, new public awareness of the areas favorable weather conditions, diverse recreational opportunities provided by the 14,000 ft. mountains, vast forest lands and the Arkansas River.

Due to vast amounts of National Forest and State lands, only about 17% of the land is available for development in Chaffee County. Prices vary depending on location and amenities such as trees, terrain, views, water, and utilities.

The average sale price for a home within Chaffee County was $234,471 for 2007. The median sale price was $205,000 according to statistics from the Chaffee County Board of Realtors.

Building cost can range from approximately $95 to $125 a sq. ft. depending on style, materials, quality and location. The price per sq. ft. may or may not include the land. Septic systems vary depending on type and size required. There are some subdivisions outside the city limits which provide central water and or sewer. For more information you may want to call and talk to a realtor listed in our Real Estate Membership Directory.

The growth both in tourism and relocation is also evident in a substantial increase in sales tax. The following statistics reflect that growth:

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Sales Tax

Chaffee County Sales Tax
1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005
$1,479,643	$1,834,697	$2,058,782	$2,136,644	$2,140,318	$2,245,919	$2,249,201	$2,349,929

Buena Vista Plus County Percentage Sales Tax
	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006
Jan	$66,272	$87,815	$84,382	$91,931	$94,163	$82,490	$97,197
Feb	$88,015	$98,113	$90,735	$90,069	$84,475	$89,858	$93,847
Mar	$98,441	$99,785	$105,205	$100,782	$107,398	$112,569	$113,150
Apr	$93,357	$90,874	$107,412	$92,023	$87,826	$93,675	$99,393
May	$116,435	$115,271	$107,058	$109,451	$107,683	$118,596	$129,277
June	$154,970	$159,950	$145,567	$141,629	$145,552	$146,616	$168,270
July	$146,885	$143,497	$145,489	$152,696	$153,688	$168,649	$173,326
Aug	$145,959	$143,970	$140,864	$143,375	$138,356	$150,186	$160,805
Sep	$146,345	$156,504	$117,505	$129,861	$132,435	$141,810	$162,146
Oct	$103,195	$95,744	$101,745	$118,068	$104,444	$111,200	$120,104
Nov	$92,074	$102,775	$98,262	$86,486	$92,479	$100,614	$84,335
Dec	$108,899	$127,195	$131,258	$122,018	$129,936	$139,117	$159,279
Totals	$1,360,847	$1,421,497	$1,375,487	$1,376,180	$1,378,725	$1,455,380	$1,561,129

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Chaffee County Lodging Tax

Quarters	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006
1st	$20,961	$32,522	$38,103	$34,217	$31,199	$42,487
2nd	$28,527	$39,276	$33,244	$35,605	$35,099	$61,233
3rd	$53,321	$51,901	$50,253	$49,230	$57,261	$110,061
4th	$95,158	$88,627	$96,801	$99,913	$106,069	$99,564
Totals	$206,974	$212,328	$215,501	$218,965	$229,628	$313,345

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Buena Vista Tax Information

Property Tax Mill Levies (as of 2007) R-31 School District 29.863 Town of Buena Vista 6.811 Total of other Mill Levies within Buena Vista 11.072 Total Average Combined Mill Levies within Buena Vista 60.790

Retail Sales & Use Taxes State 2.9% Buena Vista 2.0% Chaffee County 2.0% Lodging 1.9%

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Demographics

Population (approximate) Buena Vista (in city limits) 2,150 Buena Vista North County Area 2,850 Total 5,000 Chaffee County 17,000+

Employment Major source of income is: tourism, trade, prison, City & County Government, and schools

Arkansas Recreation Area Use Figures (April - September)
Activity	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006
Sightseeing	266,676	282,472	217,648	286,598	283,699	273,664	252,132
Fishing	73,057	77,100	64,823	81,416	75,465	79,836	76,631
Picknicking	44,160	44,826	33,324	47,293	42,740	45,660	42,173
Boating	301,152	343,453	194,076	283,594	301,307	301,307	311,767
Other	35,269	21,646	16,742	22,065	20,715	24,445	29,131
Interpretive	11,574	12,753	20,986	29,129	29,029	13,428	9,829
Volunteers	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Camping	22,973	24,189	14,936	23,141	17,429	19,692	28,537
Totals	754,861	806,439	602,598	861,261	741,600	758,032	750,200

Buena Vista Area Bed Count = 813

Buena Vista Area 2007 Traffic Count:
Johnson Village (Hwy 24 & 285) = 6,900 / day
Hwy 24 & Main St. = 12,000 / day

Here Princeton, Harvard, and Yale are Fourteeners not Ivy Leaguers.

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Business Relocation Info

GENERAL INFORMATION

1. There is no requirement for a generic Colorado business license. The hot line for small business in Colorado is 800-333-7798 or http://www.state.co.us/oed/bao/index.html.
2. New businesses that require sales tax licenses can pick up business packets at the county building in Buena Vista at 112 Linderman or by calling the state.
3. Buena Vista Business licenses need to be applied for at the Town Hall.
4. Building and Zoning information is available at the Town Hall (719) 395-8643 for Buena Vista and at the Court House in Salida for the county (719)539-2218.
5. There is some industrially zoned land owned by the town and some that is privately owned. Exact location can be determined at the Town Hall.
6. Variances to zoning must be obtained through the town and/or the county.
7. Businesses that plan to use Forest Service Land (USFS), the State Park (AHRA) or Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land must secure permits from those agencies. The USFS can be reached (719) 539-3591. The AHRA and BLM offices can be reached at (719) 539-7289.
8. Colorado Mountain College (719) 395-8419 is the local community college and is more than willing to schedule classes that would train workers for specific jobs. Free small business counseling is also available through CMC. See Small Business Development Center.
9. Chamber of Commerce membership information can be obtained online by clicking here, by contacting us via phone or postal mail, or by stopping by the Chamber at 343 S. Hwy 24.

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Small Business Development Center (SBDC)

Colorado Mountain College's Small Business Development Center (SBDC) offers many services for local people thinking about starting a business or in the process of rethinking the way they do business. The SBDC has trained business advisors to provide personal and group business counseling on business start-up and acquisition, market analysis and planning, cash flow management, financial analysis and loan packaging. All information is confidential and counseling services are free of charge.

To make an appointment for business counseling, contact the SBDC

Please note that the Small Business Development Center of Colorado Mountain College is one of over 18 centers in Colorado that link federal, state, and local resources. This network of services helps new and established business owners and entrepreneurs achieve success. In addition to business counseling, the SBDC staff in conjunction with local professionals and nationally known speakers conduct workshops and seminars on a variety of topics. The SBDC also offers customized training programs for companies and a speaker's bureau for keynote addresses or rounding out a panel.

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Colorado State Enterprise Zone

What is a State Enterprise Zone?

An enterprise zone is defined as an economically distressed area of Colorado in which special tax incentives area offered to businesses that expand or locate in the zone. The purpose of the tax incentives is to create new jobs and investments in the zone.

The enterprise zone program was created by the Colorado legislature as of July 1, 1986. Since that time, the Colorado Department of Local Affairs has designated 16 areas as Colorado enterprise zones.

Specific locations within Chaffee County, Buena Vista, Poncha Springs and Salida are in the Upper Arkansas Enterprise Zone (UAEZ).

Areas of inclusion:

With the exception of the residentially zoned area of the incorporated municipalities (Buena Vista, Poncha Springs and Salida), the remaining lands of the municipalities and county are in the UAEZ. Inquire with the municipal land use/zoning office as to the existing land use zoning to determine location within the UAEZ.

What are the tax incentives/credits available in the enterprise zones?

Colorado enterprise zones provide state tax incentives to businesses located in the zone, particularly for new or expanded businesses.

Not all businesses qualify for all the tax incentives. Refer to the individual FYI publications. The tax credits are:

1. Investment Tax Credit for business located in a Colorado enterprise zone. See FYI income 11 for more information about this credit.

2. New Business Facility Jobs Credits. Credits are available for new or expanded business facilities located in an enterprise zone that create new jobs. See FYI Income 10 for more information about these credits.

3. State Sales and Use Tax Exemption for Manufacturing and Mining Equipment used in an enterprise zone. This exemption is for equipment used directly in the manufacturing or mining (including oil and gas) process. It applies to state sales and use tax and state-collected local sales tax. See FYI Sales 10 for more information on the manufacturing equipment exemption and FYI Sales 69 for more information on the mining equipment exemption.

4. Research and Development Tax Credit for research and development carried on in an enterprise zone. For tax years beginning on or after Jan. 1, 1989. See FYI Income 22 for more information about this credit.

5. Tax Credit for Private contributions to Enterprise Zone Administrators. For tax years beginning on or after Jan. 1, 1989. See FYI Income 23 for more information about this credit.

6. Tax Credit for the Rehabilitation of Vacant Commercial buildings located in an enterprise zone. For tax years beginning on or after Jan. 1, 1989. See FYI Income 24 for more information about this credit.

7. Qualified Job Training Program Investment Credit for taxpayers who invest in a training program. See FYI Income 31 for more information about this credit.

Who is the Zone Administrator and what is the process?
Jeff Ollinger, Administrator, Upper Arkansas E Zone,
P.O. Box 1212, Buena Vista, CO 81211-1212,
E-mail: jeffolli@chaffee.net, (719) 395-2602.
Upon receiving a complete certification form (DR0074), the administrator will certify the business location in the
zone and return the form to the business or tax preparer. The form is attached to the Colorado tax return when the
business is claiming a tax credit of $450 or more.

When requesting certification, please send a self-addressed/stamped envelope, follow all instructions at the top of
the form, and provide all information

"THE" Colorado Enterprise Zone Information Source

www.revenue.state.co.us           
For information: on left under Main Categories click on FYI; under General Topics click on Income Tax; loof for Enterprise Zone.
For sales/use tax exemption, click on sales tax, look for E Zone FYI.
For EZ forms: on left under Main Categories click on Forms; click on Forms by DOR Number and look for DR0074 or Enterprize Zone.

How do I obtain detailed information?

Order the Taxpayer Service Division "FYI" by writing to the Colorado Department of Revenue, 1375 Sherman St., Denver, CO 80261; or by calling the Dept. of Revenue's Forms Hotline at (303) 232-2414. Provide specific FYI number referenced in this general information sheet.

Locally, the Chamber of Commerce has a "desk reference" on the tax incentives. Interested persons may review the reference in the Chamber office and ask for copies of specific items of interest. For on-line access to Department of Revenue "FYI" publications, http://www.revenue.state.co.us/TPS_Dir/wrap.asp?incl=fyi_index_rev

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