The Steamboat Springs Education Fund (SSEF) is a nonprofit, independent corporation that administers the proceeds of the half-cent sales tax—five cents on a $10 purchase. The half-cent city sales tax was originally approved by Steamboat voters in 1993 to fund “public K-12 educational purposes.” The tax was extended by voter approval in three subsequent elections. In 2009, voters extended the tax and expanded the purpose to share a portion of the proceeds of the tax with other Routt County public schools. Since 1993, more than $57.5M has been granted directly for public K-12 education in Routt County.

The Education Fund Board (EFB) administers the funds collected from the half-cent sales tax and exists to facilitate, govern and provide accountability for the allocation of the funds. Click here for the current operating agreement with the City of Steamboat Springs. There are 11 voting members of EFB, nine at-large and two Grant Commission representatives. Board members are appointed for two-year terms. The Grant Commission, which also has 11 members, reports to the EFB and is primarily responsible for reviewing grant applications and recommending funding allocations to the board. The Grant Commission is also responsible for reviewing accountability reports from grantees each fall following the academic school year in which SSEF funds are spent. Grant Commission members also are appointed for two-year terms.