The Grand County Library District

Our Mission:

Grand County Libraries: linking people to boundless opportunities.

Our Motto:

Mountain Libraries Elevate Minds

Our Purpose:

  • Curate valuable resources and services for every user to foster lifelong connections to the library
  • Make our diverse collections, expertise, and services available when, where, and how users need them
  • Be an essential service for our community

2025 Budget Message:

The Board of Trustees of the Grand County Library District (“the District”) in accordance with the requirements of the Local Government Budget Law hereby submits the following budget message with the accompanying 2026 budget.

The District’s 2026 budget marks the 32 year of operation as a Special District. Our operations continue to provide the best possible library services for residents and visitors within the District’s boundaries (Grand County), consistent with available resources and the GCLD Mission Statement, Grand County Libraries: linking people to boundless opportunities. Our library services include: loaning of materials, reference information service, public computer and wireless access service, youth and adult programming, community room use, and remote catalog access—all free of charge.

Our primary source of revenue continues to be property taxes generated by the District’s voter-approved mill levy of 3.36.

The District’s 2026 budget was prepared based on the modified accrual budgetary basis of accounting. The District’s revenues are recognized when they become measurable and available as net current assets. Taxpayer-assessed income is considered “measurable” when in the hands of the intermediary collecting government and is recognized as revenue at that time.

Some of the District’s 2026 budget highlights:

  • The district’s assessed valuation increased 5% over 2025, which marks the eighth year in a row recording growth.
  • HB24-1302 made changes in revenue identification and mill levy certification requirements, additional analysis regarding compliance and any revenue restrictions were done and found GCLD does not have a current revenue limits. The entire mill levy is to be collected for 2026.
  • Revenues are budgeted $32,000 more than 2025 due to modest property value increases county wide.
  • Friends of Grand County Library District have made a budget commitment of $27,075 in support of the district’s Summer Library Program.
  • The special revenue fund expects to see income of $17,000 and $20,000 in expenditures for operations and a capital campaign for Kremmling Library.
  • The budget allows for a 26% increase to personnel for adoption of a new pay grade scale with intentions to pay Grand County living wage, expansion of Kremmling staff hours, as well as a new full-time marketing position.
  • $5,000 in additional programming funds to continue the level of quality programming provided in 2025 and to provide for 5 Career Online High School scholarships.
  • Library collection will continue to be expanded by digitizing local newspapers and microfiche in collaboration with the SkyHi Daily News and Grand County Historical Association. This will be finalization of the project in this budget year.
  • Technology will be replacing Granby Library’s computer fleet as well as upgrading the community room audio visual equipment at the Fraser Valley Library.
  • 2026 budget is leaning into software and technology solutions for accounting, statistics, and efficiency of work flows.
  • Communication funds have increased 8% with a marketing position as well as more visual representation of the district reflected in recent surveys.
  • Strategic planning is slated for 2026 with facility recommendations provided in 2025.
  • Kremmling Library land and site work is budgeted for $1,085,000. Land was secured by contract late 2025 to be funded in 2026 budget.
  • Capital projects for other facilities are budgeted for $317,500 covering several building projects. Included are shelving and window covering upgrades, exterior repairs and landscaping, painting and furniture replacements, and heating/cooling equipment.
  • 2026 budget has a net income of $430,580. Expectation at end of year is to retain $7 million in reserves to complete Kremmling Library construction as well as support sustainable library services at current levels.

Being adaptable in 2026 with regards to facility needs and technology is critical.

Overall, the Grand County Library District has a 2026 budget that is 23% greater than the 2025 adopted budget. This will enable the district to continue to grow the digital collection and enhanced services as well as provide significant opportunities for personal growth for sustainability.