If it were mine? (As an owner of around a dozen steel road bikes over the years.) I'd ride it and keep an eye on the fork. I would also keep an eye and ear open for a new or good fork that would be a good fit for the bike and a person or company who can do a good paint job within your budget.

Best part of steel - all but the very highest end. highest strength steels give you warning almost always before failing. And where that dent is, well away from the fork crown, it is HIGHLY UNLIKELY that the fork will fail there without plenty of warning. Plus it is in a very visible spot. Ride it, but keep an eye on it.

To save money, you might consider chroming whatever fork you find. but consult a reputable frame builder for advice on the best outfit to go to. (I had a nickle plated fork done by an outfit that took the shortcut of not doing a post plate heat treat. Both blades nearly broke at the crown and could well have on a steep descent as I braked hard for a sharp turn. Didn't because I had a mechanical at the top of the mountain and nursed the bike down to the flats - completely unaware I had a fork that was about to break catastrophically. Bike started shuddering violently after I got down to the flat. Got home and pulled one blade off with one hand, easily. The other was cracked halfway through. That mechanical - good bike, a keeper! it was looking after me!)

All that said, forks have been chromed for the past 100 years. Many have served long lives, long before good pavement existed. Done right, all's good.

Ben