What a novel idea. We don’t have that option in Estes Park, but we should. Why don’t we look at this option? First of all, we can’t have a lodging tax because we are a Statutory Town. Vail, as a Home Rule town has taxing authority and they know how to use it. As of now, they are charging visitors a 1.5% tax on rooms which goes toward local projects. They also have a .5% tax on goods for the same purpose. Now, they are considering doubling of those taxes. Here’s a novel idea, if they do decide that it is prudent to raise those taxes, registered voters will have to be asked to approve those changes. Denver currently charges a 13.85% lodging tax and the change contemplated is to raise it to 14.85%. The reasoning is that “tourism is a major industry for our city and for our state, and we have fallen behind. If we don’t promote ourselves, nobody else will.” Again, as a Home Rule community they have taxing authority and will have to ask citizens to vote for such change.
Then there is Estes Park. Ask citizens? Are you nuts? We don’t care what citizens think and surely they won’t vote. Let’s just let our town go broke and stop whining.
Vote for Home Rule! It's time for a change.
