Montrose City Council approves language for lodging tax ballot measure
MONTROSE, Colo. (KJCT) - In a unanimous vote, Montrose City Council members approved the language for a ballot measure that residents will vote on in November.
The measure would raise the city’s tax on hotel rooms and other local lodging from .9% to 6% in order to manage infrastructure wear-and-tear from increased tourism that followed the COVID-19 pandemic.
If passed, the extra money would be used for infrastructure costs associated with tourism. Things like street maintenance, affordable housing, childcare services, and public transit.
“After COVID-19, many western Colorado communities were faced with a rapid influx of both new residents and tourists,” stated Montrose City Manager Bill Bell. “This growth has impacted our city’s infrastructure with increased wear and tear on our streets, sidewalks, and parking lots. The growth has also impacted our housing, childcare, and public transit systems. We have received comments from many residents asking us to take the lead on solving some of these problems and we have had quite a few questions about how we could ask tourists to help pay their own way.”
https://www.kjct8.com/2024/09/20/montrose-city-council-approves-language-lodging-tax-ballot-measure/