The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel: Lodging tax increase will help community
The Grand Junction City Council is prepared to ask voters to authorize a lodging tax hike that will provide a desperately needed tool to improve air service and, in turn, our competitive footing across the spectrum of economic development opportunities.
The city has done its part, advancing ballot language to go before voters this fall. It will now be up to city voters to recognize what’s at stake – a tax that will be paid by tourists and business travelers who stay in hotels here, which will help the business community in a number of ways.
Doubling the existing 3 percent lodging tax is expected to generate an additional $1.75 million in 2019. The additional 3 percent would be split three ways. At least three-quarters of a percent would go to the Greater Grand Junction Sports Commission and at least 1 percent would go to the Grand Junction Regional Air Service Alliance to aid efforts to bring more direct flights to Grand Junction Regional Airport. The remaining funds would go to the city’s tourism development arm, Visit Grand Junction.

