Two Lodgers Tax Questions Appear on the November Ballot

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  Montezuma County voters will decide on two lodging tax increases this November. Which question appears on your ballot depends on where you live. Residents inside Cortez city limits will vote on ballot question 2A. Voters elsewhere in the county will see ballot question 1B. You’re watching the Local News Network brought to you by Builders First Source and Breaking Wax Trading. A lodger’s tax is paid by visitors when they book commercial lodging, including hotels, motels, campgrounds, and short-term rentals. City of Cortez ballot question 2A would raise the city’s lodger’s tax from 2% to 6%. On a $100 room, that’s an increase from $2 to $6. Montezuma County ballot question 1B would raise the county lodging tax from 2% to 5%. The county tax is only collected outside city and town limits, so visitors won’t be charged twice. Both would take effect January 1st, 2027. The Cortez rate has been at 2% since 1981. The city collects about $250,000 a year at that rate and estimates the increase would bring in about 500,000 more. For comparison, Durango’s rate is 5.25%, Montrose and Ridgeway are at 6%, and the statewide average is 6.7%. Under the ballot language, Cortez could only spend the money on tourism marketing, economic development and redevelopment, including walkability and landscaping or arts and cultural programs. The county’s uses include tourism marketing, recreation and visitor infrastructure, destination development, and tourism emergency response. The city measure would also allow council to adjust the rate in the future without another vote as long as it stays at or below 6%. Final decisions on spending would be made by city council. You can learn more about the Lodger’s tax at cortezco.gov and for more election coverage, visit LNN.news/elections.