By Rachel Suh
In my previous opinion piece here in the Daily Post, I wrote about a solution to our infrastructure needs by proposing a graduated lodger’s fee. This solution was first presented (not passed) by the state of Colorado in 2008 to raise $500 million for road maintenance.
The nearby town of Silverton currently has a graduated lodger’s fee.
There is also a second solution that should be discussed.
In April of this year, Governor Jared Polis signed into law a bill that allows counties to redirect funds from the county and municipal lodging taxes to support infrastructure and housing needs.
HB22-1117 allows the county voters to vote, on a general election ballot, for redirecting lodging tax funds to improve the visitor experience. This could include ensuring roads are driveable, funding housing needs, and even assisting in childcare costs for workers that we rely on to keep businesses open for tourists.
Did Archuleta County put the wrong question on this year’s ballot?
I think so.
Instead of asking us to redirect funds from the lodging tax that pays for marketing to actually improving the visitor experience around town (which is left fairly open in the House bill and even includes maintenance of trails, sidewalks, and crosswalks and other capital expenditures directly related to improving visitor experience), they asked to increase our sales tax.
I think having a low sales tax is appealing to a visitor, who may want the ski resort town experience on a budget.
The right thing to do would have been to diversify how we spend the lodging tax, and put that resolution up to a vote, instead of proposing a sales tax increase that has been riddled with questionable actions on behalf of county officials.
Rachel Suh lives in Pagosa Springs, and is a Certified SCRUM Master and Strategic Consultant working in facilitation, mentoring, training, and coaching. She has a passionate hobby of Political Activism.