Triple Tourism Tax KCCA Explainer

Vote NO on Custer County Question 1A - November 4, 2025
Custer County's Board of Commissioners wants to triple the lodging tax from 2% to 6% - a 300% increase on all short-term rentals, motels, and RV parks. While they claim this will raise $170,000 for housing and childcare, the economic reality tells a different story.
Tourism in Custer County is already declining - lodging tax receipts dropped 13% in 2024 and another 7% in 2025. Colorado tourism is growing at only 0.3% compared to 4.2% nationally. This is the worst possible time to make visiting our county more expensive.
Economic research shows that for every 1% price increase, tourism demand drops by 1.5%. A 4% tax increase means 6% fewer visitors, resulting in an estimated $1.5 million loss in economic activity across restaurants, shops, and services. After accounting for lost sales tax revenue, the net gain is only $70,000 - hardly worth destroying jobs and driving away the families who support our local economy.
Keep Custer County Affordable. Vote NO on Question 1A.
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