The Tourism Tax: Are Taxpayers Being Taken for a Ride?

In Brief

A well-run lobbying campaign has kept the tourism industry on the receiving end of millions of Colorado- tax dollars for many years.

Although the tax is labeled a tourism tax, 80 percent of the revenue is collected from Colorado residents.

Thanks to Amendment 1, Colorado voters will have the opportunity this November to decide whether to continue the subsidy.

No study has ever shown that the tax subsidy has a significant positive impact on the state s economy.

The arguments in favor of subsidizing the tourism industry are no more persuasive than the arguments for subsidizing any other industry.

Only Colorado, among all 50 states, subsidizes the tourist industry with a special dedicated tax.