Cortez sets two more lodgers' tax information sessions

The City of Cortez is holding two more public sessions on the lodgers’ tax question that will be on city ballots in the November 3 election:

• Thursday, September 24, 4:30 to 6 p.m., Cortez Public Library, 202 N. Park St.
• Tuesday, October 6, 5 to 6:30 p.m., Cortez Public Library, 202 N. Park St.

The question, which the City Council placed on the ballot in August through Ordinance No. 1375, asks voters to raise the city’s lodgers’ tax from 2% to 6%. The tax is charged on stays of up to 30 days in hotels, motels and short-term rentals inside city limits, and the city notes it is paid by visitors, not residents.

According to the city, the added money would go to tourism marketing, economic development and redevelopment, and arts and cultural events, programs and facilities. A first session was held September 15 at the Cortez Area Chamber of Commerce.

The city’s deadline for written comments to be summarized in the state-required TABOR notice mailed to voters was September 18.

More details are in the city’s news release and on its elections page. For what else is on the ballot, see our voter guide.