SMARTER SPENDING
NO HIGHER TAXES
Clear Creek County Board of Commissioners approved a November 2026 ballot measure where voters are asked to triple the lodging tax from 2% to 6% AND have it applied to all lodging businesses in Clear Creek County, including Idaho Springs and surrounding areas of St. Mary's Glacier, Floyd Hill / Beaver Brook, Dumont–Lawson–Downieville, and Upper Bear Creek / Brook Forest.
The measure threatens our economy and gives the government a blank check.
Protect Clear Creek businesses and visitors alike.
VOTE NO ON 1A.
LODGING TAX RATES
0%
1.4%
3.4%
6%
2%
---- CURRENT RATE ----
EVERGREEN / JEFFCO
VAIL
BRECKENRIDGE
CLEAR CREEK COUNTY IF 1A PASSES
STOP THE SKY-HIGH LODGING TAX
Tripling the lodging tax will make Clear Creek County communities among the highest in Colorado. 6% is the highest lodging tax rate Colorado law allows — Gilpin and Park counties are already there.
DEMAND SPENDING ACCOUNTABILITY
Clear Creek County says it needs funds to offset visItor impact, but can't provide data showing visitor vs. residence impact on County services. We don’t need higher taxes. We need accountability and smarter spending.
PROTECT OUR ECONOMY
A 200% tax hike will drive visitors to more affordable areas, negatively impact local businesses already dealing with higher costs, decrease sales-tax revenue, and limit our quality of life
INSIST ON COMMUNITY INPUT
The measure is being rushed to the ballot without lodging and short-term rental operator input, with no accountability for how money is spent.
Timeline of County Actions Targeting
Lodging and Short-Term Rentals
Capped STR Permit System
The county quietly imposed a 4.5% capped STR permit system: mandatory annual permits and inspections, a hard percentage cap on non-primary-residence STRs, a new $250 permit fee and regulatory requirements. All without reaching out to the STR community.
COVID "Health Order" Shutdown
The county called both short-term rentals and outdoor tourist recreation unsafe, shutting down all rentals and tourist travel under a "health order" during Covid-19. Warning us and guests of up to a $5,000 fine and/or jail time" for non-compliance, and then closed all county road access to guests so no one could visit even if STR's stayed open.
Tourism Funding Slashed + STR Fees Doubled
Stripped funding away through another lodging tax ballot measure. That measure took the tourism marketing and promotion funding from 100% down to 40%. STR permit fees were doubled to $500.
270% Licensing Fee Increase + Ordinance 19's Regulatory Hurdles
Ordinance 19 is passed. Massive regulatory hurdles: upping license fees to $1,850 minimum for the first year, layered on stricter insurance mandates, made licenses non-transferable, tree mitigation requirements, lot line restrictions, etc.
Triple the Lodging Tax from 2% to 6% - Driving Visitors Elsewhere
Your chance to "Vote NO on 1A" and stop the sky-high taxing on lodging, protect our economy, and insist on spending accountability by the county.
COUNTY WANTS VISITORS AND LODGING BUSINESSES TO ABSORB A 200% TAX INCREASE WHILE KEEPING TOURISM PROMOTION FUNDING UNCHANGED, DIRECTING UP TO $480,000 A YEAR TO COUNTY INFRASTRUCTURE AND PUBLIC SAFETY.
%
Amount Clear Creek County’s Lodging Tax would be increased, from 2% today to 6% if passed in Nov. Driving visitors to less expensive destinations.
%
Lodging Tax funds for TOURISM marketing are set at a floor of at least 10% — about $80,000 a year — not a cap.
%
Of the $800,000 in lodging tax revenue the county expects to raise annually, up to 60% — $480,000 a year — is allocated to infrastructure maintenance and improvements and public safety. Only 10%, $80k min., is allocated back to Tourism Marketing and Promotion.
%
Population has decreased in Clear Creek County by −252 residents between 2015 and 2025.
LODGING TAX TAKES AWAY AT OUR ECONOMY.
LODGING TAX NO SUNSET. NO GUARDRAILS.
LODGING TAX SENDS VISITORS ELSEWHERE.
LODGING TAX HARMS OUR QUALITY OF LIFE.
NO ON 1A
SMARTER SPENDING.
NOT HIGHER TAXES.
Paid for by Clear Creek County Lodging & Tourism Alliance.
Registered Agent: Wesley Crittle
All contents © September 2026 Clear Creek Lodging & Tourism Alliance