SIGNED! Donovan's Bipartisan Bill to Support the Tourism Workforce in Mountain Communities Becomes Law

Donovan: “This law will let counties reinvest dollars back into supporting the people that call these communities home.”

VAIL, CO – Yesterday, Governor Jared Polis signed a bipartisan bill sponsored by Senate President Pro Tem Kerry Donovan (D-Vail) into law to address the use of lodging tax revenue for local marketing districts.

“At the heart of every mountain town are its locals,” said Senator Donovan. “This law will let counties reinvest dollars back into supporting the people that call these communities home.”

Mountain communities often generate strong revenue from tourism, but are limited in how they spend this money. HB22-1117, co-sponsored by Senator Don Coram (R-Montrose), will expand the usage of local marketing district and county lodging tax revenue beyond destination marketing and promotion to include workforce housing and childcare.

Colorado has seen a record increase in tourism, with each year bringing more tourists than the last. Despite rising tax revenues, the average resident of tourism-heavy counties has seen their economic well-being decline. While these tourism taxes currently advertise their county to visitors, they cannot use these funds to invest in the experience of visitors traveling to these counties or use these funds to maintain a workforce that can accommodate these visitors.

This legislation will allow for revenue generated from tourism to be used for  housing and childcare for the tourism-related workforce, including seasonal workers, and for facilitating and enhancing visitor experiences.