Letter: It’s a terrible time to raise taxes
Please vote “no” on Eagle County’s Ballot Issue 1A. Visitors won’t pay this tax; local businesses will, you and me, which is unfair and unreasonable.
As recent as 2023, Eagle County implemented a 2% lodging tax on “unincorporated” areas, including Edwards, Beaver Creek, Arrowhead, Bachelor Gulch, Eagle Vail and El Jebel. The tax was also implemented in Gypsum, because the town didn’t impose a municipal lodging tax previously. Now, just two years later, the county is asking voters to double this tax and claim, incorrectly, that visitors will pay.
As the owner of the Inn at Riverwalk for almost three decades, I can confidently predict from experience that visitors will not pay. Who will pay this tax? All of us who rely on tourism dollars … small independent properties, individual rental owners, and hotels and condominiums. With our local tourism economy currently struggling, we know the market won’t bear this additional cost, especially our budget-minded shoulder season guests.
When potential guests and groups compare prices, they will clearly see it will cost them more to stay in the Vail Valley than elsewhere. The loss of these guests, and of our essential group businesses, doesn’t just impact our lodges; it means fewer customers and lost revenue for local restaurants, outfitters, shops and other local businesses. This tax will affect of our entire community’s vitality.
With the recent announcement from Vail Resorts that winter 2025-26 skier visits are predicted to decline based on pass sales through Sept. 19, 2025, and stories in the Vail Daily and The Colorado Sun pointing to declining tourism in our valley, it’s truly a terrible time to raise taxes.
Support Local Journalism
I have lived in our beautiful valley for almost 40 years and recognize the challenges facing our community. We have issues to solve, but there is no silver bullet. We can’t expect one segment of our economy — the lodging industry — to foot the bill. Shouldn’t we all contribute equally?
Please vote “no’ on Ballot Issue 1A.
Kathy Treat, owner, The Inn at Riverwalk
Edwards
