© 2024
NPR for Northern Colorado
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Despite High Park Fire, Fort Collins Sees Boost in June Sales, Lodging Taxes

Grace Hood

Sales and lodging taxes increased in June during the High Park Fire, according to a report released by the city of Fort Collins.

Net taxable sales increased by about 5 percent in June compared with 2011. Meantime, lodging tax collections increased by 18.7 percent.

Initially businesses were concerned about how the wildfire image would impact tourism. While it did lead to some canceled trips, the Coloradoan reports that there was another potential economically simulative benefit: wildfire evacuees spent time and money in local restaurants and hotels.

There’s still no telling yet how the Waldo Canyon Fire impacted Colorado Springs tourism in July. Numbers have not been released for the Lodgers and Automobile Rental Tax (LART) Collections Report, which is one indicator.

Thus far this year,the city has seen a 3.63 percent increase in LART.

Related Content