City of Rifle

Rifle Lodging Tax Increase

New tax or feeLodging tax increase

Raises Rifle's lodging tax by three percentage points to 5.5% from January 1, 2027, with an estimated $350,000 increase that year and no end date.

City of Rifle

Kim's Recommendation

Vote No on City of Rifle Ballot Issue 2A

Issue 2A raises Rifle's lodging tax from the 2.5% that voters set in 2007 to 5.5%. One reason the council gives is that most neighboring communities charge more. A higher rate in neighboring towns does not show that Rifle's visitor projects need another $350,000 in 2027. The increase reaches lodging stays of fewer than 30 days in the city. I oppose a tax increase whose question sets no end date.

The notice the council ordered published describes the increase as dedicated to visitor improvements, preservation, events, beautification and promotion. The question on the ballot says the money goes primarily to those purposes, and it lets the city keep the new revenue outside TABOR's limits. When the council presents a tax as dedicated, the question voters approve should dedicate it. This text leaves room for other spending, so I cannot call it dedicated.

I recommend a no vote on City of Rifle Ballot Issue 2A.

Kim Monson

Host, The Kim Monson Show · President, Colorado Union of Taxpayers · Colorado Voter's Guide 2026

Certified ballot question

SHALL THE CITY OF RIFLE'S TAXES BE INCREASED BY AN ESTIMATED $350,000 ANNUALLY FOR THE FIRST FULL FISCAL YEAR (2027) AND BY SUCH AMOUNTS GENERATED ANNUALLY THEREAFTER BY INCREASING THE CITY'S LODGING TAX BY 3.0% ON THE LEASING OR RENTING OF ROOMS OR OTHER ACCOMMODATIONS IN LODGING WITHIN THE CITY FOR LESS THAN 30 DAYS FOR A TOTAL RATE OF 5.5% OF THE PRICE PAID OR CHARGED FOR SUCH LODGING IN THE CITY COMMENCING JANUARY 1, 2027, WITH THE PROCEEDS OF SUCH TAX, TOGETHER WITH INVESTMENT EARNINGS THEREON USED PRIMARILY FOR VISITOR IMPROVEMENTS AND ATTRACTIONS, HISTORIC PRESERVATION, SPECIAL EVENTS, BEAUTIFICATION PROJECTS IN THE CITY, AND THE PROMOTION OF THE CITY AND ITS ENVIRONS, AND SHALL SUCH REVENUES TO BE COLLECTED BY THE CITY CONSTITUTE A VOTER APPROVED REVENUE CHANGE NOTWITHSTANDING ANY APPLICABLE REVENUE OR EXPENDITURE LIMITATION IMPOSED BY ARTICLE X, SECTION 20 OF THE COLORADO CONSTITUTION OR ANY OTHER LAW?

A yes vote means

The city could raise its tax on lodging of fewer than 30 days to 5.5% and keep the revenue outside the limits named in the question.

A no vote means

This question would not authorize the three-percentage-point lodging tax increase.

The Lodging Tax Voters Approved01

On September 11, 2007, a majority of Rifle's voters approved a 2.5% tax on lodging accommodations in the city. That tax was approved to fund visitor improvements and attractions, historic preservation, special events, city beautification projects and promotion of the city. The City Council adopted Resolution No. 20, with amendments, on August 19, 2026. It says the rate has not changed for almost twenty years while most of Rifle's neighboring communities have adopted lodging taxes that "far exceed" it. The resolution also makes the council's case that the lodging tax is paid by the traveling public rather than the city's residents, while the city benefits from the projects it funds.

A Higher Rate With No End Date02

Ballot Issue 2A adds three percentage points to the lodging tax, for a total rate of 5.5% of the price paid or charged, beginning January 1, 2027. As an example, at the 5.5% total rate, $100 of taxable lodging pays $5.50, $3 more than at 2.5%. The increase applies to rooms and other accommodations rented for fewer than 30 consecutive days, which the resolution ties to the definition of lodging services in Section 4-2-30 of the Rifle Municipal Code. The question sets no end date.

The question estimates the added revenue at $350,000 for the first full fiscal year, 2027, and authorizes whatever amounts the tax generates each year after that.

The Added Lodging Tax

The increase would add three percentage points to the city lodging tax.

$100 of eligible lodging

$100 × 3% = $3 in additional city lodging tax.

For rooms or other accommodations rented for fewer than 30 days in Rifle. Enter the taxable lodging charge before tax. The result shows only the increase; the total city lodging rate would be 5.5%, with other taxes excluded here.

City of Rifle Issue 2A: a three-point increase from January 1, 2027.

Primarily for Visitor Projects03

The resolution says the increase is to fund the same five purposes as the 2007 tax, and the published notice it orders calls the increase "dedicated" to them. The ballot question says the city uses the proceeds and their investment earnings "primarily" for visitor improvements and attractions, historic preservation, special events, beautification projects in the city, and promotion of the city and its environs. The word "primarily" leaves room for other uses.

Revenue Outside TABOR's Limits04

A yes vote makes the new revenue a voter-approved revenue change. The city may collect and spend it regardless of any applicable revenue or spending limit in Article X, Section 20 of the Colorado Constitution, the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights (TABOR), or any other law.

Sources05

Official documents

Garfield County composite sample ballot, page 3 — November 3, 2026 election