2003 sales-tax results: Tale of four cities

Retail sales in Northern Colorado during 2003 were a tale of East and West.

East of Interstate 25, both Greeley and Windsor enjoyed hefty revenue increases. The two municipalities are in the midst of dramatic commercial development.

Greeley, for instance, prospered from 4.3 percent growth in retail sales, coupled with a hike in sales-tax rates from 3 percent to 3.3 percent.

West of the interstate, Loveland saw 2003 sales-tax revenues inch up approximately 2.9 percent — less than half the 7.6 percent jump in 2002 — while Fort Collins experienced a decline. That city’s sales-tax revenues dipped for the second year…