Lyons OKs ballot issue for lodging-tax hike

LYONS – Voters in Lyons will decide in November whether to raise the town’s lodging tax from $2 per night to up to a maximum of 8% of the total nightly rate to visitors to short-term rentals and campsites.

The town board voted unanimously Monday night to refer the issue to the Nov. 8 ballot in the Boulder County town at the base of the foothills west of Longmont.

The $2-per-night tax had  been approved by Lyons voters in April 2018 but, as noted in the proposed ordinance, the proceeds hadn’t proved adequate to cover the impacts of tourist traffic on town streets and municipal services.

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Under the ballot language, the tax would start at 5% per night and be applied to bookings made after next Jan. 1, and the Board of Trustees could raise the levy up to 8% by resolution.

Town officials estimate the tax increase would generate an additional $135,000 in its first fiscal year to address visitor impacts and fund community projects and capital improvements as determined by the board.

Another Nov. 8 ballot question approved unanimously by the trustees on Monday night will ask Lyons voters whether arts and cultural facilities should be classified as a “permitted use” while nonprofit facilities should be a “conditional use” in the parks and open space zoning district.