Manitou Springs Votes on Amusement Tax Hike | Colorado Springs News

Manitou Springs is facing a heated debate over a proposed ballot measure to hike its amusement tax from 5% to 9%, aimed at filling a deepening budget gap caused by Colorado Springs’ marijuana sales siphoning away key tax revenue. Supporters argue it’s essential to align with the general sales tax and generate nearly $1 million—mostly from tourists—to keep the city afloat. But critics, including zipline tour operators, say it unfairly singles out certain businesses, since combined local, county, and state taxes already near 9%, making this an unnecessary burden. With ballots hitting mailboxes in early October and election day just months away, both sides are rallying voters as the town grapples with how to responsibly manage its finances—and whether this tax hike is the right move for the future. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/797b3c772bd2bddc