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Council expands visitor‑benefit tax uses to allow leasing, acquisition for community space
Summary
On second reading the council amended the lodging‑tax allowable uses to include real estate leasing and acquisition to give flexibility for securing community space such as the armory; the Aspen Chamber Resort Association urged the move as critical to its operations.
The Aspen City Council on Aug. 26 voted to expand allowable uses of the visitor‑benefit (lodging) tax to include real‑estate leasing and acquisition, a change intended to give the city flexibility to secure community space such as the armory for tenants.
Councilor John introduced the second reading of Ordinance 7, which staff said would allow the city to use lodging tax revenue for leasing or buying space that serves visitor‑oriented and community needs. Jeff Bay, vice chair of the Aspen Chamber Resort Association, told council that ACRA has struggled to find a consistent administrative location during armory and power‑plant redevelopment and asked the council to allow the chamber to work with the city to identify a permanent home.
Councilors balanced concerns about using reserves with the long‑term value of a real‑estate asset in Aspen; after public comment and council discussion, the ordinance passed unanimously on roll call.
The ordinance allows future leasing or acquisition decisions to return to the council with site‑specific conditions and approvals.
