As a longtime resident, business owner and community leader in Steamboat Springs, I must express my disappointment with City Council’s decision to put 2A on this November’s ballot.

As a longtime resident, business owner and community leader in Steamboat Springs, I must express my disappointment with City Council’s decision to put 2A on this November’s ballot.

My disappointment is not because of what 2A is trying to address. Access to housing is a critical need in Steamboat, and we need housing solutions for our workforce. Providing available and affordable housing for our workforce is critical in keeping Steamboat Springs a vibrant, diverse and economically successful community. However, this should be a responsibility that all of us in Steamboat — including local businesses, year-round and part-time residents, and visitors — should and must share. 

But that’s not how Council set it up when they put 2A on the ballot. Instead of working with the local business and lodging communities on an alternate approach that would share this responsibility more broadly with local taxpayers and out-of-town visitors, council is looking to put the financial burden solely on one sector — the non-hotel or short-term lodging community. Unfortunately, doing that will risk other parts of Steamboat’s economy. 

With Steamboat visitors having other choices on where to visit in Colorado and the West — and travelers facing inflation, skyrocketing airfares and a recession — this tax sends the wrong message that they are not welcome in Steamboat. 

That’s because 2A is a huge additional tax on a key part of Steamboat’s lodging base. If passed, 2A would nearly double the tax on non-hotel lodging from 11.4% to 20.4%. 2A’s 9% increase. That’s just not good for business, and it’s the wrong way to tackle our shared housing needs.

As a former business owner and a job creator in Steamboat, I can tell you that 2A is the wrong proposal. It will hurt the local businesses and employees that we need to help. Let’s say No to 2A and ask council to work with our business and lodging communities to find a better solution to this pressing need.

Curt Weiss

Steamboat Springs