City Council Weighs Lodging Tax Measure

Your Input Is Needed

The Centennial City Council is considering a potential 2022 ballot question that would ask voters to approve a lodging tax. As the Council considers putting the question to voters in the November election, input from Centennial residents is requested and encouraged.

As presently drafted, the ballot question defines lodging tax as monies levied on any short-term (less than 30 days) rental of a room, residence, accommodation or space in any hotel, inn, bed and breakfast, or any other place providing similar types of service in the City. This would include room and home rentals like Airbnb and Vrbo, as well as “typical” hotels and lodging providers in the City.

The City currently collects a 2.5% sales tax on Lodging Services (Centennial Municipal Code Section 4-1-30), with funds being collected in the General Fund. If passed, a lodging tax would add an additional percentage – currently drafted at 5.0%, subject to change – on these same services beginning on January 1, 2023. If referred to the ballot and approved by voters, the total tax rate for lodging services would be the combination of the sales tax plus the lodging tax. Funds are anticipated to be used to support projects and services addressing visitor impacts in the area of public safety.

A City Council discussion regarding next steps is scheduled for August 15 and, on September 6, Council is scheduled to determine whether to refer a lodging tax question to the ballot for the November 8 election.

Engaging with residents and businesses on this topic is important to the decision-making process. Click below to complete a brief survey specific to Centennial residents.

The survey will be live until August 12.

Visit centennialco.gov/lodging to access FAQs, review past City Council discussions on this topic and read the draft ballot language. A survey specific to Centennial businesses is online as well.