Rifle lodging tax increase from 2.5% to 5.5%
Rifle · November 3, 2026
The question on your ballot
SHALL THE CITY OF RIFLE’S TAXES BE INCREASED BY AN ESTIMATED $350,000 ANNUALLY FOR THE FIRST FULL FISCAL YEAR (2027) AND BY SUCH AMOUNTS GENERATED ANNUALLY THEREAFTER BY INCREASING THE CITY’S LODGING TAX BY 3.0% ON THE LEASING OR RENTING OF ROOMS OR OTHER ACCOMMODATIONS IN LODGING WITHIN THE CITY FOR LESS THAN 30 DAYS FOR A TOTAL RATE OF 5.5% OF THE PRICE PAID OR CHARGED FOR SUCH LODGING IN THE CITY COMMENCING JANUARY 1, 2027, WITH THE PROCEEDS OF SUCH TAX, TOGETHER WITH INVESTMENT EARNINGS THEREON USED PRIMARILY FOR VISITOR IMPROVEMENTS AND ATTRACTIONS, HISTORIC PRESERVATION, SPECIAL EVENTS, BEAUTIFICATION PROJECTS IN THE CITY, AND THE PROMOTION OF THE CITY AND ITS ENVIRONS, AND SHALL SUCH REVENUES TO BE COLLECTED BY THE CITY CONSTITUTE A VOTER APPROVED REVENUE CHANGE NOTWITHSTANDING ANY APPLICABLE REVENUE OR EXPENDITURE LIMITATION IMPOSED BY ARTICLE X, SECTION 20 OF THE COLORADO CONSTITUTION OR ANY OTHER LAW?
In plain language
A VoterDecoder summary of the official measure text.
Rifle Ballot Issue 2A would raise the city's lodging tax by 3.0 percentage points. The total rate on lodging for stays of less than 30 days would rise from 2.5% to 5.5%, starting January 1, 2027. The increase is estimated at $350,000 in the first full fiscal year, 2027, and more in later years. The money would fund visitor improvements and attractions, historic preservation, special events, beautification projects, and promotion of the city. A YES vote approves the higher lodging tax rate. A NO vote keeps the current rate.
Fiscal impact
The official fiscal statement reports city fiscal year spending of $26,076,346 in 2022 and an estimated $32,883,808 for 2026, an overall change of 26.11%, or $6,807,462. The increase is estimated at $350,000 for the first full fiscal year. The statement does not give a separate estimate of 2027 spending without the increase.
Official explanation
FINANCIAL IMPACT STATEMENT
FISCAL INFORMATION
Actual Historical and Current Estimated Fiscal Year Spending
Year
Fiscal Year Spending
2026 (estimated)
$32,883,808
2025 (actual)
$31,915,425
2024 (actual)
$28,372,547
2023 (actual)
$27,359,771
2022 (actual)
$26,076,346
Overall percentage change in fiscal year spending over the five-year period from 2022 to 2026: 26.11%
Overall dollar change in fiscal year spending over the five-year period from 2022 through 2026: $6,807,462
Official ballot arguments
No official arguments were filed for or against this measure.
What supporters and opponents say — outside sources (not official ballot arguments)
Statements by campaigns, officials and news coverage, quoted with attribution and linked to the original. VoterDecoder did not write them and does not endorse either side.
Supporters say
No public statements in favor were found.
Opponents say
No public statements against were found.