The Herald’s Editorial Board urges Durangoans to vote “yes” for the increase in our lodgers tax.

After 18 months of negotiation – and for the first time in 40 years – Durango is asking residents to vote on the proposed increase during the April 6 municipal election. The tax is not paid by Durango residents, but by people staying in hotels and motels.

“This time around, working with the Council, I feel like we have something that’s for the benefit of the community,” Jasper Welch, chairman of the 1-A initiative effort and longtime local business leader, said. “I think that’s important. I think we need to look at, long-term, how do we sustain Durango and keep what we all enjoy and still have a vibrant economy.”

Visit Durango supports the lodgers tax increase. Do you? Don’t forget to vote at the city of Durango’s April 6 election.

The tax is not paid by Durango residents, but by people staying at hotels, motels and temporary vacation rentals. Durango City Council, with support from local stakeholders groups, voted Tuesday to raise the tax to 5.25% from its current rate of 2%, in perpetuity.

The community has tried multiple times since the 1990s to increase the tax. The latest attempt launched with the combined efforts of groups like Visit Durango, the Durango Creative District and the Durango Area Hospitality and Lodging Association.

In a 4-1 decision Tuesday, City Council directed staff members to craft ballot language asking voters to increase the lodgers tax to 5.25%.

Money from the tax supports Visit Durango, the downtown trolley and special events, such as Snowdown, Taste of Durango and the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic.

With an increased budget, Visit Durango would aim to increase lodging by 40% during the off-peak months.