The city of Aspen’s coffers might have benefited from high occupancy in Snowmass in July, but the village’s did, too.
Snowmass sales tax collections increased by 14.6 percent in July over the same month in 2013, according to a report from the town Finance Department. At close to $10 million, reported sales were the highest they’ve been in that month, according to records dating back to 1992.
Boosted by special events and high occupancy, sales for the summer season, which the Finance Department considers June through September, are pacing 14.6 percent ahead of last year.
The impact of the increased occupancy and vibrancy is spreading beyond the village, though. Bill Tomcich, president of reservations agency Stay Aspen Snowmass, told The Aspen Times that Aspen’s big sales gain in July was in large part due to the increased number of guests staying in Snowmass and spending money in the city.
The Finance Department breaks out sales tax collections into industry categories in its report. Every single category had increased sales in July.
The increases were 25.2 percent for lodging; 2 percent for restaurants; 4.9 percent for sports equipment and clothing; 16.6 percent for food, drug and liquor stores; 7.2 percent for general retail; 59.3 percent for miscellaneous; and 10.6 percent for utilities.
Sales tax collections for the year to date are pacing 4 percent ahead of 2013.
Collections from the town’s lodging tax increased 25.2 percent. The real estate transfer tax fund saw a decrease of 57.4 percent in revenue.
http://www.aspentimes.com/news/12965142-113/percent-sales-aspen-increased
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