According to unofficial election results as of Wednesday morning, voters passed Grand County’s Ballot Measure 1A — an increase in the lodging tax.

The county’s current tax rate on lodging properties is 1.8%. With the measure passing, this increases to 2% starting January 2025. The lodging tax is paid only by visitors of hotels or short-term rentals to raise revenue for the county.

As of 1:25 a.m. Wednesday, 5,554, which is almost 60% of ballots cast, were in favor of raising the lodging tax, versus 3,748 no votes, or about 40%.

Grand County estimates that the increase to 2% could collect an extra $226,000 annually. The increase in revenue could go towards housing and child care for Grand County’s workforce, as well as marketing for local tourism.

In total, the increase could allow the lodging tax to generate about $2.25 million annually, according to Grand County’s estimates from 2023 data.

“This will allow the county to continue to market tourism and enhance the visitor experience, while funding housing and childcare for locals,” Grand County government stated.