Denver committee advances 19 improvement-district plans to Council
The package includes a proposed $11.8 million tourism district budget that would keep Denver’s lodging tax at 1%.
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Denver’s Finance and Business Committee voted 5-0 on Oct. 27 to advance 2027 plans and budgets for 19 improvement districts to the full City Council by approving them for filing as a block, the committee’s minutes show. Two committee members were absent. The vote moves the proposals forward but is not final Council approval.
The package covers 12 business improvement districts, six general improvement districts and the Tourism Improvement District. RiNo’s plans include 35th Street improvements and pedestrian lighting in the RiNo General Improvement District, as well as an expanded ambassador program and matching grants in the RiNo Business Improvement District, topics discussed at the committee meeting.
The Tourism Improvement District’s proposed 2027 budget totals about $11.8 million in revenue and expenses and would keep the lodging tax at 1%. The tax applies to lodging at Denver hotels with 50 or more rooms. Denver Finance estimates that about $3.45 million would go to Convention Center debt service and $1.18 million to future center improvements, leaving roughly $7 million for visitor marketing and promotion.
Filed bills propose 2027 expenditure authorizations of $12,083,223 for Downtown Denver, $11,282,855 for Cherry Creek North, $2,468,600 for RiNo and $1,318,881 for Colfax. The RiNo authorization is $10,225 higher than the district’s posted draft budget, which lists $2,458,375 in proposed expenses for ambassador services, neighborhood programming and events, small-business support, planning and infrastructure. The Colfax bill refers to an amended 2026 budget in its title and Section 1, but calls it a proposed 2027 budget in Section 3.
At the committee meeting, officials described first readings for business and tourism district ordinances on Nov. 9 and second readings on Nov. 16. General improvement district public hearings and final votes were also scheduled for Nov. 16. Denver Finance’s presentation identifies Dec. 5 as the statutory deadline for Council to approve or reject the plans and budgets.