Manitou businesses warn against raising city's excise tax ahead of vote

Manitou businesses warn against raising city's excise tax ahead of vote

Manitou Springs faces a nearly $4 million budget shortfall in 2026 due to lost sales tax revenue. Next week, voters will decide whether to approve a significant increase to the city's excise tax on tourism excursions.The proposed measure would give city leaders the authority to raise the excise tax from its current 5% rate, unchanged since the 1970s, up to 14%. The tax targets popular tourist attractions like the city's zip lines, Cliff Dwelling…