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Admissions Tax Grant

In 2002, Mt. Crested Butte voters passed a “4% excise tax on the price paid to gain admission to any place or event in the town that is open to the public” to be utilized 25% for transportation and 75% marketing. Voters ratified modified language of the tax in 2009 to keep the tax from sun-setting and directed “not less than 25 percent of the revenues of such tax to be utilized for transportation; and the remainder of the revenues from such tax to be utilized for marketing and event sponsorship.”

In 2019, to respond to the changing economic landscape of Mt. Crested Butte, concerns of unsustainable tourism, and inconsistent applications of Admissions Tax funds, Mt. Crested Butte Town Council revised the Admission Tax Grant Application to bring more clarity to the process as well as realign the grant with contemporary values regarding tourism and transportation.


ADMISSIONS TAX GRANT MISSION & PURPOSE

  • The primary intent of the grant is to attract new visitors to Mt. Crested Butte with a measurable return on investment to increase sales tax revenue for the town. 
  • It is the town’s desire to attract new people, as well as encourage repeat visitation and stimulate creativity to develop new events. 
  • All events and programs must occur within the town limits of Mt. Crested Butte at some point during the event.
  • Completion of the application is not a right to funds. The distribution of Admissions Tax grant funds is within the sole discretion of Town Council.
  • Applicants are required to contact the Admissions Tax point of contact 60 days prior to submitting their application with questions about their application or the process.
  • All council decisions are final. There is no appeal process.

ADMISSION TAX BUDGET REVIEW

Town staff is responsible for creating the annual grant budget during the fall budgeting process, with direction from Town Council. All requests will be reviewed for consideration by the Town Council for a final decision as part of the annual budget review. 

 

Admissions tax funds shall accrue with the expectation that the fund maintains a reserve to accommodate reductions in admissions tax income during economically depressed times, earmark funds for slower times of the year when more marketing may be advantageous or useful for the Events & Marketing budget. Council discourages zeroing out the fund or spending admissions tax funds simply because an application has been submitted. Applications should meet the criteria of the program while benefitting the Town and the applicant financially. 

 

ADMISSION TAX GRANT CYCLE

There are two cycles in each year. One is in the spring and one in the fall. 

Spring 2025: Updated guidelines, application, and reporting forms for the 2025 grant cycle are coming soon!

  • Application Opens: Friday, January 10, 2025
    • Applicants can complete and apply between now and Wednesday, January 29, by 5 pm.
       
  • Application Deadline: Wednesday, January 29, by 5 pm.
     
  • Staff Review Deadline: Monday, February 10, by 5 pm
    • Staff will review the application and respond to you with questions, concerns, or revisions to your application by this date
  • Applicant Revision Deadline: Wednesday, February 19, 2024, at 5 pm
    • The applicant will have until this date to respond to any staff questions and/or submit a revised application
  • Town Council Work Session: Tuesday, March 18, 2024, at 4:30 pm
    • The applicant will be expected to attend the Town Council Meeting to answer any questions that Town Council has regarding their application that staff may have missed. If the applicant cannot attend, they must have someone attend in their place and be able to answer any additional questions Council may have regarding the application
  • Town Council Meeting Funding Awards: Tuesday, April 1, 2024, at 6 pm
    • Award letters will be provided to the applicant within a week of the Town Council meeting

Fall 2024 (Fall 2025 dates TBD):

  • Application Opens: Monday, July 1, 2024
    • Applicants can complete and apply between now and Wednesday, July 24, 2024, at 5 pm.
  • Application Deadline: Wednesday, July 24, 2024, by 5 pm
  • Staff Review Deadline: Friday, August 9, by 5 pm
    • Staff will review the application and respond to you with questions, concerns, or revisions to your application by this date
  • Applicant Revision Deadline: Monday, August 19, 2024
    • The applicant will have until this date to respond to any staff questions and/or submit a revised application
  • Town Council Work Session: Tuesday, September 3, at 4:30 pm
    • The applicant or their staff is required to attend the Town Council Meeting to answer any questions that Town Council has regarding their application that staff may have missed. If the applicant cannot attend, they must have someone attend in their place and be able to answer any additional questions Council may have regarding the application
  • Town Council Meeting Funding Awards: Tuesday, September 17, 2024, at 6 pm
    • Award letters will be provided to the applicant within a week of the Town Council meeting

If you have questions or concerns about the admissions tax grant process and cycle, please contact Marisa Maudsley, Marketing Communications Officer at mmaudsley@mtcb.colorado.gov or call (970) 349-6632, ext. 112. To submit your grant, please email it to Marisa Maudsley, Marketing Communications Officer at mmaudsley@mtcb.colorado.gov. 


Admissions Tax Grant Forms