Lodgers and Automobile Rental Tax Grant 2026

The Lodgers and Automobile Rental Tax (LART) grant is administered by the City of Colorado Springs and is funded through taxes collected from visitors staying in local hotels or renting cars. These funds are reinvested into the community to support tourism, including promotions, city improvements, and event production. The goal of the LART program is to attract visitors and stimulate economic growth in the Pikes Peak Region. In 2026, the City has introduced a new structured and collaborative application process that emphasizes alignment with key tourism impact pillars. The 2026 LART grant application period opens on April 30 and closes on May 28 at 4 p.m. Public information sessions are available to assist applicants with the new process, scheduled for May 8 at 2 p.m. and May 14 at 5 p.m. Eligible applicants include attractions, associations, organizations, and governmental or quasi-governmental agencies. Nonprofit organizations must provide documentation of their nonprofit status. Funded events or projects must be well-defined in their timeframe and can be either one-time or recurring. The revised grant framework is centered around four tourism impact pillars: (1) tourist attractions and economic development, (2) arts and cultural destinations, (3) sports and community events, and (4) outdoor recreation. Each pillar is supported by a designated tourism sector entity (TSE) responsible for evaluating applications. These include the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC and Visit Colorado Springs for the first pillar, the Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region for the second, the Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services for the third, and the Colorado Springs Sports Corporation for the fourth. Applications are evaluated using a rubric specific to each pillar and an economic impact calculator developed by Visit Colorado Springs. This calculator uses detailed event data to estimate both direct and indirect financial benefits to the region. These tools aid in funding decisions, though receiving a high rubric score does not guarantee an award. Partial funding is common due to limited resources, and awards are based on the potential economic and community impact of the proposed events. Applicants will be informed of funding decisions by October 1, pending City Council budget approval in November. If approved, award agreements will be signed and funds disbursed starting January 2026. The LART Administrator will work with grant recipients throughout the year to ensure compliance and track progress using key performance indicators (KPIs). Each TSE will report twice yearly to the City Council on these outcomes. For support, the primary contact is Abigail Hernandez, the LART Administrator, who serves as the liaison for all applicant communications and oversight. She can be reached at [email protected]. The grant process is designed to be inclusive and aligned with the City’s strategic goals to enhance tourism and economic vitality through collaborative partnerships and transparent evaluation mechanisms.