Dear editor:

Our corner of the state, the Big Horn Basin, is often at the back of the line when it comes to state funding. We have an enormous amount of land area with very little representation compared to the other three quadrants of the state. The state surplus Mr. Weber refers to in his two recent letters, can only be buoyed by the state’s separate lodging tax (not the Park County 2% tax) and is not ours to decide its use. Park County voters need to understand the lodging tax. When you do, you will see that it is very supportive of and critical to our local economy and the jobs of our friends and families.

The 2% Park County Lodging Tax has been in place for decades, which in and of itself is not a reason to keep it, but it shows that we do believe its collection and use is proper. First, many of the things in Mr. Weber’s letter speak to how this tax is used in other parts of the state.  This tax only applies to Park County and can only be used in Park County. So, references to Jackson Hole have no bearing because we collect and use the tax the way we decide, not how Jackson Hole decides.   

And as a parent who went to nearly every out-of-town kid’s sporting event and as a businessperson who travels the state regularly, I can tell you that the $1-$2 extra I spend in hotels never stopped me from making a trip. Additionally, I see it as an investment in Wyoming towns. But this is the second red herring in Mr. Weber’s argument because, again, the subject here is the Park County Lodging Tax which has nothing to do with the cost of a room in Laramie, Gillette or Evanston.

All hunting, shooting and trapping enthusiasts and businesses benefit from the lodging tax. First, it supports the local businesses by attracting and bringing clients to the outfitter industry. We have some of the best hunting and amazing resources in the outfitting profession — they rely on their clients wanting to come here and the restaurants, hotels, gas stations and sporting goods stores all add to the reasons these clients come. The lodging tax does advertise shooting at the Cody Firearms Experience and soon the State Shooting Complex in Park County. 

Park County’s communities rely heavily on tourism as the number one employer and economic driver.  These industries and services directly or indirectly affect nearly every resident in the county. In 2023, travelers generated $11.9 million in taxes. Taxes paid by visitors relieve tax burden on Park County residents by over $1,600 per household each year. Municipalities receive direct benefit — 10% of the lodging tax collected is returned to the Park County municipality where it was collected.

The lodging tax dollars go to TV advertising, national and regional magazine ads, 100,000 destination travel guides, organic and paid social media campaigns and email marketing. These efforts support the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, all area chambers of commerce, Cody Stampede Board, Homesteader Museum Association, Meeteetse Visitor Center, Old West Old Trail Town and encourage flying travelers to use Yellowstone Regional Airport. The lodging tax does use over a dozen local advertising and advertising-related companies for these advertising efforts. 

Mr. Weber mentions that “90% of tourists who come to Wyoming see everything through a windshield.” That may be somewhat accurate for most of Wyoming, but not Park County. Outdoor recreation is a huge draw to Park County: hiking, biking, fishing, motorsports, ATVs, boating, rafting, camping, etc. The advertisements that have been created with the lodging tax have always shown the beauty of our county, incredible wildlife, unique attractions and outdoor opportunities aimed at these tourists. The data shows that our out of state visitor spending in Park County continues to rise each year proving these campaigns’ effectiveness.

Keep in mind that the purpose of ad campaigns that the tax is used for is to attract people from all over the world, who, despite Mr. Weber’s point of view, might not think like the average person in Park County. The success of these campaigns is measured by how effective they are in drawing these visitors to Park County. Despite Mr. Weber’s expertise in advertising, we must look at the data which does show that these marketing dollars are driving millions of dollars in outside money to Park County every year.

These dollars are the engine of our economy in Park County (alongside energy production and agriculture) and support nearly all industries and businesses. Every store, restaurant, gas station and hotel in the county rely on these visitors to exist, let alone succeed. And every other business and profession in Park County relies on these core industries to exist.  

I am thankful that our Constitution provides the platform for civil and healthy debate and discourse. I ask that you consider my point of view and join me in voting for the lodging tax renewal.

Dusty Spomer

Cody