Despite a weakened national economy, city of Aspen retail sales and lodging tax collections saw healthy growth in August compared to the same month in 2007.
Sales tax collections rose 6.2 percent in August over the same month last year. The total retail spending mark for August of $49.5 million was 6.1 percent higher than last year.
Year to date sales tax collections through August are 6.7 percent higher than 2007.
August saw strong growth in the tourist accommodations and restaurant and bars sector. General retail, clothing stores and T-shirt shops all saw declines.
The city’s real estate transfer tax, which levies a 1.5 percent fee on top of all real estate transactions in the city, continues its decline. Through September, the RETT is off 43 percent year to date from 2007.
