The City of Colorado Springs announced on Apr. 22 that it is accepting applications for the 2027 Lodgers and Automobile Rental Tax (LART) Grant Program through Friday, May 22. The program aims to support events and projects that attract visitors to the area and boost the local economy.
The LART Grant Program provides funding to organizations that help increase tourism activity in Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak Region. According to city officials, these grants are intended to bring economic and cultural benefits by drawing more visitors to the community. Eligible organizations are encouraged to carefully review all application materials before submitting their proposals.
This year, applicants will notice a change in the process: all submissions must be completed online. Details about key dates, deadlines, and application requirements can be found at ColoradoSprings.gov/LARTGrants.
To assist prospective applicants, two public information sessions will be held at City Hall on April 30 at 2 p.m. and May 14 at 4:30 p.m. During these sessions, staff will provide an overview of the program, explain application requirements, and discuss updates for this cycle.
For this round of funding, five tourism-sector organizations have partnered with the city to evaluate applications based on standardized criteria within their areas of expertise. Final recommendations from these partners will be reviewed by the LART Citizens’ Advisory Committee before being submitted for approval by City Council.
Funds for the LART Grant Program come from taxes paid by visitors staying in local hotels or renting cars in Colorado Springs. These funds are then reinvested into community projects designed to further enhance tourism.
