Lodgers Tax Reshaping Littleton Arts Scene

Littleton’s 5% lodgers tax, approved by voters in 2022 and collected since January 1, 2023, is now a standing source of money for arts, culture and tourism programs in the city. City grant pages say the tax applies to hotels, motels and short-term rentals within city limits, with part of the revenue directed into the Arts & Culture Grants program. (museum.littletonco.gov) Denver7 reported on July 30 that new data tied the policy to grant funding for galleries, concerts and other activations. Rachel King, Littleton’s economic development director, said the city’s arts and culture community now produces more than $48 million in annual economic impact. (denver7.com) ### Where does the money actually come from? Littleton voters approved the tax in 2022 as a 5% charge on lodging transactions, and the city says it is collected on taxable stays the same way as its sales tax. (museum.littletonco.gov) City materials describe the revenue as support for arts, culture and tourism, rather than a general operating fund. The city’s arts grant page says 2026 applicants had to be nonprofits with at least three consecutive years in operation, with programming inside Littleton city limits or plans to expand into the city using grant funds. That structure ties the tax receipts to local programming rather than unrestricted awards. (museum.littletonco.gov) ### How much grant money has been distributed so far? Littleton’s published arts reports show the Arts & Culture Board distributed about $850,000 in grant money in 2024 and $615,000 in 2025. The 2024 report said the city received 64 unique applications, more than double 2023 levels, while the 2025 report said 44 unique applications were received. (museum.littletonco.gov) The 2026 grant framework lists three awards of up to $20,000 for major initiatives, four awards of up to $8,000 for capacity building, and five awards of up to $2,000 for grassroots or emerging efforts. City officials have said the application window closed April 10, with budget approval scheduled for October, award notification in November and funds available in January 2027. (museum.littletonco.gov) ### What are arts groups saying the grants changed? Denver7 quoted Gold Orman, a local artist and volunteer at the Depot Art Gallery, saying the gallery and the Littleton Fine Arts Guild have received grant funding each year since the tax took effect. Dorothy Jaltuch, another artist and volunteer, said the money was used “mostly for publicity” and social media promotion. (museum.littletonco.gov) Those artists told Denver7 they had seen more visitors after using the grant funding to increase the gallery’s exposure. Their comments offered one of the clearest examples of how the city’s grant dollars are being spent at the organization level: promotion, audience-building and programming support. (museum.littletonco.gov) ### What does the city say the economic payoff looks like? Rachel King said the outside research found more than $48 million of annual economic impact from Littleton’s arts and culture community. The same Denver7 report said arts and culture accounted for 0.92% of the city’s gross domestic product, compared with a Colorado average of 0.38%, and supported 420 jobs. (denver7.com) The report also found that 15% to 20% of grant dollars were recouped through the lodgers tax, according to Denver7. King said arts and culture help market the community to workers, visitors and residents, and said that activity supports additional investment. (denver7.com) ### What happens next in Littleton? The 2026 grant calendar sets the next formal milestones in October, when Littleton City Council is scheduled to approve the budget, and in November, when applicants are to be notified of awards. The city says grant funds from that cycle become available in January 2027. (museum.littletonco.gov) (denver7.com)