WASHINGTON – TRALA and its industry allies are opposing legislation that would impose a statewide $6 per day tax on motor vehicle rentals in
Colorado. The daily tax would apply to rentals for periods less than 45 days, including renewals, occurring in the state.

Immediately following the bill’s introduction on Apr. 24, TRALA contacted its lead sponsor, Senator Abel Tapia, to express opposition to the rental tax provision. The proposal, Senate Bill 244, is currently scheduled for a hearing on Apr. 28 in the Senate Committee on State, Veterans, and Military Affairs. 

“This ill-thought tax proposal has been fast-tracked for passage by the Colorado Senate leadership before the legislature adjourns in just a few short weeks,” said TRALA President and CEO Peter Vroom. “There is no time to waste in opposing this egregious and discriminatory tax on our industry and we are on the case.”

The broad rental tax proposed in SB 244 would be imposed on both consumer and commercial vehicle rentals and would apply to both cars and trucks. In a letter to Senator Tapia, Vroom emphasized that “vehicle rental taxes directly harm Colorado residents and businesses.” In many cases, lawmakers mistakenly believe, or prefer to believe, that vehicle rental taxes only impact out-of-state visitors, TRALA said.

For more information on SB 244 and its proposed rental tax provisions, contact TRALA’s Tom James at (703) 299-9120 or at tjames@trala.org.