I enjoyed reading the recent article in The Durango Herald by Frank Lockwood, executive director of the Durango Area Tourism Office, addressing the need to retain lodging taxes for tourism marketing efforts (“Lodgers tax should be used to promote Durango,” Sept. 29). Here in Pagosa Springs we have had several attempts by local leaders to siphon portions of our lodging tax to support other projects. This is a dangerous trend.
It remains vitally important that lodging tax revenues be fully invested in promoting tourism in our area. If those funds are allowed to accumulate, they become a target for every unsustainable program in need of funding.
Michael Heraty
Pagosa Springs
