News Now Blog

With Fremont County’s two percent lodging tax facing a December, 2016 sunset, the Board of Commissioners Tuesday voted to place a question on the November ballot asking voters to permanently approve the tax on lodging.   The lodging tax was originally approved by voters in 2001 with a five year sunset and was then renewed in 2006 with a ten year sunset.   After 14 years of proven experience and reliance on the lodging tax to promote the Royal Gorge region the Board of Commissioners decided it is time to ask the voters to make the tax permanent.

A tourist attraction that would be similar to the Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Center in Woodland Park has been given the green light by the Fremont County Board of Commissioners to be developed on eight mile hill west of Cañon City.   Dave and Zach Reynolds detailed their plans for the Royal Gorge Dinosaur Center to the commissioners at the August 11th board meeting.   The dinosaur attraction would feature animated dinosaurs, climbing attractions for kids, educational exhibits, a natural walking trail, ropes course, and retail sales.

Acknowledging that he appreciated a pay raise of 33 percent after voters approved a one cent sales tax increase for the Fremont County Sheriff’s Department, Deputy C.J.

Mountain Bark Beetles have devastated thousands of acres of timber across Colorado and the mountain west. The beetle is beginning to make stronger inroads into western Fremont County

The Bureau of Land Management’s Royal Gorge Field Office is seeking public comment on an environmental assessment for a forestry project to treat bark beetle infested areas in Fremont County.