Who must collect lodging tax in Colorado Springs?

Any business providing transient lodging as defined by the municipal code must collect and remit lodging (transient occupancy) tax; confirm applicability in the city code and business-tax pages.

How do I register for a business tax account?

Register using the City of Colorado Springs business tax registration procedures and forms provided on the city's tax pages or via the tax portal; contact City Finance for help.

What happens if I fail to remit taxes on time?

Late remittance may trigger interest, fines, administrative enforcement, and possible license actions; check the municipal code for specific penalty and appeal provisions.

Gross Receipts & Hotel Taxes in Colorado Springs

Taxation and Finance Colorado 4 Minutes Read · published February 08, 2026

Overview

Colorado Springs, Colorado requires businesses that provide taxable goods or lodging to register, collect and remit local taxes and fees under the city's tax ordinances. This guide explains where to find the municipal rules, who enforces them, and practical steps for businesses that operate hotels, short-term rentals or provide services potentially subject to gross-receipts-style local taxes. For official rules on business taxes and registration see the City of Colorado Springs business tax pages and municipal code below. City business tax information^[1]

Tax Basics and Scope

Colorado municipalities may authorize specific business taxes and a lodging (transient occupancy) tax; the exact taxable base, exemptions, and rates for Colorado Springs are set by the city's ordinances and administration. The municipal code and the city's tax pages are the controlling sources for definitions, taxable periods, and who must file. Municipal code (ordinances)^[2]

Businesses offering lodging or transient accommodations must determine whether receipts qualify as taxable lodging.
Retail and service businesses should confirm whether any city-level gross receipts or business license tax applies to their receipts under local ordinance wording.
Exemptions, deductions, and attribution rules are established in ordinance text and administrative guidance.

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement of Colorado Springs tax ordinances is typically handled by the City Finance (Revenue/Collections) division or the designated licensing office. The municipal code and the city's tax administration pages describe assessment, notice, and collection procedures; when the cited pages do not provide specific penalty amounts, this guide notes that fact and gives the official source to consult.

Monetary fines and interest: specific fine amounts or percentage rates are not specified on the cited city pages and must be confirmed in the municipal code or administrative rules cited below. Tax forms & instructions^[3]
Escalation: first, repeat, and continuing offence procedures or graduated penalties are not specified on the cited pages; consult the municipal code chapter for details. Municipal code (ordinances)^[2]
Non-monetary sanctions: administrative orders, license suspension or revocation, withholding of permits, lien or levy actions, and referral to courts are authorized by ordinance; exact remedies are defined in the municipal code.
Enforcer and complaints: the City Finance/Revenue office handles assessments and collections; taxpayers may contact the city tax office or file complaints per the contact pages in Resources below.
Appeals and review: appeal routes are set out in ordinance and administrative procedures; time limits for filing appeals or requesting review are governed by the code and are not specified on the general business-tax landing page.

If you receive a tax assessment, follow the city's appeal steps immediately to preserve rights.

Applications & Forms

To register and remit taxes, use the city-provided business tax registration and tax return forms. Where specific form names or numbers appear on the city's form pages, those are the official submissions; if a form name or number is not posted, the city indicates filing via the tax portal or revenue office. Official tax forms and filing instructions^[3]

Registration: business tax registration form (see tax-forms page for electronic registration options).
Filing frequency and deadlines: established by ordinance or administrative schedule on the city's tax pages.
Payment methods and penalties for late remittance: described on tax instructions; exact late-fee formulas are in ordinance or administrative guidance.

Some forms are filed electronically via the city's tax portal.

FAQ

Who must collect lodging tax in Colorado Springs?: Any business providing transient lodging as defined by the municipal code must collect and remit lodging (transient occupancy) tax; confirm applicability in the city code and business-tax pages.
How do I register for a business tax account?: Register using the City of Colorado Springs business tax registration procedures and forms provided on the city's tax pages or via the tax portal; contact City Finance for help.
What happens if I fail to remit taxes on time?: Late remittance may trigger interest, fines, administrative enforcement, and possible license actions; check the municipal code for specific penalty and appeal provisions.

How-To

Identify whether your receipts are taxable under Colorado Springs ordinances by reviewing the municipal code and business tax definitions.
Register for a business tax account with City Finance using the city registration form or online portal.
File returns and remit payments by the required filing frequency; retain records and receipts for the period required by ordinance.
If you receive an assessment, follow the city's appeal process promptly and meet any time limits stated in the ordinance.

Key Takeaways

Confirm taxable status for lodging and business receipts by consulting the municipal code and city tax pages.
Register and file on time to avoid administrative penalties and collection actions.