Denver to Fund Convention Center Expansion With a New 'Tourism Improvement District'

Denver has approved a new Tourism Improvement District to help cover the cost of the $233 million expansion project at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver.

1 minute read

June 29, 2017, 8:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Denver, Colorado

A rendering of the proposed expansion. / Colorado Convention Center Master Plan

"Hotel industry leaders received a green light Monday from the Denver City Council to initiate a new kind of tourism tax that would help pay for a rooftop expansion on the Colorado Convention Center," reports Jon Murray.

"The city’s convention center project calls for an 80,000-square-foot ballroom and a 50,000-square-foot outdoor terrace with mountain and downtown views, built atop the existing parking garage," adds Murray. "The project also includes technology upgrades and renovations of three downstairs lobbies."

Hotels will still need to approve the district, which will add a one percent surcharge when staying at Denver hotels with more than 50 rooms. There are actually several layers of approvals required from the hotel industry, as Murray details in the article. The cost of the project has increased a great deal since the original proposal—up to $233 million from $104 million

Monday, June 26, 2017 in The Denver Post

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

September 16, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

Passengers board an Amtrak train under a cloudy sky.

Amtrak, CN end decades-long dispute with eight-year agreement

The new operating agreement establishes an updated framework for the companies to work together, including processes to resolve disputes.

September 18, 2026 - Mass Transit

Geese flock to a frozen pond in Aurora, Colorado. There are houses in the background.

Colorado’s Largest Data Center Could Rise Next to Homes — Without a Public Hearing

The proposed campus would consume 11 times the power of Denver International Airport; as it has across the country, opposition mounts.

September 17, 2026 - Capital & Main

A busy highway in Richmond, with construction and the city visible in the background.

'This is going to be painful:’ Virginia stares down $1.7 billion funding gap for highway maintenance

The state may address the deficit by shifting $290 million from its construction budget to maintenance projects.

September 19 - The Virginia Mercury

The Gross Reservoir, a large body of water surrounded by trees and mountains.

Judges permit Denver to divert 77,000 acre feet from the Colorado River for reservoir expansion

Overuse and climate change have caused the Colorado River’s water levels to plummet.

September 18 - Inside Climate News

Passengers board an Amtrak train under a cloudy sky.

Amtrak, CN end decades-long dispute with eight-year agreement

The new operating agreement establishes an updated framework for the companies to work together, including processes to resolve disputes.

September 18 - Mass Transit