[Editor’s note: This letter was first submitted to The Gazette; the paper declined it citing concern over “several allegations.” In his letter, Weiss notes The Gazette’s failure to disclose a conflict of interest in an editorial it ran on Ballot Issue 2A. An editor’s note on the Bulletin’s stance on disclosures and taking ownership of mistakes may be found here.]
Manitou Springs faces a fiscal crisis. The sharp loss of millions of dollars in marijuana taxes after recreational MJ stores opened in neighboring Colorado Springs threatens the city’s ability to continue delivering needed public services to its residents and visitors.
Without replacement revenues, needed public safety, fire mitigation, parks maintenance, roadway repairs, ambulance services are at risk.
Instead of raising residents’ property or sales taxes – or slashing critical public services to cover this gap– the Manitou City Council weighed the options and voted to adjust the excise tax on amusement tickets, which tourists almost exclusively pay.
Let’s take a look at Manitou’s most profitable business, The Broadmoor’s Cog Railway.
The excise tax paid by the 325,000+ visitors who ride the Cog Railway each year helps cover our free bus shuttles and many other city services. This tax has not increased in more than half a century. The additional fee will amount to no more than a few dollars on top of the Cog’s average ticket price of more than $63. According to public filings, the Cog took in more than $27 million last year alone and earned the Broadmoor hotel, its owner, more than $7 million dollars in profits.
It is worth noting that this very profitable business has the same ownership as the Colorado Springs Gazette, a conflict-of-interest not revealed in the editorial opposing the Manitou Springs ballot question. (“No to 2A’s Crippling Tax Increase on Manitou’s Attractions,” Friday Oct. 10, 2025, page A5)
No wonder the newspaper editorializes that someone else cover the impact of the budget crunch.
In fact, it’s a myth that a few-dollar increase in the excise tax on amusement tickets would result in a decline in visitors to Manitou Springs and its attractions.
Back in 2017 when the Cog had to close for an overhaul, an average ticket cost $32. Two years later when the attraction reopened, the average ticket price had soared to $63. Did visitors to the Cog go down after ticket prices nearly doubled? Definitely not, according to the Broadmoor’s official filings with the State of Colorado. Ridership actually increased by almost 20%! The claim that an increase in excise tax would drive Cog visitors elsewhere is just fear mongering.
Manitou Springs ballot question 2A is a sensible, measured solution. A “yes” vote will enable the City to continue providing services that residents expect without imposing extra costs on them. Without it, the local quality of life will be negatively impacted for years to come. Not only will vital services have to be cut, but long-term capital needs – like replacing outdated water and sewer lines and fire mitigation needs – will have to be postponed.
Please vote “yes” on local measure 2A to protect Manitou Springs and its future.
[Editor’s note: A ballot drop-off box is available 24/7 outside of Manitou City Hall (606 Manitou Ave.). Ballots must be received by Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 4.]
Weiss previously served as the publisher of the Colorado Springs Independent and the Colorado Springs Business Journal. He is now the owner of the Historic Penny Arcade, Manitou’s third most popular tourist attraction behind the Broadmoor Cog and The Incline.
