jmtandem wrote:
As a native Coloradoan, I get zero of your money,
I seriously doubt this to be true. Typically when a segment of the economy is booming it affects all the economy. They pay for things that also benefit you and everybody, albeit perhaps indirectly. Sometimes the best economic model is to let others pay for the things you need/like. And since tourists typically go home after leaving their money in your state, you benefit.
The problem is that the towns have to build infrastructure needed for a much larger number of people than the actual population. Bigger law enforcement organizations, bigger hospitals, more parking. Sure, some is supported by taxes paid by visitors, but we pay too.
Another example are schools. A fair percentage of the job growth in the last few years has been to support the tourist industry. That means more families and more kids. Our school district got voter approval for a bond issue to build a new elementary school, enlarge an existing one, and increase the bus capacity to serve students living in new housing further away from school. All of that money is coming from property taxes, not from tourists. (Maybe I should set up a GoFundMe page if you all would like to make contributions ;) )
