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Basalt will light up holiday trees

Basalt will host the first of two holiday tree lighting events today at Lions Park.

The Christmas lights will be turned on at the large blue spruce tree at the downtown park after dark. The event will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. and feature caroling, ornament decorating and visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Chili, cider and cookies will be served.



A second tree lighting will be held Dec. 12 at Triangle Park in Willits Town Center. That event will also be held from 4 to 6 p.m. and feature many of the same activities.




Snowmass sales up in October

Snowmass Village sales tax collections increased by 9.1 percent in October over the same month last year, according to a report by the town Finance Department.

The offseason month is typically not a big breadwinner for village businesses, but mild fall weather drove occupancy numbers up by 44 percent. That increase seems to have trickled down to other sectors, based on the report, which divides local businesses into categories by industry.

Industries that saw increases in collections were restaurants, 38.4 percent; sports equipment and clothing, 30.6 percent; food, drug and liquor, 12 percent; general retail, 6.2 percent; miscellaneous, 40.4 percent; and utilities, 7.5 percent.

Ironically, the only category that saw a decrease in sales tax revenue was lodging, down by 6.2 percent. The lodging tax, a 2.4 percent tax charged to guests who stay in accommodations less than 30 days, similarly reported a decrease of 6.1 percent.

Collections from the real estate transfer tax decreased year-over-year by 58.9 percent.

Sales tax collections for the year to date are up 6 percent.