DENVER --- The Denver Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau has scrapped its proposal for a 1% car rental tax hike to help replenish its coffers. The proposed tax hike, which would have raised local rental taxes from 13.5% to 14.35%, spurred protests from the car rental industry.

The visitors bureau had no such change of heart when it came to a proposed 1% hotel tax hike. As a result, a Denver City Council committee approved the tax plan Wednesday, July 20. If city council members give final approval in August, local voters will consider the hotel tax hike in November.

The Metro Denver Hotel Association supports the hotel tax hike because it will fund tourism marketing efforts. If approved by voters, the hotel tax will rise from 13.85% to 14.85%.