Should Hotel And Car Taxes Pay For The National Western Redo?

Photo: National Western Stock Show Future key elements
The master plan draft fror the National Western complex includes 15 key site elements.

A 10-year plan to turn an aging Denver arena into a global agriculture destination started Wednesday when city officials kicked off a tax campaign to pay for the makeover at the National Western Stock Show.

Mayor Michael Hancock launched the campaign with a promise that the dilapidated network of buildings near Interstate 70 will become a showpiece for the city and draw international visitors.

The makeover would cost about $856 million. The plan relies on getting Denver residents to vote this fall to extend lodging and car rental taxes that were hiked to pay for the Colorado Convention Center. The tax extension would raise about $476 million for the rebranded National Western Complex.

The site plays host to the National Western Stock Show each January.