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The city of Steamboat Springs released its January sales tax collection figures last week. Total collections were up 5.67 percent over January 2007, with the restaurant category seeing the biggest increase - 8.51 percent. Miscellaneous retail was up 6.07 percent, lodging was up 5.94 percent, utilities were up 5.35 percent, and liquor sales were up 4.35 percent. Sales tax collections on sporting goods dropped 0.43 percent from January 2007 figures.

Building-use tax collections for January increased 392.42 percent over January 2007, the city reported. That figure this year was $64,659, compared with $13,131 last year.

The accommodation tax increased 4.27 percent over January 2007.

Discussion of rural development this week

The Colorado Rural Development Council plans to introduce a compact for rural Colorado. The group has been working with partners including the Colorado Workforce Council, the Rural Workforce Consortium and the Economic Development Council of Colorado.

The Rural Development Council is planning a focus session for Tuesday at the Sheraton Steamboat Resort. The group, which says it recognizes the diversity of rural Colorado, aims to work and build consensus on crucial rural issues and concerns. The group also plans to serve the interests of individual regions and communities, which it is trying to do with Tuesday's sessions. The focus groups are intended to engage leaders in discussions concerning "the changing rural dynamics, challenges and opportunities for rural growth and sustainability - and to illustrate the interdependence of Colorado's urban and rural" areas.

Each focus group location consists of two sessions. The morning session is intended for business leaders of the community/region and will run from 9:30 a.m. to noon. The afternoon session is intended for city/town/county elected officials and key staff from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Discussions with local economic development organizations and work force leaders are planned for the lunch hour.

Participants were asked to confirm their attendance last week. Information is available through Michelle Alcott, Colorado Rural Development Council administrator, at (303) 934-9117 or malcott@ruralcolorado.org.