As an incentive to encourage voters to support a sales tax referendum, the City created Food Sales Tax Refunds. It was intended to reimburse voters for the approximate amount of sales tax that they would pay annually on grocery purchases due to the imposition of a 1% City sales tax.

Originally, it amounted to $7 per person per year. Currently, it is $50 per person per year. If you are blind, you receive an additional $50. Additionally, if you are over 65 years of age, you will receive an additional $50, plus an additional $50 senior citizen allowance. These amounts are cumulative, so if you are over 65 and blind, you would receive $200 ($50 + $50 + $50 + $50).

Anyone who can prove they were a resident of the City of Aspen for the entire previous calendar year.

You complete the Food Sales Tax Refund Application form and submit it to the Finance Department along with sufficient information to prove your qualifications. If you are registered to vote as of the beginning (January 1st) and the ending (December 31st) of the previous calendar year with qualifying addresses within the Aspen city limits, you simply complete the application for refund between January 1st and April 15th of each year. If you are not registered to vote as indicated, you must prove your residency using one of the following criteria: 1) a lease agreement with name and address within the Aspen city limits for the applicable calendar year; or, 2) utility bills showing your name and address within the Aspen city limits for the applicable calendar year.

Your Food Sales Tax Refund Application must be submitted to the City Finance Department: Food Sales Tax Refund Finance Department City of Aspen 130 South Galena Street Aspen, Colorado 81611

All applications must be received on or before April 15, either by mail or hand-delivered to the Finance Department on or before 5:00 pm on April 15. (No postmarks will be accepted.) If the 15th should fall on a Saturday or Sunday, they will be due on the following Monday.

The City of Aspen Finance Department (970-920-5040), 130 South Galena Street, Aspen, Colorado 81611