Sales tax collections — a key measure of retail activity — continue to trend upward in Grand Junction and Mesa County.

The City of Grand Junction reported a 13.3 percent increase in sales tax collections in September compared to the same month a year ago. Mesa County reported an 18.7 percent year-over-year increase with gains in seven of eight retail categories.

Grand Junction lodging tax collections also rose.

September reports reflect August sales.

The City of Grand Junction collected more than $5.4 million in sales taxes in September. That’s an increase of nearly $636,000 over what was collected a year ago.

The city also collected more than $908,000 as its share of sales tax Mesa County collects and distributes back to municipalities — a 7.3 percent gain.

In addition, the city collected more than $124,000 in use taxes, a smaller and more volatile source of revenue. That was a 16.2 percent decline.

September sales and use tax revenues for the city have increased in each of the last five years.

Through the first three quarters of 2022, the city collected more than $47.7 million in sales tax. That’s an increase of more than $4.5 million and 10.5 percent compared to the same span in 2021.

The city collected nearly $7.9 million in its share of sales tax from the county and almost $1.2 million in use taxes.

Mesa County collected nearly $4.5 million in sales taxes in September, an increase of more than $705,000 over the same month last year.

The county also collected almost $414,000 in use taxes —nearly all of those assessed on automobiles purchased outside the county, but used in the county. That’s a decrease of more than $58,000 and 12.4 percent from the same month last year.

County collections on retail sales topped $2.6 million in September, an increase of 18.8 percent over the same month last year. Collections increased on a year-over-year basis for every retail category except health and personal care products, which declined 12.2 percent. Collections increased 30.7 percent on autos and 13.3 percent on home improvements. Collections also increased on food, beverages and gasoline although that could reflect higher prices resulting from inflation.

County sales tax collections also increased in September for most other industries with a 9.8 percent year-over-year gain in hotel stays and restaurant meals, an 18.5 percent increase in manufacturing and 26.2 percent increase in telecommunications.

Through the first three quarters of 2022, Mesa County collected $36.4 million in sales taxes. That’s an increase of more than $3.6 million and 11.1 percent from the same span in 2021.

Use tax collections increased 3.3 percent to nearly $3.3 million.

County tax collections on retail sales during the first three quarters of 2022 totaled nearly $22 million, an increase of more than $1.6 million and 7.9 percent over the same span in 2021. Collections increased for all but one category with a 2.3 percent decrease on health and personal care items.

Sales tax collections also increased in all but one industry category, including a 9 percent increase in the hotel and restaurant sector, a 15.5 percent increase in manufacturing and a 23.8 percent increase in telecommunications.

Lodging tax collections, a measure of hotel and motel stays, continued to increase in Grand Junction.

The City of Grand Junction collected $451,679 in lodging taxes in September, an increase of 27.8 percent over the same month last year. September collections reflect August hotel and motel stays.

Through the first three quarters of 2022, the city collected nearly $3.5 million in lodging taxes. That’s an increase of about 33 percent over the first three quarters of 2021.