Sales tax collections, a measure of retail activity, continue to increase on a year-over-year basis in Grand Junction and Mesa County.

The City of Grand Junction collected more than $4.6 million in sales taxes in December, a 22.7 percent increase compared to the same month a year ago.

Mesa County collected more than $3.6 million in sales taxes, a 19.2 percent gain over December 2020.

Use and lodging tax collections also increased. December tax reports reflect November sales.

The city collected a total of nearly $5.6 million in sales and use taxes, including nearly $845,000 as the city share of sales taxes collected by Mesa County. That’s a 22 percent increase over December 2020.

The city collected a total of more than $931,000 in sales and use taxes earmarked for public safety and first responders.

For all of 2021, the city collected a total of almost $69 million in sales and use taxes, a 20.6 percent gain over 2020. Sales tax collections rose 21 percent, while use tax collections increased 17.8 percent.

The city collected a total of more than $11.5 million in taxes for public safety and first responders.

Mesa County collected a total of more than $4 million in sales and use taxes in December, 20.8 percent more than the same month a year ago.

The county collected more than $1.4 million in taxes on retail sales, a 16.1 percent gain over December 2020 Sales tax collections increased 14.7 percent on autos, 14.5 percent on home improvements and 32.2 percent on hotel stays and restaurant meals.

For all of 2021, Mesa County collected a total of nearly $48.5 million in sales and use taxes, a 20.8 percent increase over 2020.

Tax collections on retail sales exceeded $13.2 million, an 18.9 percent gain. Sales taxes collections increased 16.4 percent on automobiles, 27.4 percent on home improvements and 28.9 percent on hotel stays and restaurant meals.

Lodging tax collections, a measure of hotel and motel stays in Grand Junction, also increased.

The City of Grand Junction also collected nearly $220,000 in lodging taxes in December, a 60.3 percent gain over the same month last year.

For all of 2021, the city collected nearly $3.7 million in lodging taxes, a 58.5 percent increase over 2020.