Two Republican lawmakers introduced a bill today that would impose a 10-cent fee on every movie ticket sold in the state, beginning July 1, to help fund an incentive program for promoting film production in Colorado.
The measure, House Bill 1207, would funnel fee revenues to the “creative industries cash fund” administered by the Colorado Office of Film, Television and Media to offer incentives for the production of feature films, television pilots, television series, commercials, music videos, documentaries and other film projects.
The incentive program offers film producers a 10 percent cash rebate for production costs incurred in Colorado.
To qualify for the incentive program, a Colorado-based production company must spend at least $100,000 in state on a film project and a company based out-of-state must show at least $250,000 in qualifying in-state expenses, according to the Colorado film office.
Additionally, for a company to bid for the film production incentive, at least 25 percent of the workers on the film project must be Colorado residents.
Reactions from moviegoers on Friday at downtown’s Denver Pavilions was mixed, and for many was dependent on the true outcomes for the state.
“It’s ridiculous,” said Michelle Coleman, of Denver. “We already spend hundreds of dollars on movies. It might be good if they create jobs, but why at our expense? And what kind of jobs would they be? Would it really help Colorado?”
Alexandra Hall also has more questions about how the funds would be used, but said it could be positive.
“It might be good if it really provided Colorado with additional jobs,” Hall said.
The proposed 10-cent fee on movie tickets would augment money in the incentive fund that now comes from gaming industry sources, a state film official said.
The movie-fee bill was sponsored Sen. Nancy Spence, R-Centennial, and Rep. Tom Massey, R-Poncha Springs.
Neither Spence nor Massey could be reached Friday evening for comment on their bill.
It is not uncommon for lawmakers to propose measures involving fee increases in lieu of tax hikes, which require voter approval under provisions of TABOR, the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights.
Denver native, Patricia Maxwell said she hopes legislators do their research to find alternatives.
“The state and city should be encouragement enough to come,” Maxwell said. “We have such nice scenery and nice neighborhoods. How much more do they need?”
