Ryman Hospitality Properties dropped a lawsuit against Adams County in June 2026 over a property-tax dispute regarding the Gaylord Rockies hotel [1, 2].
The resolution of the legal battle marks a turning point for the Aurora, Colorado, property, though it comes at the cost of planned growth. The dispute had created significant financial uncertainty that halted a major development project for the resort [1, 2].
The owners of the Gaylord Rockies had planned to add 450 rooms to the existing facility [1]. This expansion was intended to increase the capacity of the resort to meet regional demand and enhance its position as a primary destination in the U.S. West [1, 2].
The owners said the long-running tax dispute made the expansion financially untenable [1, 2]. The legal conflict centered on property-tax assessments in Adams County, which the hospitality company contested in court. Because the financial risks became too high, the company decided to end the legal fight rather than continue pursuing the expansion under the current tax conditions [1, 2].
The decision to withdraw the lawsuit was finalized last month, as reported in July [2]. While the legal proceedings have concluded, the immediate future of the 450-room expansion remains stalled [1, 2].
Local officials in Adams County and the management at Ryman Hospitality Properties have not provided further details on whether a different compromise will be reached to revive the project in the future [1, 2].
“The owners said the long-running tax dispute made the expansion financially untenable.”
The decision to drop the lawsuit suggests that Ryman Hospitality Properties prioritized financial stability over aggressive growth in the Aurora market. By conceding the tax dispute, the company avoids further legal costs and uncertainty, but the loss of 450 potential rooms represents a significant reduction in projected revenue and capacity for the region's tourism infrastructure.
