Reader comments
Colorful welcome billboards tout state's diverse tourism options

Traveling Man | 9:05 a.m. July 1, 2008

Welcome to Utah! Didja see our new billboards? We love billboards. Please set your watch back to 1950.

No more billboards | 9:42 a.m. July 1, 2008

The billboards are overwhelming. They make the state look ugly along the highways. There are several states that outlaw billboards, Utah should too. The funny thing is, I recently took the online Utah driver's course, and it said that billboards are a major distraction and cause for accidents in Utah. So let's put some more up.

woopee | 9:56 a.m. July 1, 2008

They do need to replace the 2002 Olympic welcome billboards. It looks kinda sad that the state is still promoting its major claim to fame as something that happened nearly 6 years ago.

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Utahan. | 10:36 a.m. July 1, 2008

Counting down the mile markers driving wast of I 80, the most welcoming signs is Leaving Utah and Entering Nevada. I've never been harassed in Nevada for having California plates. Nevada sage smells as sweet after a summer rain.

In Nevada, there are many Mormons. They don't force their beliefs on you by using government.

I don't like gambling or Las Vegas. I'm a native Utahan with thousands of family members in Utah. Yes, I have mu bias. If I wasn't a native Utahan being treated like your a drug smuggler by the UHP wouldn't be so offensive.

The best way to keep travelers out of Utah is for them to vacation in Utah. There is nothing like the feeling they love your money and the dislike you.

Ema | 11:13 a.m. July 1, 2008

Why on Earth did they put serifs on the bottom of the U in Utah? It looks completely bizarre.

ugly | 11:55 a.m. July 1, 2008

A better use of tax money would be to take down the billboards. There are 5 states that totally ban billboards: Ironically, their econonomies are based upon tourism. While these new billboards advertise Utah - most of our billboards advertise casinos in Nevada (on a recent road trip, I found it interesting that the fisrt billboard I saw entering Saint George was for a casino in Wendover: same coming from Evanston). Reagan outdoor advertising has been one of the single largest donors to the Legislature for numerous years. They have been successful in getting perks for billboard companies unheard of by any other industry (except perhaps nuclear waste). It is time to clean up Utah by getting rid of billboards - not spend tax money on billboards making the state more ugly.

personally a fan | 12:07 p.m. July 1, 2008

I'm not a fan of billboards in general, but I like to see the welcome sign billboards in all states! They're kind of fun on road trips.

Hatuletoh | 12:14 p.m. July 1, 2008

Paging Doctor Sarvis, paging Doctor Alexander K. Sarvis. Your assistance will billboard issues is urgently needed. Please bring Ms. Abzug.

Sooo... | 12:47 p.m. July 1, 2008

Is there a we're anti polygamy billboard? Or a green Jell-O one or a funeral potatoes one? How about a head in the sand one?? I mean c'mon, give the tourists what they want! How about a billboard explaining our liquor laws? Or my favorite, one that says; "Utah...Don't like it here? Then why don't you go somewhere else??"

A little truth in advertising would be nice for a change don't you think???

Oh Please | 1:04 p.m. July 1, 2008

Please please please prohibit billboards! Have you driven Vermont and seen how beautiful it is? No billboards. Drive I15 and just try to get a peek at the majestic Wasatch behind all the cheesy billboards.

uncannygunman | 1:32 p.m. July 1, 2008

Welcome to Utah (A private club for members). Please present ID, fill out this paperwork, and submit $4 for a visit up to three weeks or $15 for a whole year.

Deseret Dawg | 9:00 p.m. July 1, 2008

Considering that we just got rid of a dinosaur on June 24th, I think it's odd that we're now putting another one up along our eastern border.

Easy Rider | 1:46 p.m. Oct. 4, 2008

The least the state can do is tax billboards based on their advertising revenue, which is significant. They should be treated as real property, not personal property, and taxed the same as any other investment property.

Some other states tax them based on income and then the values get up into the $1,000,000 range per face and provide the local community $25,000 to $50,000 per face in local revenue.

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3 photos

Utah Office of Tourism

The Utah Office of Tourism is placing welcome signs with dinosaurs on highways entering the eastern part of the state, near Dinosaur National Monument.

Gallery (3 photos)