Last week, two measures to cut property taxes were removed from the ballot after Colorado legislators reached a new compromise on property taxes. This compromise follows a previous compromise in May to lower property taxes.
The initiatives, which would have drastically lowered property taxes, were backed by two conservative groups. Almost every year, Advance Colorado and Colorado Concern put forth a ballot initiative to lower taxes. Because of the wording required by TABOR, the actual implications of the initiatives are often obscured.
During a special session, the General Assembly approved House Bill 1001, resulting in additional property tax cuts. As part of the compromise, voters will not weigh in on two conservative-backed property tax ballot measures which would have been more drastic.
The Bell Policy Center said that May’s compromise measure achieved a “delicate balance” by permanently reducing property taxes, particularly on low- and middle-value homes, while protecting K-through-12 funding and creating predictability for homeowners and local governments.
But with this new compromise comes a tighter revenue squeeze for Colorado’s local governments, and that threat was underscored by Representative Cathy Kipp of Fort Collins who pointed out that services such as wildlife mitigation, transportation for older residents, traffic safety and criminal investigations would be impacted.
IndivisibleNOCO is angry that these groups were able to hold Colorado hostage to their regressive tax agenda. No one likes to pay taxes and, since fiscal policy is not the most exciting topic, they count on people not paying attention. However, taxes fund critical public good services like safety, education and quality of life. When making decisions on how we will vote on ballot measures, IndivisibleNOCO looks at who is backing the measures and the motivations of the backers. We will always be opposed to tax measures backed by groups that want to eliminate government services or create regressive tax policies in which lower income residents bear a higher proportion of the tax burden (e.g., a flat tax).