Category Archives: Colorado Legislature

The TABOR Committee’s position on Proposition LL and Proposition MM

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The TABOR Committee has taken a position on Proposition LL and Proposition MM.  As someone who follows our work, please consider our recommendations.

Please vote in this election and vote NO on both propositions.

Reasons for our position are stated below:

  • Both measures deal with raising taxes for school meal programs.  The program was passed just a couple years ago, is just now being implemented, and already the government is twisting the taxpayers’ arms for even more funds.  LL would cost $67 Million EACH year and MM would collect $103 Million and rising each and every year.
  • In a year when the state budget is leading to cuts, these higher taxes would be directed only to this new and untested program.
  • Colorado’s income tax report uses the federal tax report (1140) as its basis.  These measures enhance the process of creating a different method for calculating State taxes.  Our citizens are headed toward having to fill out a second report that uses a different set of rules.  That leads to many more hours to file your taxes, using a different basis, and creating real reporting headaches.

Proponents hope that you will support the measures because they “soak the rich.”  Think about how all the states that treat wealth as something terrible are seeing people escape those states and move to places where success is not punished.

These measures continue to move the state away from the citizen-approved concept of taxing income at one rate.

Under TABOR, as people earn more income, they pay more taxes, but everybody’s tax rate is the same, so no one is treated differently.

#VoteNoOnPropLL
#VoteNoOnPropMM
#OnlyTaxIncreasesAreOnTheBallot,NotTaxDecreases
#ItsYourMoneyNotTheirs
#DontBeFooled
#VoteOnTaxesAndFees
#FeesAreTaxes
#TABOR
#FollowTheMoney
#FollowTheLaw
#ThankGodForTABOR
#HandsOffTABOR

Oct 16

The 2025 Blue Book provides explanations of the two statewide ballot measures in Colorado

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#VoteNoOnPropLL
#VoteNoOnPropMM
#OnlyTaxIncreasesAreOnTheBallot,NotTaxDecreases
#ItsYourMoneyNotTheirs
#DontBeFooled
#VoteOnTaxesAndFees
#FeesAreTaxes
#TABOR
#FollowTheMoney
#FollowTheLaw
#ThankGodForTABOR
#HandsOffTABOR

Colorado’s November 2025 election

The 2025 Blue Book provides explanations of the two statewide ballot measures in Colorado, meant to help voters understand both sides of the issues at hand.

What’s in this year’s Blue Book? Your guide to Colorado’s November 2025 election

The 2025 Blue Book provides explanations of the two statewide ballot measures in Colorado, meant to help voters understand both sides of the issues at hand.

What’s in the blue book? Your guide to Colorado’s November election.

By: Colette Bordelon

Posted 11:09 PM, Oct 14, 2025

DENVER — As ballots begin to arrive in Colorado mailboxes, another important piece of mail is ready to greet them: the 2025 Blue Book.

This year’s book details two statewide ballot measures, the arguments for and against them, and what a “yes” and “no” votes mean.

One of the statewide ballot measures detailed in the Blue Book is Proposition LL.

The statewide ballot measures, Proposition LL and Proposition MM, were referred by the legislature and need a simple majority to pass.

Proposition LL aims to retain and spend excess state revenue collected from Proposition FF, also known as Healthy School Meals for All. Proposition FF, which was passed by Colorado voters in 2022, created a program that reimburses participating school meal providers offering free breakfast and lunch to all public school students. Schools must participate in the National School Lunch Program and receive federal meal funding to qualify.

Proposition LL would allow the state to use $12.4 million in excess tax revenue collected under Proposition FF for the Healthy School Meals for All Program, instead of refunding it to households that earn $300,000 or more a year. In addition, Proposition LL would maintain current tax deduction limits for households earning $300,000 or more annually, which are expected to be lowered next year.

A “yes” vote on Proposition LL allows the state to keep and spend $12.4 million in tax revenue that has already been collected for the Healthy School Meals for All Program and maintains current taxes on households earning $300,000 or more annually.

A “no” vote on Proposition LL means the state will refund $12.4 million to households earning $300,000 or more annually and allows deduction limits to change as scheduled under current law, which will lower taxes paid by these households.

So, why is Proposition LL on the ballot? The answer lies in the Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR), which requires voter approval for the state to keep any revenue collected that exceeded a Blue Book estimate. In this instance, the 2022 Blue Book found that Proposition FF would increase tax revenue by $100.7 million in the 2023-24 budget year. The state ended up collecting $112 million, roughly $11.3 million more than expected, according to the Blue Book.

If Proposition LL does not pass, the $11.3 million excess, plus the $1.1 million in interest, would be refunded to households making $300,000 or more a year. In addition, the amount of taxes those households pay would be reduced in the future, as the current law requires under TABOR. Continue reading →

Oct 02

Chainsaw Caucus Alert: Prop LL & MM – TABOR Workaround & Hidden Tax Hike!

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ChainsawCaucus @ChainsawCaucus posted this on X

Chainsaw Caucus Alert: Prop LL & MM – TABOR Workaround & Hidden Tax Hike!

Colorado Patriots, it’s time to sharpen your chainsaws! Propositions LL and MM on the November 2025 ballot are being sold as “saving school lunches” and “helping kids,” but don’t be fooled—these are slick moves to bypass TABOR and raise your taxes! Here’s the breakdown from your Chainsaw Caucus crew, ready to cut through the spin.

Prop LL: TABOR’s Backdoor Bust

– What They Say: Prop LL “retains” extra revenue from Prop FF (2022’s school meals tax on high earners) to keep funding free lunches for all kids. Sounds noble, right?

– The Truth: This is a TABOR dodge! TABOR (our Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights) says any revenue over projections must be refunded to YOU, the taxpayer. Prop LL lets the state keep $50-100M a year that should come back to your wallet, no questions asked. They’re calling it “surplus retention,” but it’s a blank check for bureaucrats to lock up funds without voter say. Once it’s gone, good luck getting it back!

– Why It Stinks: TABOR exists to protect us from runaway spending. Prop LL flips the bird to that, tying up your money for a program that’s already ballooned to $200M a year (double what they planned). No accountability, no flexibility for budget crises. Just a feel-good excuse to hoard cash.

 

Prop MM: Straight-Up Tax Hike

– What They Say: Prop MM “tweaks” taxes on folks earning over $300K to raise ~$95M for school meals and SNAP benefits. They claim it’s just for kids and won’t hit your pocket.

– The Truth: This is a TAX INCREASE, plain and simple. It caps deductions at $1,000 (single) or $2,000 (joint) for high earners, jacking up their state taxes. Think it won’t affect you? Those 200,000 households (6% of filers) are business owners, job creators, and innovators who might just pack up and leave Colorado, taking jobs with them. Plus, nothing stops the state from lowering that $300K threshold later—today’s “rich” could be YOU tomorrow.

– TABOR Trick: Prop MM dresses up as TABOR-compliant by asking for your vote, but it’s a one-way street. Once approved, that $95M is locked into meals and SNAP forever, starving other priorities like roads or schools when budgets get tight. It’s ballot-box budgeting—handcuffing lawmakers and dodging TABOR’s spirit.

 

The Big Picture: Together, LL and MM are a masterclass in government overreach. LL keeps your TABOR refunds hostage; MM slaps new taxes on the table. Both prop up a bloated program (meals for all kids, even wealthy ones) that’s already failing to stay on budget. Meanwhile, Colorado’s facing an $800M shortfall, and these measures just make it harder to pivot. They’re not about “kids”; they’re about locking in spending and screwing taxpayers.

 

Chainsaw Caucus Call to Action

– Vote NO on Props LL and MM on Nov. 4, 2025! Protect TABOR, your wallet, and Colorado’s economic future.

– Spread the Word: Share this post on X and tell your neighbors—these props are a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

– Join the Fight: Follow @ChainsawCaucus for more updates on slashing government waste and keeping Colorado free!

 

Disclaimer: This post reflects the Chainsaw Caucus’s take—no fluff, just facts. Check ballot language at http://coloradosos.gov. Let’s keep the government’s hands off our money! ?

https://x.com/ChainsawCaucus/status/1973026323502084182

#ItsYourMoneyNotTheirs
#DontBeFooled
#VoteOnTaxesAndFees
#FeesAreTaxes
#TABOR
#FollowTheMoney
#FollowTheLaw
#ThankGodForTABOR
#HandsOffTABOR

 

Sep 17

Colorado Taxpayers Facing Threats from Big Government Advocates & Authoritarian Legislators

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Links from video: https://freestatecolorado.com/herman/ A new proposed tax increase would be disastrous for Colorado. The economy is already struggling and many Coloradans are having trouble making ends meet. And yet, greedy politicians and their authoritarian allies working for non-profits want to take more of our money. Thankfully, we have people like Nash Herman who analyze policy and expose the implications of these schemes. Nash works for the Independence Institute in Denver, a Free-Market think tank. In this video, Nash explains why tax increases are a bad idea and shares insight into the mindset of greedy big government advocates.

Sep 06

Colorado legislators deny move to delete ‘tax increase’ language in ballot title in statewide publication

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Colorado legislators on Thursday rejected an attempt to change the title of a ballot measure in a widely disseminated publication in order to avoid mentioning that it would result in a tax increase for households with incomes above $300,000 a year.

The proponent of the change argued that keeping “tax increase” in the measure’s title would suggest that everybody’s taxes are going up. Legislators who balked at the move said the proposal, indeed, increases taxes — and policymakers should not hide that fact.

At issue is Proposition MM, which seeks to raise $95 million more for a school lunch program offered free to all K-12 students. Voters had approved the program in 2022, but it has run in the red from the beginning, given that every public school child can now receive a free breakfast and lunch, regardless of income.

Lawmakers had been scrambling to fill that funding gap in the last two years. They have since decided to ask voters to raise the tax liability of residents earning above the $300,000 threshold. That proposal is already slated for this November’s ballot.

Click (HERE) to continue reading this story at Colorado Politics.

Sep 06

The Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights is located in Section 20 of Article X of the Colorado Constitution. The text of the section is as follows:

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The Colorado Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR) requires voter approval for all new taxes, tax rate increases, extensions of expiring taxes, mill levy increases, valuation for property assessment increases, or tax policy changes resulting in increased tax revenue.

Titles shall have this order of preference: “NOTICE OF ELECTION TO INCREASE TAXES/TO INCREASE DEBT/ON A CITIZEN PETITION/ON A REFERRED MEASURE.”

https://ballotpedia.org/Colorado_Taxpayer%27s_Bill_of_Rights_(TABOR)

Sep 04

Ballot measure seeks tax hike for higher income earners in 2026

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A coalition led by a Colorado think tank will file a ballot initiative on Wednesday to raise state income tax rates on annual household incomes and corporations with earnings above $500,000.

The ballot measure, which sets up a “graduated” income tax, would also provide a tax break for households with incomes below the $500,000 threshold.

Broadly speaking, under a graduated income tax — which is also known as “progressive” tax — the rates are divided into brackets. The lower brackets pay a smaller rate; the higher levels are taxed a bigger rate. A graduated system would eliminate Colorado’s flat tax rate.

Under the coalition’s proposal, the higher bracket would pay more so that even with the tax break for incomes below $500,000, the graduated system would still pull in a bigger net revenue for the state government.

Click (HERE) to continue reading this TABOR article at Colorado Politics