Category Archives: Editorial

May 01

TABOR Gives Taxpayers a Voice

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TABOR Gives Taxpayers a Voice

By Dennis Polhill

A recent election result showed the great value of the requirement within the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights for voters to approve new taxes or debt.  There was a TABOR election in the Foothills Fire Protection District (FFPS).  The outcomes measure how upset voters were with the proposed actions of elected officials.

Ballot issue 6B would have allowed the District to issue new debt.  That was soundly defeated 74.11% to 25.89%

Ballot issue 6C would have increased taxes and it too was defeated, by 66.98% to 33.02%

The tactics used to obtain this taxpayer money were very questionable.  A former board member who painstakingly reviewed all meeting documentation learned that there had been absolutely zero public discussion of the proposed ballot measures prior to the August meeting when the measure was placed on the ballot.  Yet, the proposal passed unanimously – without discussion!  Had something been happening behind the scenes, in violation of the Sunshine laws?  Note that the August meeting was the last possible moment to meet the County Clerk’s deadline for a November citizen vote to put the referral to the ballot .

Paradise Hills Homeowners Association on Lookout Mountain accounts for close to half of the homes protected by FFPD and owns a vacant lot designated for open space use near an I-70 highway exit. At a Homeowners Association meeting an alert retired firefighter picked up on what was happening when it was mentioned that FFPD would buy the vacant lot for a new station for $400,000, yielding a significant rainy day fund or dues waiver for Homeowners Association owners.   Did FFPD intend to buy their votes with their own tax dollars?

Citizens immediately started getting the word out; flyers were printed, yard signs went up, and a couple of large banners created.  Comments on Nextdoor were not friendly to FFPD, resulting in the censoring from Nextdoor of some neighbors who posted information.

By this time the community was in angry uproar and five folks who otherwise likely would never have run for any office are now candidates for the five seats on the FFPD board due to be elected on May 2, 2023.

Mar 17

Bullet Point #1 Under Taxation In The Colorado Democrat Party Platform

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Did you know?
The Colorado Democrat’s party platform states that they want to eliminate TABOR?

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/6205490069ee021c5cb4f075/t/6260292fec2b017410bd0e73/1650469170651/Colorado+Democrats+2022+Platform.pdf

Mar 17

Will The Left Abolish TABOR?

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Friday @CompleteCO update:
@JonCaldara, @MichaelCLFields and @benamurrey on defending and strengthening the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights
#copolitics
http://CompleteColorado.com

https://twitter.com/CompleteCO/status/1636728225970946048?s=20

Click this link, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGkh2Kg-MJU, to watch Jon Caldara, Michael Fields, and Ben Murrey discuss TABOR;

 

Mar 09

Americans For Prosperity Supports the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights

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TABOR supporter,

Did you know Americans For Prosperity has been promoting and protecting TABOR, the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights?

Attached is a brochure with their latest activities.

You can learn more by checking their website, https://americansforprosperity.org/state/colorado/

The purpose of this letter is to share a list of Americans for Prosperity’s vigorous activities educating the public about TABOR over the last several months.

Since not everyone may have witnessed those efforts (much is visible on facebook and twitter), I’m including some social blurbs and photos. These blurbs just span back to the July-August 2022 period and I certainly haven’t included all their activities, though there’s more available.

 

AFP mailers to voters that refunds were thanks to TABOR.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then, AFP engaged in a gas promotion with unleaded at $2.38 per gallon. AFP covered the difference between the $2.38 and the going rate of $4.45. While drivers waited in line to get the promo gas price, AFP shared information about the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights, handed out promo materials and water. Continue reading →

Feb 22

Menten: How to get involved in the May special district elections

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Menten: How to get involved in the May special district elections

February 21, 2023 By Natalie Menten

 

There are over 4,500 local government agencies in Colorado. Nearly 3,000 of those are special districts. All of these agencies and special districts are included under our Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR).

Most voters wouldn’t be able to list off the top of their head all the local governments collecting property taxes from them either directly, or passed on to them as a percentage of rent by the property owner in the course of business. You might have a couple or even several of these governments charging you property taxes — lots of layers.

You can check your special districts using this Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) GIS map. It’s a great tool offering filters and layers so you get all the information. Click on the district map and you’ll get the annual levy rate and contact information for the district.

Why should you care?

Special districts, especially metropolitan districts, can amount to a sizable portion of your property tax bill. Just because you don’t directly write the check for the property taxes doesn’t mean you’re not footing part or all of the property tax tab. Tenants and consumers pay a portion of the property taxes in rent or included in the cost of the products they buy.

Some special districts, especially metropolitan districts, may rival the mill levy rate or dollar amount of school district property taxes — usually the most expensive item on your property tax bill.

The list of all Colorado Property Tax Entities 2022 Mill Levy Rates is found here. Some are nearly 100 mills! Continue reading →

Feb 09

IRS tells Coloradans to hold off on filing as it considers taxing TABOR refund

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The IRS says our TABOR refunds may be subject to income tax. It’s asking Coloradans to hold off on filing their taxes until it makes a determination.

If you received a TABOR refund last year, you might owe federal taxes on that money.

It is the first time the agency has questioned the taxability of TABOR refunds since voters passed the Taxpayer Bill of Rights 30 years ago.

The constitutional amendment caps the amount of revenue the state is allowed to keep and, anything over that cap, needs to be sent back to taxpayers.

Last year, it was nearly $3 billion, which resulted in $750 checks for individuals and $1,500 for joint filers. Continue reading →

Feb 06

Special Districts and the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights

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There are over 4,500 local government agencies in Colorado. Nearly 3,000 of those are special districts. All of these agencies and special districts are included under our Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR).

Most voters wouldn’t be able to list off the top of their head all the local governments collecting property taxes from them directly or passed on to them as a percentage of rent by the property owner in the course of business. You might have a couple or several of these governments charging you property taxes — lots of layers.

You can check your special districts using this Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) GIS map. It’s a great tool offering filters and layers so you get all the information. Click on the district map and you’ll get the annual levy rate and contact information for the district.

Why should we care?

Property Taxes

Special districts, especially metropolitan districts, can amount to a sizable portion of your property tax bill. Just because you don’t directly write the check for the property taxes doesn’t mean you’re not paying part or all of the property tax bill. Tenants and consumers pay a portion of the property taxes in rent or included in the cost of the products they buy. Continue reading →

Feb 03

Special Districts and the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights

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There are over 4,500 local government agencies in Colorado. Nearly 3,000 of those are special districts. All of these agencies and special districts are included under our Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR).

Most voters wouldn’t be able to list off the top of their head all the local governments collecting property taxes from them directly or passed on to them as a percentage of rent by the property owner in the course of business. You might have a couple or several of these governments charging you property taxes — lots of layers.

You can check your special districts using this Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) GIS map. It’s a great tool offering filters and layers so you get all the information. Click on the district map and you’ll get the annual levy rate and contact information for the district.

Why should we care?

Property Taxes

Special districts, especially metropolitan districts, can amount to a sizable portion of your property tax bill. Just because you don’t directly write the check for the property taxes doesn’t mean you’re not paying part or all of the property tax bill. Tenants and consumers pay a portion of the property taxes in rent or included in the cost of the products they buy. Continue reading →