Category Archives: Fiscal Policy

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 →

Nov 15

TABOR’s multiple anniversary dates

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TABOR’s multiple anniversary dates

November 3, 1992 passed by voters.

November 4, 1992 effective date for section (4) Required Elections

December 31, 1992 effective date for remainder

January 14, 1993 – Gov Roy Romer signed the resolution.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nov 13

TABOR Turns 30: Thirty Years of Colorado’s Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights

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This month marks the 30th anniversary of Colorado’s Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR), which was approved by voters in November of 1992 as a constitutional tax and expenditure limit (TEL). TABOR is considered the gold standard of state fiscal rules because it limits the growth of most of Colorado’s spending and revenue to inflation plus population. If the state government collects more tax dollars than TABOR allows, the money is returned to taxpayers as a TABOR refund. The receipt of tax rebates, totaling $8.2 billion since TABOR passed in 1992, has strengthened Colorado citizens’ confidence in the TABOR Amendment over the years. To learn more about TABOR and effective TELs, read our latest report and visit FiscalRules.org.


 

Nov 12

Did You Know This Is In The 2022 Colorado Democrats Platform?

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No wonder they have “Tax and Spend,” “Spend and Tax” agenda.

They don’t like being constrained.

No wonder we don’t like their policies.

They try to undermine TABOR at every instance.

They now call them “fees” instead of “taxes,” or categorize them as “enterprises” to skirt TABOR.

They believe that “your” money is “their money.”

If you don’t believe us, here’s a screenshot of page 9 of their 2022 platform: 

 

 

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

Pay attention, Colorado, pay attention….

Nov 08

Report touts Colorado’s TABOR as ‘gold standard’ for state tax policy

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Report touts Colorado’s TABOR as ‘gold standard’ for state tax policy

Paul Brady Photography | Shutterstock

(The Center Square) – Colorado’s Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights is the “gold standard” for state tax policy, a new report argues.

The report, by the American Legislative Exchange Council, a free-market group that’s known for drafting model legislation adopted in Republican-led states, comes amid the 30th anniversary of TABOR, the constitutional amendment that Colorado voters passed in 1992.

TABOR requires voter approval for tax increases and limits state revenue growth to inflation plus the rate of population growth. It also requires revenue surpluses to be refunded back to taxpayers.

“TABOR is a resounding success for Colorado, despite ongoing attempts to eliminate it,” said Dr. Barry Poulson, author of the report and a professor emeritus at the University of Colorado Boulder. “TABOR uses a straightforward formula for limiting the size and scope of government by capping the rate of growth in state revenue and spending to inflation plus the rate of population growth.”

TABOR contrasts with California’s Gann Amendment, which the report says was “watered down” by special interests. Continue reading →