Category Archives: Volunteer

May 02

HJR25-1023 TABOR challenge could be heard Friday, May 2

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While at the Capitol this afternoon, Rep. Rose Pugliese told me HJR25-1023 will likely get its 3rd Reading Friday.

Since we’re in the final days of the legislative session, expedited rules apply—meaning a committee hearing can be scheduled with less than 24 hours’ notice.

HJR25-1023 is expected to receive its 3rd reading in the State House today (Friday, May 2). It could be introduced in the Senate the same day and quickly referred to the Senate Finance Committee.

The session ends Wednesday, May 7.

I may have to bolt down there last minute and won’t have time to alert everyone. Please try to tune into the House floor. Once it passes, shift to the Senate to catch the introduction and committee referral—likely Senate Finance.

Watch & Listen: https://leg.colorado.gov/watch-listen

Virtual Testimony Sign-up: leg.colorado.gov/testimony

Natalie Menten, TABOR Board member

Apr 24

TABOR is under a coordinated, two-prong attack

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TABOR is under a coordinated, two-prong attack — and both aim to silence voters.

First, HJR25-1023 seeks to sue the taxpayers by asking the courts to overturn the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights entirely. It’s waiting for debate on the House floor and is backed by lawmakers who can’t stand that voters get the final say on tax increases. Even worse — they want to force taxpayers to fund the lawsuit that overturns their own will. This is a direct assault on constitutional rights and basic democratic principles. Continue reading →

Apr 07

Stop Trying To Kill TABOR. No Means NO!

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CALL TO ACTION: Protect TABOR Here we go again… Lawmakers are once again trying to silence Colorado voters and gut TABOR with HJR25-1023. Apparently, letting taxpayers decide on taxes is just too much democracy. We said no to Prop 66, Prop 120, and Prop HH. The courts have dismissed this exact argument once before. NO MEANS NO. The resolution will be heard in the Finance Committee on Monday. Sign up to testify against this foolish waste of our money. Sign up to testify at: leg.colorado.gov/content/commit #ProtectTABOR #HandsOffMyVote

Apr 05

Colorado without TABOR? Higher taxes. No refunds. No vote.

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Colorado without TABOR? Higher taxes. No refunds. No vote. Watch video: youtu.be/4AXTCw698ew?fe The bill to overturn TABOR is Monday, April 7 in the House Finance Committee. (HJR 1023) Testify from home—no need to miss work. Sign up: leg.colorado.gov/testimony #ProtectTABOR #copolitics 

#HandsOffTABOR
#DontBeFooled
#ItsYourMoneyNotTheirs
#TABOR
#FollowTheLaw
#FeesAreTaxes
#VoteOnFees
#ReplaceThemAllForNotFollowingVotersWishes

 

Apr 05

URGENT: Colorado Legislators Want to Sue the People, Reverse TABOR, Biggest Tax Increase Ever?!

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This Monday, April 7th, we need you to speak out in defense of your rights, your paycheck, and your family’s finances.

That’s when HJR25-1023: Require General Assembly TABOR Constitutionality Lawsuit will be heard in Committee.

This latest scheme is to sue the people of Colorado with the purpose of repealing the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR).

If successful, this would be the largest tax increase in Colorado history. Your TABOR tax refund would disappear, taxpayers would lose their right to approve tax increases, and governments across Colorado would be able to steal more money from hardworking Colorado families.

In this video, Natalie Menten provides the background on this measure, talking points you can use during testimony, and information on the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights.

Please speak, in-person or remote in defense of TABOR by opposing HJR25-1023.

Testimony information:

Bill info: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hjr25-1023

Hearing time: Monday, April 7th in the House Finance Committee at 1:30 pm in House Committee Room 0112, first floor of the State Capitol.

Sign up here: https://www.leg.state.co.us/clics/clics2025A/commsumm.nsf/NewSignIn.xsp

Easiest to find: “By Committee and Hearing Item”

Committee Name: House Finance

Meeting Date and Time: 04/07/2025 01:30 PM

Hearing Item: House Finance: HJR25-1023 (Require GA TABOR Constitutionality Lawsuit)

Talking Points:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

URGENT: Colorado Legislators Want to Sue the People, Reverse TABOR, Biggest Tax Increase Ever?! – Free State Colorado

Mar 08

Citizen watchdogs needed for Arapahoe County 1A tax windfall

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In the November, 2024 general election, Arapahoe County voters approved ballot issue 1A, removing spending limits imposed by the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR).  Moving forward, this means county government gets to keep and spend over-collected tax revenue that would have otherwise been refunded to taxpayers.

In other words, voters gave county commissioners what amounts to a tax hike, and now it’s time to keep them accountable for it.

As part of the ballot language, a provision was included that mandates all spending of this tax revenue windfall be transparently reported.  Specifically, it requires that the new spending be included in the county’s annual independent audit, published on the county website and that it be monitored and reviewed by a “resident advisory committee.”  That’s where you come in.

The county pushed ballot measure 1A as a way to fund existing services that they claimed were potentially going to be cut due to budget shortfalls. And while I understand the need for transparency of how this massive influx of money should be spent, we must also make sure the advisory committee is up to the task and doesn’t just become a rubber stamp for political agendas and new pet projects.

According to the county website, the job of the committee is to ensure that 1A funds “are being used in alignment with their intended purpose, advocating for proper stewardship of these resources.”

If you think you’re up to that task, you should consider applying.  It’s a great opportunity to get involved in your community, while also holding your elected officials accountable to the taxpayers.

There are ten committee slots to be filled, with at least one from each county commission district.  Members serve three-year terms, with a two-term maximum.  And if you’ve ever thought about running for public office, this is a great way to get some local government experience under your belt first.

Arapahoe County voters gave up their TABOR refunds in perpetuity, now it’s time to ensure county commissioner honor that sacrifice and hold up their end of the bargain.

 

Kathleen Chandler is an Arapahoe County resident and directs the Citizen Involvement Project at the Independence Institute, a free market think tank in Denver. She can be reached by email at Kathleen@i2i.org.

Citizen watchdogs needed for Arapahoe County 1A tax windfall – Complete Colorado