Subject: Join Us in Protecting Taxpayer Rights – Year-End Appeal
Dear Friends of TABOR,
As we approach the end of 2025, we reflect on another year of defending the fundamental principle that taxpayers deserve a voice in how their money is spent. Thanks to supporters like you, the TABOR Committee and TABOR Foundation continue to stand as watchdogs for fiscal responsibility and government accountability.
One Colorado Supreme Court ruling in 2025 showcases this:
In September 2025, the Colorado Supreme Court unanimously ruled that the City of Lakewood improperly changed its business and occupation tax on telephone service without putting it to voters, striking down a $1.64 million tax assessment against T-Mobile’s MetroPCS subsidiary.
This decision reinforces TABOR’s core protection: government cannot expand taxes without voter approval. Lakewood had twice expanded a 1969 telephone tax—first in 1996 to include cellular providers, then in 2015 to cover personal cell service—without asking voters. The court determined these updates created liabilities for additional classes of providers offering additional types of services, making them new taxes requiring public consent.
From TABOR supporters’ perspective, this ruling demonstrates the amendment working exactly as intended—preventing government from quietly expanding its taxing authority through bureaucratic maneuvers. The unanimous decision shows Colorado’s judiciary standing firmly behind taxpayer protections, ensuring that citizens retain meaningful control over their tax burden. It sends a clear message that local and state governments cannot circumvent democratic accountability by claiming tax expansions are merely “clarifications” of existing policy.
Our Mission Continues
The Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR) remains essential to ensuring that government spending increases only with voter approval. This year, we’ve worked tirelessly to educate citizens, defend existing protections, and push back against efforts to circumvent taxpayer safeguards. But our work is far from finished.
We Need Your Help
As we enter 2026, we face both challenges and opportunities. To continue our vital work, we need your support in two critical ways:
- Year-End Financial Support
Your tax-deductible contribution (to the TABOR Foundation) helps us:
- Monitor legislative efforts that threaten taxpayer protections
- Educate communities about their rights under TABOR
- Support legal efforts to defend taxpayer interests
- Provide resources and training to citizens and organizations
- Maintain effective communication networks
Every dollar you contribute goes directly toward protecting your rights as a taxpayer. Consider making a year-end gift that may provide tax benefits while strengthening our movement.
- Volunteer Your Time and Talents
We’re building a network of committed volunteers who can help us:
- Spread the word in your community about taxpayer rights
- Monitor local government activities and spending proposals
- Help with research, writing, and communications
- Organize educational events and town halls
- Ally with and collaborate with like-minded organizations and individuals
Whether you can spare a few hours a month or want to take on a larger role, your involvement makes a difference.
How to Get Involved
- To Make a Donation:Instructions are further below for both the TABOR Foundation and the TABOR Committee.
- To Volunteer:Call 303-747-7460 and leave your contact information, or send an email to [email protected]
Looking Ahead
The principles of fiscal responsibility and government accountability never go out of style. In 2026, we’ll face new attempts to expand government spending without voter approval. We’ll encounter creative efforts to work around taxpayer protections. And we’ll need dedicated supporters like you to help us fight back.
Your support—whether financial or through volunteering—ensures that taxpayers continue to have a seat at the table when spending decisions are made.
A Personal Thank You
To everyone who has supported our work this year through donations, volunteer hours, or simply spreading the word: thank you. Your commitment to these principles gives us hope and strengthens our resolve.
As the year draws to a close, we ask you to consider how you can help us build on this momentum. Together, we can ensure that government remains accountable to the people it serves.
With gratitude and determination,
Your Colorado TABOR Committee and TABOR Foundation
P.S. Year-end gifts postmarked by December 31, 2025, may be tax-deductible for this year. Please consult your tax advisor.
- The TABOR FOUNDATION is a 501(c)3 educational and research entity that documents and distributes factual information explaining TABOR’s crucial benefits. Donations to the TABOR Foundation ARE tax deductible. https://thetaborfoundation.org/donations/
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The TABOR Committee is a political issue committee that addresses legislative and ballot measures affecting TABOR and acts as an advocacy organization across the state. Donations to this arm of our efforts is NOT tax deductible. https://thetaborfoundation.org/donations/
Contact Information: [email protected] or [email protected]
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