Facts about TABOR

Editor:

The Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR) was approved by voters in 1992. Colorado voters approved a measure which amended Article X of the Colorado Constitution that restricts revenues for all levels of government (state, local and schools).

Under TABOR, state and local governments cannot raise tax rates without voter approval and cannot spend revenues collected under existing tax rates without voter approval. Revenue in excess of the TABOR limit, must be refunded to taxpayers. Under TABOR, the state has returned more than $2 billion to taxpayers.

For 32 years Colorado citizens have received a TABOR check with no conditional requirements. Last year, taxpayers received an $800 check for one qualifying taxpayer or $1,600 for two qualifying taxpayers filing jointly.

Today’s Colorado Department of Revenue’s web page states:

“Attention, please remember that you must claim the state sales tax refund (TABOR refund) when filing your state income tax return or Property Tax/Rent/Heat Rebate (PTC) Application. If you claimed a 2024 refund, the TABOR refund will be combined and issued with your tax refund. Unlike the 2022 Colorado cashback, no separate check will be issued.”

Now you, the taxpayer, must opt in your “Modified Adjusted Gross Income” from your Federal Tax Report to determine your TABOR refund. If you do not fill in lines 31 to 34 on your state 2024 Colorado individual income tax return form DR 0104, you will not receive a refund. No $800 or $1,600 checks this year.

In 2024 the Democrat majority state legislature and Gov. Jared Polis are running a $1 billion shortfall in the $16 billion general fund for the fiscal year that begins July 1.  According to Colorado Congressman Ken deGraaf, Colorado is more like $4.5 billion in the hole if you count “Certificates of Participation” — money the state owes but is creatively-accounted as “not debt”.  All this debt despite record state revenues.

Insult upon injury, the Democrat majority state legislature voted down reducing both the state income tax rate and taxes on social security. Colorado is one of nine states that taxes Social Security. No help for the elderly affected the most by inflation.

A U.S. Senate Joint Economic Committee’s report measured each state’s inflation from 2021 to 2024. Coloradans experienced the highest rates of inflation. Using the December 2024 Consumer Price Index data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Joint Economic Committee State Inflation Tracker estimates that the average household in Colorado is paying $1,329 more per month to purchase the same basket of goods and services as in January 2021. Cumulatively, the average Colorado household has spent $43,408 more due to inflation since January 2021.

This happened with a Democrat Governor and majority state legislature.

You get what you vote for.

Cori Dobson
Neil Watko
Gunnison GOP

This editorial appeared in the Gunnison Country Times.  Click (HERE) to see the article.