Colorado’s new transportation fees violate the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights and several other state finance laws and should be invalidated, two conservative groups and Republican state Sen. Jerry Sonnenberg claim in a long-promised lawsuit filed late Thursday in Denver. Senate Bill 260, passed by Democrats in the legislature last year, enacted a host of new […]
Jesse Mallory
Posted inBusiness, News, Politics and Government
Colorado Republicans aren’t winning many elections these days, so they’re turning to ballot questions instead
When Democrats in the Colorado legislature this year unveiled their marquee bill to enact new transportation fees to pay for road and transit projects, the measure’s conservative opponents had a quick, confident response: See you at the ballot box. The opposition wasn’t necessarily talking about trying to unseat Democrats, however. They were vowing to bring […]
Posted inEconomy, News, Politics and Government
Colorado Democrats want to use one of TABOR’s most effective tax-halting mechanisms for themselves
One of the most effective parts of the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights when it comes to stopping tax-raising ballot questions in Colorado is a requirement that voters be informed, IN CAPITAL LETTERS, about the eye-popping sum they are deciding whether to allow the government to collect. “SHALL STATE TAXES BE INCREASED $766,700,000 ANNUALLY FOR A […]
Posted inBusiness, News, Politics and Government, Transportation
Colorado Democrats formally introduce their transportation-fee bill with Republican, business community support
Colorado Democrats formally rolled out their massive transportation fee-implementation and spending bill on Tuesday with support from top business leaders and two Republicans, saying 2021 is the year to finally tackle the holy grail that is the state’s long standing infrastructure deficit. “This is the year we will make it happen,” Senate Majority Leader Steve […]
Posted inNews, Politics and Government, Transportation
Here are the new gas and road-usage fees behind Colorado Democrats’ $4 billion transportation plan
Colorado drivers would begin paying a new fee of 2 cents on every gallon of gas they purchase starting in July 2022 under legislation Democratic state lawmakers are expected to introduce in the coming weeks. That fee, which would not require voter approval, would increase to 8 cents per gallon starting in July 2028 under […]
Posted inEducation, Growth, Politics and Government, Transportation
Proposition CC campaign is door-to-door combat as both sides turnout supporters ahead of 2019 election
Kane Randolph presses the doorbell at the home of a voter in Denver and readies his pitch. In the next few seconds — which is all the time he expects to get — he needs to explain Proposition CC, a 60-word question on the 2019 statewide ballot that is mired in baggage. When the door […]
Posted inNews, Politics and Government
Koch political group endorses Cory Gardner. How much it will spend in Colorado remains a mystery.
The political arm of the Koch conservative network endorsed U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner on Tuesday, a move designed to emphasize a renewed focus on policy but one that recalls its big-dollar role in the 2014 election. Americans for Prosperity Action, one of the most prominent conservative groups in the state, touted the Republican lawmaker’s “straight […]