The Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights has long provoked political tension, and this election year is proving no different, thanks to a larger-than-usual mandatory refund. But once again, politics is getting in the way of healthy policy discussion. So let’s first put in context the politics, and then consider what actually matters. The political games began […]
TABOR refund
Posted inNews
Colorado’s high-stakes property tax battle ends dramatically as opposing sides agree to embrace $700M reduction
Colorado’s property tax arms race ended Friday morning after conservative and liberal groups moved to withdraw the ballot measures they were pursuing for the November ballot that would have dramatically altered the tax code. Democratic leaders in the legislature, meanwhile, vowed not to pursue an opposing ballot initiative that would have prevented property tax changes […]
Posted inEconomy, Housing, News, Politics and Government
Property tax arms race involving Colorado power players grips Capitol as fragile deal starts to deteriorate
A property tax arms race involving some of the state’s most powerful people is unfolding behind the scenes at the Colorado Capitol in the final days of the 2022 lawmaking term, jeopardizing a fragile deal unveiled this week. The deal, backed by the governor and negotiated over several weeks, would reduce projected property tax increases […]
Posted inOpinion, Opinion Columns
Opinion: Tax rebates are coming. Everyone should get the same amount
Though many people continue to struggle to make ends meet, and the cost of living in Colorado continues to rise, by any typical measure Colorado’s economy is booming. On average, incomes are rising, jobs are returning —and, in turn, the state is collecting more tax revenue than it’s allowed by the state Constitution to keep […]
Posted inPolitics and Government
Colorado’s state budget drives decisions that affect us all, but it’s long and complicated. We’re here to help.
Schools, roads, parks. The cost of college and health care. How much you pay in taxes. No matter what issue you care about in Colorado, chances are the state budget plays a large role in its fate. The good news: following the budget process from home is easier than ever thanks to live-streamed government meetings […]
Posted inNews, Politics and Government
Colorado is the only state without a rainy day fund. Now the coronavirus means it will pay the price.
In early February, the governor’s office and state treasurer issued a warning to lawmakers: Colorado is the only state in the nation without a rainy day fund to buffer against a recession. Now is the time the state should save for a downturn, they said, before it’s too late. “We all know that the economy, […]
Posted inBusiness, News, Politics and Government
For the first time, TABOR triggers an income tax rate cut. Here’s how much you can save on 2019 taxes.
Colorado is poised to return $428.3 million to taxpayers this year, but don’t look for a refund check in the mail. The Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights mandates the rebate because the state exceeded the revenue limits in the 2018-19 fiscal year. The TABOR excess is so great it will force the state for the first […]
Posted inPolitics and Government
Three budget numbers that will set the tone for the 2020 legislative session in Colorado
Colorado lawmakers are adjusting to a new reality when it comes to the state budget: The boom years are over. A pair of forecasts presented Friday to state budget writers suggests the state’s economy will continue to grow, but it will come at a slower rate, which will limit discretionary government spending in the future. […]
Posted inEducation, Politics and Government, Transportation
$10 million poured into 2019 election, but big money couldn’t push Proposition CC to passage
Advocates for Proposition CC outspent the opposition by more than double but still lost in the statewide November election. The two campaign committees behind the ballot question — Coloradans for Prosperity and Great Education Colorado — spent a combined $4.5 million on the failed effort, according to final campaign finance reports filed late last week. […]
Posted inHealth, News, Politics and Government
Colorado’s new reinsurance program has a TABOR problem. Lawmakers fear that could cause “cascading” impacts across the budget.
Colorado’s new reinsurance program, one of Gov. Jared Polis’ biggest legislative accomplishments to date, could end up hitting the state budget a lot harder than previously expected, according to a new legislative analysis. The bigger impact is the result of two recent developments as lawmakers gear up to decide on next year’s budget. First, the […]