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 […]
tax breaks
Posted inHealth, Politics and Government
Here’s what to expect as the Colorado legislature starts its 2021 lawmaking term with a “soft open”
The Colorado General Assembly gavels to a start Wednesday, but leaders are calling it a “soft open.” The state legislature plans to work for three days before adjourning until Feb. 16 — a move designed to limit potential exposure to COVID-19 as case counts rise. The timeout punts the bulk of the lawmaking down the […]
Posted inBusiness, Education, Election 2020, Health, Outdoors, Politics and Government
Colorado 2020 election: A quick guide to the ballot questions on abortion, wolves, taxes, sick leave and more
Colorado voters will decide 11 statewide policy questions on the November ballot — a list of far-reaching measures that will help set the direction for the state’s future. The 2020 ballot asks voters whether Colorado should put limits on abortion and create a state program designed to provide paid time off to workers for medical […]
Posted inPolitics and Government
Colorado spared more budget cuts for now, but an additional $1 billion in reductions looms on 2021 horizon
No further budget cuts are immediately necessary as an economic forecast from the Polis administration shows a series of tax changes approved by Colorado lawmakers generated enough revenue to preserve the state’s slim budget cushion. Gov. Jared Polis’ office says a new economic forecast shows that tax revenue will allow the state to carry a […]
Posted inPolitics and Government
Colorado lawmakers made billions in cuts to finish the budget. Now Gov. Polis may need to make even more.
In the final hours of the lawmaking session, the General Assembly finalized a $30.3 billion state budget after weeks of difficult work to close a $3 billion deficit. Instead of expressing relief at the finish line, the top legislative budget writer issued a warning. “For those of you who haven’t heard the news flash, next […]
Posted inBusiness, News
Against uncertain backdrop, the tax overhaul backed by Colorado’s governor and state lawmakers limps ahead
After years of groundwork, 2020 was supposed to be the time for Colorado tax reform. Democratic Gov. Jared Polis kicked off his second year in office by doubling down on his pledge to eliminate special interest tax breaks to fund broad tax cuts. A legislative study group came into the session with an agenda of […]
Posted inBusiness, Energy, Environment, Politics and Government
Colorado scrutinizes oil and gas tax breaks as severance taxes drop and the state budget gets tight
This year, an oil and gas tax break is expected to grow so large — and gas prices drop so low — that many of Colorado’s oil wells would owe the state $0 in severance taxes. Consider it the $308 million elephant in the room as Colorado lawmakers reassess the state’s crumbling fiscal picture amid […]
Posted inCrime and Courts, Education, Energy, Health, Politics and Government
A breakdown of the 8 issues Colorado lawmakers will study before the 2020 legislative session
Before lawmakers left the state Capitol earlier this month, they issued homework for the interim. And if the assignments are any indication, the next legislative term is expected to be another doozy. The Democratic-led General Assembly is preparing to study eight major policy topics — ranging from school safety and college affordability to private prisons […]
Posted inEducation, Energy, Environment, Health, Politics and Government, Transportation
Jared Polis made a lot of promises in bid for governor. Here’s his progress on the 10 biggest.
When he kicked off his gubernatorial campaign in July 2017, Jared Polis promised to campaign on “big, bold ideas.” That’s one promise he would keep In the following 16 months, Polis pitched voters on more than 100 policy ideas big and small, promising to remake health care in the state, usher in historic expansions of […]
Posted inBusiness, Politics and Government
Jared Polis won’t get one top priority this session: his income tax cut
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis made a state income tax cut one of his top priorities in his first year. He won’t get it. The opposition from Democratic lawmakers and his allies and the complicated nature of the policy shift led to the proposal’s demise before it could be introduced in the current legislative session. The […]