Inflation makes the case for lowering Colorado’s income tax

Inflation makes the case for lowering Colorado’s income tax Inflation hit another 40-year high in June, according to federal inflation data released yesterday. Coloradans have taken the fight against rising costs into their own hands with a citizens’ initiative to lower the income tax rate and put the state on a path to zero. Last […]

All the taxes you cannot see

by Jon Caldara Seeing is believing. So, it’s no wonder many in government prefer to work in the dark. It’s not just that they don’t want us to know what they’re fully doing. They don’t want us to know what we’re fully paying. The reason for this emotional manipulation is clear. If the cost of […]

Two Decades of Colorado’s Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR)

Over two decades have passed since Colorado voters adopted The Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights in 1992. TABOR allows government spending to grow each year at the rate of inflation-plus-population. Government can increase faster whenever voters consent. Likewise, tax rates can be increased whenever voters consent. This Issue Paper analyzes TABOR’s effect on state government spending and taxes by examining three decades: The 1983-92 pre-TABOR decade; the first decade of TABOR, 1993-2002; and the second decade, 2003-12. The final decade included the largest tax increase in Colorado history, enacted as Referendum C in 2005. Decade-2 was also marked by increasing efforts to evade TABOR by defining nearly 60% of the state budget as “exempt” from TABOR.

Aurora Food Tax Changes Respect TABOR Restriction

The City of Aurora amended its sales tax regulations related to candy and soft drinks, as a response to concerns raised by Aurora grocery retailers. The 2012 ordinance amendment has the appearance of a tax increase but further analysis concludes the tax policy change is likely to be “revenue neutral,” And therefore does not require voter approval under TABOR.

Why Colorado Should Shift to a Defined Contribution Retiree Health Plan

By Barry W. Poulson, Ph.D. Colorado taxpayers are on the hook for more than $1 billion in unfunded liabilities incurred in the defined benefit retiree health plan administered by the Public Employee Retirement Association (PERA). An additional $79 million in unfunded liabilities was incurred in 2008, reflecting both a rapid growth in retiree benefits and […]

Judge Habas Pursuan

(May 2008.) Author: DISTRICT COURT, CITY AND COUNTY OF DENVER COLORADO PDF of full Paper Scribd version of full Paper THIS MATTER comes before the Court for a court trial, commencing on May 5, 2008. The Court took testimony, received exhibits, and heard argument from all parties. The evidence was closed, subject to this Court’s […]