Not seeing it

Since the Colorado General Assembly wrapped up the 2023 session with a bang, I’m still feeling uninformed.

By bang, I am referring to the Democrats passing the bill that will put Proposition HH on the ballot for us to decide in November.

For one — the majority party released this important piece of legislation seemingly at the last minute. OK, it was literally. It takes three days to pass a bill — they did it just in the nick of time. Hard to believe they did not have it planned until three days before.

Nonetheless, what’s done is done. Now, it’s up to voters to decide on whether to pass this proposition that we are being told will help homeowners deal with the major property tax increases.

Before getting too deep into the measure — I will agree that Colorado does have some of the lower property taxes in the nation. However, given the cost of living and struggles families are going through — we did not deserve to play catch-up on the national level all in one year. Instead, we are seeing 30%, 40%, and, in some areas, 60% increases. While I have not yet seen the numbers, this is just a guess, but I doubt that many of the tens of thousands of property valuation appeals are going to make a big di erence.

So, that leaves us with Proposition HH, where we are being told to approve it and we will get some property tax relief. However, in reading multiple stories about the measure and trying to understand it — I, as a property owner, am just not seeing how this is going to help me and my family.

I do, however, see how it is going to help the state get more money. After all, lawmakers have been trying to nd a way around TABOR for quite some time. at sounds good, since I am about to be paying a lot more in property taxes. elma Grimes is the south metro editor for Colorado Community Media.

Again, not making the connection on how I am going to see a true bene t by voting yes.

I wouldn’t say I am against the measure completely. I’d just like to really understand why I should vote yes.

Several articles recently came out about how families could get higher TABOR refunds this year.

Tell me now — if I say go ahead and keep those TABOR funds — how do I come out ahead? e math is not adding up here.

As information trickles in about what happens with the proposition, especially if the Colorado Supreme Court rejects current challenges, there is still no answer.

In one article, I read that if voters do indeed vote on the measure in November, property owners will not have an idea of what they will pay in property taxes until long after the election. Given the state is asking me to vote yes on the measure — I’d like a rm answer before I vote.

To complicate the issue further, local government and taxing districts that rely on property taxes are also playing a guessing game for what it means to them. Will sta cuts be needed?

Commissioner Lora omas in Douglas County says it’s a possibility.

Larimer County imposed a hiring freeze due to the unknown.

To conclude — the question remains — how is giving you my TABOR refund going to result in a property tax break for me? How will this bene t our school district and our counties where this is the primary source of revenue?

LINDA SHAPLEY Publisher lshapley@coloradocommunitymedia.com

MICHAEL DE YOANNA Editor-in-Chief michael@coloradocommunitymedia.com