The first step of big change for Colorado happened last week: the start of a bipartisan look at property taxes, attempting to outline plans for financial sustainability.
After the fall of Proposition HH last month, the governor called for a special session of the Legislature, stipulating that we re-evaluate property taxes for the upcoming year, at least. We passed several bills lowering the assessment rate and saving renters from paying even more, but we also created the Commission on Property Tax to scrutinize how we determine our state’s taxes for years to come. It met for the first time on Dec. 20.
In Colorado, property taxes help pay for many of the services we use every day, including schools, firefighters, city and county governments, and special districts. All are essential. Our state’s property taxes are some of the lowest in the nation, tying for third place with Nevada.
But those taxes have jumped recently, primarily due to higher property values, and we need to lessen the taxing burden on homeowners.
During the special session, we heard from a lot of people both protesting and lauding some proposed legislation. We heard a variety of voices and found more people who should have been in the discussion. This new commission has 19 members representing a variety of residents who receive money from property taxes, who audit finances and who are particularly affected by higher expenses.
Good selections were made. Members were chosen by majority and minority leadership in both the Senate and House, the governor, and groups representing impacted communities, such as schools, firefighters and local governments.
From the Legislature are Sens. Chris Hansen, D-Denver; and Mark Baisley, R-Sedalia; and Reps. Chris DeGruy Kennedy, D-Lakewood, and Lisa Frizell, R-Castle Rock. Hansen and Kennedy sponsored the special session tax relief bill; Baisley and Frizell sponsored a bill allowing local governments to easily provide temporary property tax relief. Frizell was the Douglas county assessor.
Representing county commissioners are Tamara Pogue from Summit, Andy Kerr from Jefferson, Lori Laske from Alamosa, Cody Davis of Mesa County and Chris Richardson from Elbert.
Representing numerous special districts are Ann Terry, executive director of the Special District Association; Bob Olme, treasurer of the Colorado State Fire Chiefs; Weld County Assessor Brenda Dones; and Brett Johnson, Aurora Public Schools’ chief financial officer.
Also named were Broomfield Mayor Guyleen Castriotta; Colorado’s property tax administrator JoAnn Groff; Colorado Education Association Vice President Kevin Vick; and Loren Furman, president and CEO of the Colorado Chamber of Commerce.
Rounding out the group are Sean Dougherty, a former commissioner, now with the Colorado Association of Realtors and Jonathan Cappelli, executive director of the Neighborhood Development Collaborative focusing on low-income housing.
Getting to this point was not easy. Several suggestions changed after initial introduction. Members are starting meetings now, instead of in June. We will have 19, not 17 members, which caused debate, and now most are being appointed by concerned groups, not the Legislature. Many more people are now involved.
The commission will meet twice a month until March, when it presents its findings to the governor and Legislature, giving us time to craft any necessary bills. If a longer-term fix isn’t adopted, and we revert back to this year-long solution, homeowners’ property bills will skyrocket in 2024 and beyond.
We have a lot of work ahead, but we are determined to create a bipartisan solution to a difficult situation.
Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango, is serving her fourth term representing La Plata, Montezuma, Archuleta and San Juan counties. She has been a journalist and teacher.
