2010 Ballot Initiatives
Proposition 101 "Concerning Limits on Government Charges"

Shall there be an amendment to the Colorado Revised Statutes concerning limits on government charges, and, in connection therewith, reducing vehicle ownership taxes over four years to nominal amounts; ending taxes on vehicle rentals and leases; phasing in over four years a $10,000 vehicle sale price tax exemption; setting total yearly registration, license, and title charges at $10 per vehicle; repealing other specific vehicle charges; lowering the state income tax rate to 4.5% and phasing in a further reduction in the rate to 3.5%; ending state and local taxes and charges, except 911 charges, on telecommunication service customer accounts; and stating that, with certain specified exceptions, any added charges on vehicles and telecommunication service customer accounts shall be tax increases?

Proposition 101 is a proposed statutory change that would reduce the State income tax, various motor vehicle fees and taxes and fees on telecommunication services.  When fully implemented, the provisions of this proposal would reduce State income tax revenues, State and local revenues from a range of sales taxes and vehicle fees, and State revenues from telecommunications charges and fees.

Proposition 101 Language

Preliminary Analysis of Proposition 101 (The Bell Policy Center)

Amendment 60 'Limit Property Taxes"

Shall there be an amendment to the Colorado constitution concerning government charges on property, and, in connection therewith, allowing petitions in all districts for elections to lower property taxes; specifying requirements for property tax elections; requiring enterprises and authorities to pay property taxes but offsetting the revenues with lower tax rates; prohibiting enterprises and unelected boards from levying fees or taxes on property; setting expiration dates for certain tax rate and revenue increases; requiring school districts to reduce property tax rates and replacing the revenue with state aid; and eliminating property taxes that exceed the dollar amount included in an approved ballot question, that exceed state property tax laws, policies, and limits existing in 1992 that have been violated, changed, or weakened without state voter approval, or that were not approved by voters without certain ballot language?

Amendment 60 would amend Article X, Section 20 of the Colorado Constitution ("TABOR") to add a new section to establish additional limits on property taxes. This section will be in addition to all other provisions of TABOR. Some of the provisions of this proposal appear intended to override court decisions interpreting TABOR (as it pertains to property taxes) and to roll back certain prior property tax voter approvals under TABOR.

Amendment 60 Language

Amendment 61 "State and Local Debt Limitations"

Shall there be an amendment to the Colorado constitution concerning limitations on government borrowing, and, in connection therewith, prohibiting future borrowing in any form by state government; requiring voter approval of future borrowing by local governmental entities; limiting the form, term, and amount of total borrowing by each local governmental entity; directing all current borrowing to be paid; and reducing tax rates after certain borrowing is fully repaid?

Amendment 61 would make sweeping changes in how the state and local governments can use and issue debt.  It would ban the use of any kind of debt by the state of Colorado.  It would also limit the amount of debt issued by local governments, require all local debt be approved by the voters in a November election, and require local governments to cut their tax rates equal to the average annual debt payments as debts are repaid.

Amendment 61 Language
Preliminary Analysis of Amendment 61 (The Bell Policy Center)

Resources

Resolution No. 2010-1, A Resolution Board of Directors of the Colorado State Fire Chiefs’ Association Advocating Voter Opposition to Proposition 101, Amendment 60 and Amendment 61 During the November 2, 2010 Election.

Sample Resolution Opposing Proposition 101 and Amendments 60 & 61 (Courtesy of Dino A. Ross of Ireland Stapleton Pryor & Pascoe, PC).
Note:  The Resolution is designed for Fire Protection Districts but should be easy to convert for use by municipal fire departments. [MS-Word Doc]

Analysis of Proposition 101, and Amendments 60 and 61, Colorado Municipal League (February 7, 2010)

The Colorado Fiscal Policy Institute produced a one-page document that explains each measure. Appropriate for handing out at community events or other venues where people need a quick explanation of what these three measures would do.

The Colorado Fiscal Policy Institute produced a detailed analysis of the three measures in cooperation with Sherman & Howard, a law firm.

Sherman & Howard produced a slide show that examines the three measures.

Webinar on Proposition 101, Amendments 60 and 61 (Sherman & Howard)

Colorado Counties, Inc. Presentation on Amendments 60 and 61, Proposition 101

Fair Campaign Practices Act

Links

Protect Colorado's Communities (An organization formed to oppose these initiatives)

Citizens' Initiatives Will Seriously Impact Colorado Governments' Finances (Sherman & Howard L.L.C.)

Colorado Center on Law and Policy

Colorado Fiscal Policy Institute

The Fiscal Policy Institute is available to talk with community groups, elected officials and others about how Amendment 60, Amendment 61 and Proposition 101 would damage Colorado. Send an e-mail to pswanson@cclponline.org to arrange a presentation or contact us at 303-573-5669 ext. 306.

The Bell Policy Center Analyses on Proposed Ballot Initiatives

County-by-County Impact of Proposition 101 (The Bell Policy Center)

Colorado Tax Reform - Proposition 101 Proponent's Website

Limit Property Tax - Amendment 60 Proponent's Website

Limit Colorado Debt - Amendment 61 Proponent's Website


This page was last updated on May 07, 2010
 


Articles of Interest

Three 2010 Ballot Initiatives Promise to Change the Colorado Economy

Trio of Anti-Government Ballot Measures Go Too Far, Critics Charge

Taxes, Spending: Reaction Sharp to Colorado Ballot Issues

Extreme Forces in Colorado

Candidates Weigh in on Right Side of Ballot Items


Resources

CSFCA Resolution No. 2010-1

Sample Resolution Opposing Proposition 101 and Amendments 60 & 61

Fair Campaign Practices Act

Links

Ballotpedia – Proposition 101

Ballotpedia – Amendment 60

Ballotpedia – Amendment 61


 
 
 

CSFCA is a member of the Missouri Valley Division of the
International Association of Fire Chiefs

Missouri Valley Division of the International Association of Fire Chiefs