As hopeless as it might seem, Colorado must revisit the argument over its ludicrous state tax “refunds” that hurt the state and all of us much more than any individual actually benefits.

If you’re new to these parts, Colorado suffers under a unwieldy and complicated set of restrictive budget laws dubbed the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights, or TABOR.

The measure was a product of Colorado’s notorious anti-tax crusader Douglas Bruce and misguided state voters who approved the state constitutional amendment in 1992. As it was sold to voters, the measure capped state taxes by requiring that tax increases be approved by voters. But the convoluted and labyrinthine measure does so much more. It not only caps taxes, but it caps spending. Part of the amendment sets government services at a baseline, so that when budgets decrease in lean tax years, a new, lower baseline is set, creating the so-called, dreaded ratchet-down effect.

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The real effect of the measure has been to diminish Colorado schools and roads. Despite having one of the healthiest economies in the country, the state can’t afford to properly maintain or build new roads, run schools or keep colleges competitive and affordable.

The insult to injury of the TABOR Amendment is back: Colorado must refund hundreds of millions of dollars in taxes to state residents, despite the widespread public needs. Part of the measure requires “refunds” when state revenues grow and exceed a bizarre formula involving the rate of inflation and population growth.

If you’re thinking that you could care less about the big budget picture or petty politics, “just hand over the cash,” realize that were talking about $15 or so in refunds per taxpayer. That’s it.

But collectively, were talking about $140 million or so each year. That kind of money goes a long ways toward shoring up the $800 million annual shortfall in state highway needs, or the $900 million a year in unmet public schools needs all over the state.

Colorado is fast becoming a victim of its own successes because of this measure. Hard work and solid planning have created a place where good jobs are relatively plentiful, along with one of the most enviable public education systems in the country. That draws more people here, draining state resources. The cost of Colorado’s impressive growth far outpaces the price of keeping state services and infrastructure at a level that draws new businesses and residents. You don’t have to be a news junkie or political wonk to know that overtaxed roads are a serious problem all over the Front Range and many other places in Colorado. It’s the same story with schools, where the lack of teachers clearly impacts student performance, especially for poorer families.

While the subsequent Referendum C approved by voters in 2005 did some good to diminish TABOR’s flaws, Colorado is right back in the position of handing out relatively meaningless tax refunds while we endanger our own success by underfunding strategic government services and programs.

The reason Colorado has been able to attract and expand businesses that provide high-paying jobs is because this is not California, Texas, New Jersey, Illinois and the host of states with problems caused by overlooked growth or cheaped-out public services.

It’s time for state lawmakers to risk the ire of tax protesters and do the right thing by keeping revenue that doesn’t come from tax increases, so that we eventually don’t have to raise taxes, or raise them so much when we can no longer ignore Colorado’s critical transportation and education predicaments.

59 replies on “EDITORIAL: Colorado tax ‘refunds’ will cost taxpayers dearly”

  1. Poppycock … this editorial says $15 bucks or so per taxpayer. So when you consider 3 million or so taxpayers that equals $45 million, which is much less than the alleged $140 million or so …. or so … or so. I call this liberal math, or so. Balderdash indeed! Gimme my TABOR rebate to help me pay for my increased insurance premiums caused by ObamaCare.

      1. Hey Retiree ! Feel to donate your share of the refund back to our government. I’ll have no issue with that choice.

  2. The editorial was too kind to mention the fact that Doug Bruce, the author of TABOR, most recently completed a jail sentence for tax evasion and fraud that stemmed from campaign finance violations. That was after he was censured by the legislature for assaulting a news photographer in the chamber of the Colorado House. That’s right. This is the man who wrote TABOR. A petty criminal.

    1. And YOU are too (*) mention that the PEOPLE voted for a CONSTITUTIONAL amendment that says we do not trust the legislature to properly account for funds.
      I suggest you go to Home Depot, get a bucket, a hammer, and a bag of sand. Put the sand in the bucket and pound sand to your little liberal heart’s content.

    2. Those of us who remember the incident with Doug Bruce, remember the truth of the issue differently. Doug Bruce was appointed to fill an unexpected vacancy. From the start he was harassed by the media until they could find something to latch on to. The adverse publicity led to his removal. Doug was not a politician, and as such not slimy enough to recognize the set up until it was too late. After that he was scrutinized until they found something that he could be charged with. I guarantee that no Liberal politician could stand up to the scrutiny that he was hit with.

  3. Perfect example of your corrupt liberal politicians saying they can spend your money better than you can….we have seen it over and over the waste and fraud these liberal politicians spend your money on to buy votes…..Don’t fall for their lies..”oh it’s for the kids…oh it’s for the schools..oh it’s for the parks…ALL LIES to rip you off for your money.

    1. You don’t say. We’re to assume of course you know what your talking about other than giving us your opinion. Right?

      “All lies to rip you off your money”? That’s a good one.

      1. OMG…..are you that stupid not to know of all the fraud and corruption in government? They admit themselves billions and billions and billions are wasted each year….don’t you know anything you stupid cow…are you just living in la la land of the stupid where as long as nothing affects you everything is ok?

        1. Thanks for this bit of ignorance. Perhaps you could give us details as to where these so called billions and billions of dollars are lost. We are talking about our state economy with revenues of around 6 to 8 billion on average.

          If we are losing billions and billions in state revenues as you claim I doubt our state would last long.

          Speaking of la la land, you would be a perfect resident in my opinion. Judging from your asinine comment you already live there.

          Bye now.

          1. You are too stupid to realize from my original statement that I’m talking about our overall government whether local or federal wasting billions….it’s government in general…..you obviously were a failure in school because you didn’t pay attention.

          2. You seem to have an emotional need to get personal especially with the middle school adolescent labels.

            Your “original” statement was nothing more than an opinionated rant.

            It’s government in general is it? That makes your burden of proof that much greater. When can we expect you to back your rants with substantive information?

            Lighten up and have a nice day. Bye now.

          3. I said government was wasteful and corrupt…it’s a fact PERIOD…there is no discussion of the truth….get some brains and have a bad day.

          4. Period eh. Sounds to me like you’re having many bad days causing migraines for yourself over your corrupt government obsessions. Oh well.

            I find most righties of your ilk incapable of intelligent thought or conversation their minds locked in a fog of anger and ignorance.

            Like most conservatives you wallow in fear and ignorance. You’re really not happy unless you have something to whine about. Carry on.

            Have a nice day cowboy. Bye now.

          5. Ignorance is not taking the time to download bills from the “Thomas Library of Congress” in their entirety and reviewing them.

            Do you do that? I know that I do!

          6. You have my respect for doing so. There are numerous sources for news other than the Library of Congress. If you want to take the time to read bills passed by Congress, great.

            I chose to look elsewhere. If that to you is ignorance then so be it. Have a good day.

          8. Ryecatcher is an idiot because as a full blooded Hispanic American citizen (born in the US) whose first language is Spanish I can tell you that I would love to see a truthful audit of the disability program which will show that thousands if not millions of illegals and many from within the same families file fraudulent claims as a way of remaining in the country supported by the taxpayers. They openly brag to their own communities about pulling one over on their employers and our inept government with fraudulent workmen’s comp claims which they then convert to lifetime disability claims.

            When they brag about the amount of money they get with these claims it spurs others to do the same thing. It is what they call “easy money” and they teach others how to do the same thing.

            Even the hardworking illegals that I know that have never taken a dime from the government find it unfair that these people are doing this and they wonder why they shouldn’t do the same thing.

            Let’s also talk about how they pay an American citizen to register their cars for them and what happens when they get into accidents and kill others.

            Then of course we have state and federal taxes. What happens when these illegals are working jobs that pay minimum wage but they are claiming the maximum dependents knowing full well they have no intention of filing at year end. Why should they when they are using somebody else’s social? Ryecatcher can dispute this but I personally know a fast food manager that had 55 employees of which 52 were illegal with the owner’s knowledge and he could tell you that at year end he couldn’t give away the W2’s. They either refused them or tossed them in the trash. The owner would call my friend when he received an IRS mismatch on an employee and tell my friend to have the employee quite and reapply with a new social the following day.

            I could go on and on with the numerous ways in which they are stealing from and defrauding the taxpayers but that would require hours.

            More anchor babies equal more government benefits!

          9. Millions are wasted on medicaid for illegals and then of course there is “emergency medicaid” which is reserved for illegals only. I know this because I have a friend who is an American citizen but could not afford surgery to save her life and heard of and applied for “emergency medicaid” but was denied because she is an American citizen. They were content to provide her with pain pills until she died.

            I am a full blooded Hispanic American citizen (born in the US) whose first language is Spanish and I have no shortage of stories of the numerous ways in which illegals are stealing from and defrauding the American people/taxpayers.

            I know some who have had major surgery and left huge bills in their wake knowing full well they had no intention of paying them and then simply went to a different hospital when their son needed surgery, again with fraudulent/stolen documents.

            Millions are lost every year to illegal aliens. What about the millions paid out to educate them and provide them with free lunches at school?

            Then of course we have millions stolen with ITIN and EITC numbers by illegals which again comes out of the pocket of the taxpayers as reported by the IRS themselves.

          10. Sorry for the loss of your friend. Beyond that I don’t think we’re going to agree. Sorry.

            Again you’re entitled to your opinion. Good luck to you.

  4. Let the Government Schools starve. If liberals really cared about education they would give the $10k per child to the parents to decide where and how to educate their own children.

  5. How big do you want to grow government? Is there any limit? Should we just send in all of our earnings? Politicians can always find more things to spend money on. TABOR protects us from unlimited growth of government while allowing government spending to increase by inflation plus population.

  7. By all means let’s use the extra money to pay for all of the illegal aliens that Hancock has invited to Denver at the expense of the taxpayers or we can use that money to feed, clothe, and house all of the homeless people who have been drawn to the state thanks to all of those who they voted to legalize marijuana.

    Does strategic government services include welfare and food stamps for Obama’s illegal aliens

    1. Another sub moronic comment from a conservative whiner. What bunch of worthless slop. “Obama’s illegal aliens”. Are you serious? Get some therapy.

      1. Really? I am a full blooded Hispanic American Citizen (born in the US) whose first language is Spanish and I spend 8-10 hours a day, 7 days a week following the news. I do not believe in he said/she said, rather I get my news from watching both the House and Senate while in session on C-Span and directly from the “Thomas Library of Congress.” I actually download and review bills like the ACA a.k.a. Obamacare, the “Gang of Eight” bill, the latest “Farm Bill”, the latest election laws here in CO, etc.

        Why don’t you take a gander at the latest “Farm Bill” under the USDA section which states that all of those for whom Obama defers deportation will automatically qualify for welfare with no waiting period.

        Connect the dots moron. Hancock has repeatedly said that he wants the gov’t to send more of the illegal “so called” alien children to CO and he is one of 12 mayors who attended a meeting to discuss how to best implement Obama’s executive Amnesty. 12 mayors out of thousands and Hancock was one of them.

        Did you miss the part about the numerous children in CO getting sick with a virus at the beginning of the school year which is prevalent in South American countries and please pray tell me how the schools are going to pay to accommodate the illegal alien children who have registered for school? The voters have spoken about giving more of their tax dollars to the education system here in CO knowing full well it will end up in the pockets of the unions and an inept school system. The only way the state can afford to accommodate these illegal children is with more funds and where do you suppose those funds will come from……………………….heaven????

        They are absolutely “Obama’s illegal aliens.” Ask these people and they themselves will tell you that it is thanks to Obama that they can now come and remain in the US. How do I know this, I know this because I know plenty of them and I live among them as do other Spanish speaking American citizens that I know and went to school with. I grew up in an all Hispanic community in North Denver.

        1. So, because you are a “full blooded Hispanic living among them” you are an expert. You’re entitled to your opinion.

          I too watch Cspan the committee hearings are most informative in my opinion as well as the many panel discussions on current events.

          I have access to the same information you have and disagree with you. Sorry but that’s my opinion. Good luck in your quest.

  8. Dear Aurora Sentinel,
    That money belongs to the CITIZENRY, not the STATE. I suggest your editorial board go pound sand.

    1. Right Kevin. You no doubt have many “suggestions” most of which are no doubt stupid like this one for instance.

  9. No, I prefer TABOR and want my refund. Perhaps the state could stop losing and wasting our tax dollars instead. But no, instead, they always want more – which is why TABOR was approved by the taxpayers in the first place.

    1. It’s obvious you’re not going to sit around and suffer the fools. Exactly where is the state losing tax dollars? Can you provide any detail or are you simply blowing hot air, namely your opinion.

        1. Hey Sufferingfool. Some example. A conservative site full of gloom and doom conservative nonsense. Surely you can do better than this. Then again, probably not.

          1. Oh, you’re so right. I can’t find this kind of information in the Denver Post.

            Do your own research, rather than hurling insults.

          2. You couldn’t find any kind of credible information if it jumped up and bit you on the rear end.

            Do my own research? What am I supposed to research? TABOR is an insult to one’s intelligence as is your stupid comment about how the state is wasting our tax dollars.

            If the state is wasting our tax dollars how come they have a surplus and you want your fifteen bucks? If anyone is an insult it’s you and your ilk and your continual whining.

            Get a life.

          3. They have a surplus because the taxpayers decide how money is spent in CO.

            It is “we” who prevent them from wasting it!

          4. And how do you prevent them from wasting it? What makes you so confident that our money is being wasted other than what you read in Senator Coburn’s wastebook.

            I simply do not agree with you. I think the people we elect to represent us are committed to doing their best.

            I do not share your cynicism about government waste and certainly not your views concerning President Obama and your characterizations of the immigration problem in our country.

            Thanks for your reply.

          5. Have you ever reviewed Tom Coburn’s wastebook?

            It is a bipartisan list of waste in various states.

    2. All the while Hancock has asked Obama and his administration to send more of these so called illegal alien children to CO and he was one of 12 mayors to attend a meeting to discuss how to best implement Obama’s executive amnesty. Where does Hancock think he will get the money to accommodate these people in our communities and our public school system?

      I think we all have a pretty good idea as to where he thinks the money will come from which is why so many citizens want their TABOR money back.

      Thousands of mayors across the country and this idiot was one of the 12.

      1. Hancock and HIckenlooper, too, thought Denver would be able to cash in with money from the Feds, which of course is ours as well, but that part may have backfired, for the moment. But there’s plenty of others attempting the same, such as Luis Gutierrez and of course, Obama himself.

        Keep fighting the good fight, peggy6824, many of us here with the same mission – to try to save our state and the USA from those that would prefer to give them away.

        1. Luis Gutierrez is a joke to Hispanic American Citizens.

          Much to the dismay of Obama, the Democrats, Luis Gutierrez, the Hispanic Caucus, the Bloomberg Group, the Chamber of Commerce, and even pro-Amnesty groups like La Raza millions of us (Hispanic American Citizens) voted in the midterms for Republicans who clearly oppose Amnesty. They were absolutely dumbfounded because of their ignorance in believing that we would vote for those who support Amnesty out of loyalty because of shared heritage.

          I am a full blooded Hispanic American Citizen (born in the US) whose first language is Spanish and I will tell you that the pollsters and the polls had it wrong when they said that those who oppose Amnesty will lose the Hispanic vote and yet Democrats continue to peddle this lie. They failed to recognize the distinct difference in the values of Hispanic American citizens vs. these illegals. Hispanic American citizens believe in integrity, self respect, personal responsibility and the rule of law while these illegals believe that blood is thicker than water thus we will somehow overlook the numerous ways in which they are stealing from and defrauding the American people/taxpayers and who would know better than us because we know them and live among them.

          A friend whose baby died at 3 months had them lined around the block clamoring to buy the baby’s birth certificate. That is what they do, they steal the identities of babies and children that have died at a very early age or even those of young children who won’t realize the damage until they are older and applying for their first job or college.

          We are not racists or anti-Hispanic, we are simply pro-American.

          1. I’m not Hispanic but growing up in the Denver area, I’ve known many fine, honorable and hardworking Hispanic citizens, mostly conservative and yes, pro-American. Thinking people don’t want amnesty and don’t care for thiefs.

          2. That is what it boils down to, more and more people coming to take what they can for free and live off the taxpayers. I don’t for a second believe that our citizens would have a problem with honest, hardworking, self-sufficient people who would add to the country and certainly not become a burden to our own taxpayers.

            Who isn’t willing to give a hand up to honest, hardworking, industrious people? Our problem is with those looking for a lifetime handout at the expense of and on the backs of the American people/taxpayers.

  10. So, as the state increases fees and fines, they tell the citizens to “tighten your belt” to pay for these. I suggest the state follow its own advice.

  11. Big government Dave Perry wants to spend more of our money via the state. Thank god we voted in Tabor before the idiot liberals moved here.

    1. Sorry those so called “idiot liberals who moved here” are giving you ulcers. Did you move here by the way? How about all those idiot conservatives who moved here. Is that OK with you?

  12. “relatively meaningless tax refunds” to the taxpayer’s in Colorado.?????……….”you”s’ are not the emperor’s……….follow the law you were elected to follow………the people in Colorado are the “decider’s” not “you”s in government. TABOR was passed unanimously by Colorado voters to STOP “you”s’ in government from INCREASING our tax burden to support the “you”s’ that think you know better what to do with OUR TAX REFUNDS………..Get It ?

  14. Who is the Statist who wrote this? If somebody owes you money and they want to keep it don’t you think they should ask you first? That’s what the Taxpayers Bill of Rights says. Hey, we want to keep this money so we’re putting on the ballot as a referendum. If the people say OK; then keep it. If they want it back, then give it back. What’s the problem?

  15. Does anybody other than the colorado CP still read this Sentinel rag? I wouldn’t use it to line a dog kennel. Much to high of a purpose for the feces stains that emanate from their editorial department.

    1. Unfortunately we must delve into these liberal bastions to educate the politically illiterate among us and we are doing a good job based on the results of the midterms so even though it is a dirty job we must not stop leading up to 2016.

      Every single liberal/Democrat that I educated are now educating others. Some were pretty tough nuts to crack but crack them I did.

      They were all Obama cheerleaders until they realized that Obama has done exactly what I told them he would do if he ever got elected. I was right and they were wrong and now they are asking me who I want for President in 2016. They trust me because I do not believe in he said/she said. I actually download bills in their entirety and review them, like the ACA a.k.a. Obamacare, the “Gang of Eight” bill on immigration reform, the latest “Farm Bill” under which the USDA section states that for those whom Obama defers deportation immediately qualify for food stamps, our most recent changes to the election laws here in CO in which Democrats repeatedly crossed out the word “identification” in lieu of signing a document attesting that you can legally vote or legally vote in a specific county, etc. The food stamp program also allows illegals to affirm that they are US citizens and qualify for benefits, no need to provide proof. Of course there are penalties for doing so but what does that matter to those who are already adept at identity theft and realize that there really are no consequences under Obama for doing so.

  16. We need politicians who can spend within a budget, not another liberal rag telling us we need to spend more! Piss off Aurora Sentinel!!!!!!!!!!!!

    1. If that’s the way you feel, why are you reading the Sentinel let alone posting a comment on it’s blog. It appears you have a problem.

      1. Only by delving into liberal bastions can we educate the politically illiterate.

        Here is a reality for you. Did you know that before Obama was elected that Democrats repeatedly tried to change the law to allow for a “naturalized” citizen to be elected President rather than just a “natural born” citizen?

        H.J.RES.59
        H.J.RES.67
        H.J.RES.104
        H.J.RES.2
        H.J.RES.15
        H.J.RES.42
        S.2678

        It would appear that even in a liberal bastion such as this, you are clearly outnumbered.

        You appear to be trumped by facts and reality.

        1. Hardly. What is your problem with a naturalized citizen becoming president?

          It appears we have a difference of opinion of who is and who is not “politically illiterate”.

          We all have our bias’s and you clearly have yours. No problem. Have a good one.

  17. It’s not the governments money! Its our money. If you’ve taken too much from us, then you have to give it back. The people do not work to support the government and “rainy days.” We work to support our families and ourselves.

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