Guest Column

We are in the final days of the 2023 Colorado Legislative Session, four days remaining to be exact. One would think that we, as the State General Assembly, would be trying to wrap up work on the remaining bills and that there would not be any new bills still being introduced this late in the session. However, this is not the case as we saw the introduction of Senate Bill 23-303 “Reduce Property Taxes And Voter-approved Revenue Change.”

Whether we like it or not, property taxes are going up in our State. We are predicted to see an increase of up to 30 percent on property taxes and this is going to be detrimental for our senior population. Our elderly community members are often confined to a fixed income and strict budget. It is called a fixed income for a reason as they will not see an increase in their social security checks even though they will see an increase in their daily expenses. Utility bills are rising, food prices (like eggs) are rising, and fuel cost is rising all while incomes and pay remain the same.

From my experience as a commissioner in Logan County, I can distinctly recall the tough conversations that I had with many of my county employees who would ask for an increase in their wages. Regardless of how hard working and deserving these county employees were, the county budget was already stretched thin and would not allow for these additional funding requests. Budget limitations are a harsh reality for many municipalities and private businesses, even when faced in a state where everything is getting more expensive.

As a part of local control, county commissioners can help alleviate the financial hardship that many of their constituents are facing by either offering a temporary property tax credit or by lowing the mill levy. I know because five out of the six years that I served as a Logan County Commissioner, I voted to either lower the mill levy or to give a temporary tax credits. Special districts, like fire districts and school districts, also have the authority to lower mill levies. These potential solutions are all ways that local governments can help relieve the financial burden from the rising property taxes that we are experiencing here in Colorado.

While the intention of SB23-303 is in the right place, we do not need State interference and the execution of this bill would mean stealing from our tabor refunds. Local governments can correct our rising property taxes; which is why the citizens of each community need to start getting involved with their county’s budget process and start talking with their local elected officials — county commissioners, fire chiefs, school board members, etc. — about how responsible budgeting, lower mill levies, and temporary property tax credits can curb the impact of property tax increases.