Governor Polis shifts responsibility to fix the legislatures property tax mess to local governments
Governor Jared Polis is facing criticism from local officials and conservative lawmakers for his recent call on local governments to reduce property tax levies in Colorado. This comes just days after the governor signed legislation aimed at providing some relief from skyrocketing property taxes.
Polis urged local elected officials to take action and reduce the tax rate, also known as the mill levy, in their districts.
However, many current and former officials who have been dealing with property tax issues for years found the governor's message to be unhelpful. They pointed out that local governments have had the ability to reduce mill levies for years and that Polis' suggestion is nothing new.
In fact, several local governments have already taken steps to reduce mill levies or are seriously considering doing so. This demonstrates that they are actively responding to the property tax crisis and working to provide relief to homeowners.
Critics, including Republican Representative Lisa Frizell, argue that Governor Polis is being hypocritical in asking local governments to tighten their belts while overseeing significant growth in state government and the budget.
Frizell emphasized that Democrats are focused on creating new programs without prioritizing meaningful tax relief for Colorado residents. She expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of the property tax relief measures passed during the special session, stating that the minimal reduction in the assessment rate will not significantly help homeowners burdened by substantial tax increases.
During the special session, lawmakers passed Senate Bill 23B-001, which reduced the assessment rate from 6.765% to 6.7% and increased the exemption amount from $15,000 to $55,000 for tax liability purposes. However, this relief does not extend to commercial property owners.
Some local governments, such as Colorado Mountain College, Douglas County, and Teller County, have taken independent action to provide more substantial property tax relief. They have reduced mill levies or are planning to do so, aiming to alleviate the burden on homeowners.
READ MORE:
COLORADO JEWISH DEMOCRATS CALL FOR AN END TO "DANGEROUS" RHETORIC
WHAT THE COLORADO LEGISLATURE PASSED DURING THE SPECIAL SESSION
This latest move by the governor to ignore the growing issue of soaring property taxes and the failure of his “extraordinary special session,” only shifts the responsibility from the legislature to local governments.
Read the Governor Jared Polis Letter to local governments HERE.
Many critics rightfully point out that the growing issue of skyrocketing property taxes could have and should have been easily addressed during the last regular session. And that Polis needs to exert leadership over the progressives of his own party, or the next session will be as pointless and chaotic as his three day “extraordinary special session.