Vote NO on Jefferson County Ballot Issue 1A
For over 30 years, Colorado’s Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR) has safeguarded property owners, renters, businesses, and consumers from excessive tax increases.
Despite TABOR’s role in protecting taxpayers from soaring taxes, the Jefferson County Commissioners have twice tried—in 2019 and 2022—to convince voters to give up these protections. Both times, voters decisively rejected the proposed tax increases.
The county commissioners have ignored voters and are pushing another measure onto the 2024 ballot.
Instead of simply lowering property taxes to prevent overcharging, the current elected representatives have wasted over a million dollars on political strategists and persuasive mailings to dupe voters out of tax caps.
Exploiting a loophole in Colorado law, Commissioners Andy Kerr, Lesley Dahlkemper, and Tracy Kraft Tharp approved over $300,000 in public funds to pay a political operative firm owned by a local congresswoman’s spouse. This firm crafted misleading ballot language that fails to inform voters they are effectively giving up tax caps—resulting in a hidden tax increase. The county insists this isn’t a tax hike, yet they know it will take more money from property owners, and landlords will pass these higher taxes onto tenants.
If you doubt the commissioners’ intentions, consider this: Andy Kerr, an incumbent “representative,” sued to eliminate the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR) across Colorado. Had he succeeded, this would have stripped away our right to vote on tax increases at the state and local levels, as well as eliminated TABOR refunds. Though that case was eventually withdrawn, the commissioners continue their efforts to take more of your hard-earned money, as seen with Jeffco Issue 1A.
You can learn more about this misuse of public funds in these media clips.
Why it’s costing taxpayers money to get their refunds.
CBS Channel 4 Shaun Boyd with government watchdog Natalie Menten.
Jefferson County’s commissioners seek elimination of TABOR refunds – again.
Denver Gazette / Anya Moore
Jeffco Commissioners run roughshod over its taxpayers.
Gazette | Dick Wadhams
Jefferson County Colorado Commissioners use taxpayer dollars on political consultants to generate more tax dollars.
CBS Channel 4 Political Specialist Shaun Boyd
Jefferson County voters again asked to forever give up TABOR protections.
Complete Colorado | Sherrie Peif
Jefferson County Tax Money Going to Politically-Connected Consultants
Free State Colorado | Brandon Wark
The Jefferson County commissioners want your taxes to grow larger and faster than your income. That’s not sustainable and voters have spoken loudly in the last six years that we don’t support giving up our property tax caps and TABOR refunds. ~ Natalie Menten
Whether you own property or rent, TABOR’s tax caps provide crucial protection every year.
For property owners, TABOR ensures a cap on property taxes, keeping your costs in check. Renters benefit, too—TABOR helps prevent rent hikes driven by rising property taxes. Even consumers are safeguarded: the higher the taxes a store pays, the more prices on goods and services could rise. TABOR helps keep those increases in check.
Vote NO on Jefferson County Issue 1A this November.
FAQ about Jefferson County Ballot Issue 1A:
Is the Jefferson County ballot issue 1A a tax increase?
Yes, JeffCo Issue 1A is a tax increase and taxpayers would be forfeiting their tax caps forever, resulting in elimination of future TABOR refunds.
Doesn’t TABOR require the ballot question to read: “SHALL TAXES BE INCREASED…”?
The county commissioners intentionally wrote the question to mislead voters with the assistance of a $300,000 politically well-connected operative. The county used our tax money to pay the operative.
What happens to the property tax caps that were passed in the recent legislative special session?
If Jefferson County Issue 1A passes, those caps will not apply and will be forfeited forever, eliminating future voter consent. State law doesn’t allow voters to collect petition signatures for a county issue so we wouldn’t be able to restore the caps if we lose them in this upcoming election.