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Here are some of the stories we are following this week. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for up-to-the-minute news.
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The folks from The Common Sense Institute have released a report showing just how much the taxes disguised as fees in Colorado cost us. If you factor these fees into the current 4.4% state income tax rate, the real tax rate is 14.2%, which is higher than California's top tax rate.
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Time is running out on a signature collection effort to get a progressive income tax measure on the November ballot. This is another way radical activists in Colorado are attempting to destroy TABOR and turn us into a state like California or New Jersey.
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There are updates this week on the radical takeover of Parks and Wildlife. CPW will now limit options for trapping furbearers in the state. This change in how furbearers are managed is based solely on the political agenda of the Polis-appointed members of the commission, and nothing else.
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Prepare for more attacks on gas-powered lawn equipment in Colorado. The Colorado Air Quality Control Commission plans to force commercial landscapers to replace their gas-powered lawn maintenance equipment with battery-powered equipment.
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A federal audit indicates that approximately 52% of Medicaid claims in the state lack proper documentation. So far, $54 million in home-care payments have been found that lack adequate information to justify the payments.
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Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser has bragged for years about his lawsuits against President Donald Trump. Now that he has won his primary election for governor, he’s hiding details about these lawsuits by dramatically increasing the cost for any CORA that requests details on the lawsuits.
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Phil Weiser has chosen his running mate for lieutenant governor this week. Jefferson County Commissioner Lesley Dahlkemper, who worked hard to eliminate TABOR protections for Jefferson County taxpayers, is his choice.
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The Polis dream of 100% “renewable” energy will leave Colorado with unreliable power for decades. Is it too late to turn back?
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More of your taxpayer money is funding “affordable” housing construction in Colorado Springs. Funds from Proposition 123 will be used to build rental housing for seniors in the city.
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There is a glowing report this week on the benefits of the Polis choo-choo train project. It’s safe to say that almost none of the rosy predictions outlined in this report will come true.
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Did you know that Colorado Energy Office uses your tax dollars for heat pump rebates? So far, $2.65 million has been awarded to people who installed heat pumps for home heating.
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Colorado is still the number one state in the nation for fentanyl seizures. Authorities seized millions and millions of fentanyl tablets in Colorado so far this year.
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The Independence Institute has released a thoughtful analysis of Prop NN, which would raise taxes and eliminate your TABOR protections forever. You will be able to vote on Proposition NN in November.
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Jefferson County Public Schools is using taxpayer money to pay DC law firms to force boys into girls' school locker rooms and restrooms. The hourly rate for these lawyers is $400.
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Denver Water is warning residents that more water restrictions may be needed. The board states that customers are complying with current restrictions, but that may not be enough.
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Denver Mayor Mike Johnston is proposing universal childcare in the Mile High City. The mayor also announced several ambitious development projects in the city, despite a looming budget shortfall.
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Monument, Colorado has become the latest municipality in the state to put a moratorium on data center construction. This moratorium will last at least six months.
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The City of Colorado Springs is bragging that closing restrooms in parks saved $70,000 so far. However, many taxpayers are not happy that they cannot use the park facilities their tax dollars paid for.
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People who use Colorado Avenue through Old Colorado City are reacting to the new road dieting changes in the area. This change is being marketed as a temporary “demonstration and testing” effort, but given their desire to micromanage how people commute, it seems unlikely the city will revert to the former configuration. You can provide your comments on this change here.
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The Colorado Springs Planning Commission this week approved the rezoning of 1,100 acres in Banning Lewis Ranch. This plan could radically reshape growth east of the city.
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If you would like to help support us in our mission as government watchdogs by becoming a Newsletter Sponsor, we are offering two sponsorships for each weekly newsletter, at the nominal cost of $100 each. Funds raised from these sponsorship opportunities will help us to keep looking out for taxpayers.
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You can also support Springs Taxpayers United when you shop. Springs Taxpayers United is now enrolled with the King Soopers Community Rewards Program. You can link your SooperCard to us by logging into your account and designating Springs Taxpayers United (SW470) as the recipient of the community reward for your King Soopers card. Thanks for your support!
Here are some upcoming meetings in the area. We hope you can attend one or more! If there are other public meetings you’d like to see announced here, please drop us a line. We are happy to include them in an upcoming newsletter. These might be government-related, candidate, or elected official meetings. Thanks!
Colorado Springs City Council Meetings
Monday, July 27, 9:00 a.m.
Colorado Springs City Council Work Session
107 N. Nevada, 3rd floor
Live stream link here
Agenda
Tuesday, July 28, 9:00 a.m.
Colorado Springs City Council
107 N. Nevada, 3rd floor
Live stream link here
Agenda
El Paso County Board of County Commissioners Meetings
Tuesday, August 4, 9:00 a.m.
El Paso County Board of County Commissioners
Centennial Hall
200 S. Cascade
Live stream link here
Agenda not yet posted
Tuesday, August 25, 9:00 a.m.
El Paso County Board of County Commissioners
Centennial Hall
200 S. Cascade
Live stream link here
Agenda not yet posted
Colorado Springs Utilities Board of Directors
Wednesday, August 19, 1:00 p.m.
Utilities Board of Directors
Blue River Board Room
Plaza of the Rockies, South Tower, 5th Floor
Live stream link here
Agenda not yet posted
Miscellaneous Meetings of Interest
Friday, July 31, 9:00 a.m.
Front Range Passenger Rail Board of Directors Meeting
Online Meeting - Registration Required
Information and Agenda
View the full Colorado Springs City Council meeting schedule here to see upcoming meetings.
View the full Board of El Paso County Commissioners meeting schedule here to see upcoming meetings.
View the full Colorado Springs Utilities Board meeting schedule here to see upcoming meetings. Please also follow CSU on their Facebook Page and on Twitter.
Don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube Channel. Since most of the City and County board and commission meetings are not televised or recorded, we are trying to remedy that. We now have a camera and tripod for volunteers to check out for future meetings.
If you have a tip about a story in the Pikes Peak region that you aren’t seeing reported, let us know. We will see what we can find out.
How to Contact City and County Officials:
City Hall
107 N. Nevada Avenue
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
(719) 385-5986
Contact City Council
Mayor's Office
30 S Nevada Avenue, Suite 601
Colorado Springs, CO 80901
(719) 385-5900
Contact the Mayor's Office
County Commissioners
200 South Cascade Avenue, Suite 100
Colorado Springs, CO 80903-2202
Phone: (719) 520-7276
https://www.elpasoco.com/contact-us/
Thank you!
Rebecca
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