Colorado Springs voters weigh in on road tax proposal

Less than one week after ballots were mailed out in Colorado Springs, KRDO NewsChannel 13 is following up with voters on a proposed tax increase to fix roads.

An organization backed by the billionaire brothers, David and Charles Koch, says the city has the money to fix roads without raising taxes.

The conservative political group Americans for Prosperity hired an accountant to review the city’s budget. The group says there’s enough money already there to fix the city’s streets.

KRDO NewsChannel 13 asked Colorado Springs voters if they’ll be swayed by the Koch brothers’ anti-tax position.

“They have their opinions, I have mine. All I know is that I’m tired of driving over a pothole, or five or six every single day,” said Cole Reynolds, who lives in the city.

“They’re run by their organization called Americans for Prosperity. That’s prosperity for the Koch brothers, not for the people of Colorado Springs,” said Steve Bremner, who also lives in Colorado Springs.

Many voters say they support the 0.62 percent sales tax because they say it’s badly needed.

“I feel like Colorado Springs is really lacking right now — the fact that tourists come here to Colorado Springs and see that our roads are very dilapidated.”

If approved, the tax would generate $250 million over five years. Voters will then determine if the tax should be extended.