Initial hearing set for initiative to repeal TABOR

It’s short and to the point, but an initiative filed with the Colorado Title Board aims to do one thing: repeal a state law that makes all tax rate increases subject to voter approval.

The original text of initiative 2019-2020 #3 literally says five words in its proposal: “TABOR – Repeal (Full TABOR Repeal)” That was updated with a few more words, specifically calling for a repeal of Article X Section 20 in the Colorado Constitution.

It was filed by Carol Hedges of the Colorado Fiscal Institute and Steve Briggs, a mediator. The initial hearing will take place at 1 p.m. Wednesday.

The goal is to allow lawmakers to pass bills that would increase taxes without putting the measure before voters on a ballot. It has support from state Democrats, but state Republicans are calling the move a way to “circumvent the voters altogether,” according to Adam Johnson with Compass Colorado.

Hedges says TABOR is outdated and limits growth in the state.

“Over the last two and a half decades, we’ve talked a lot about TABOR – how it severely limits Colorado’s ability to invest in ourselves or benefit from economic growth,” Hedges said.

Ultimately, any proposal to repeal TABOR will most likely have to be approved by voters as well.