Colorado Democrats Want TABOR Refunds Again

9News reports that Colorado Democrats are once again pushing a ballot measure to let the state keep TABOR refunds that would otherwise be returned to taxpayers. Senate Bill 135 would ask voters to give up refunds for 10 years, allowing the state to keep and spend up to $4.5 billion for education-related spending. fileciteturn15file0

This is the third Democratic-backed attempt since 2019 to redirect TABOR refund money away from taxpayers. Voters rejected similar efforts in 2019 and 2023. This time, the proposal is sponsored by Democratic Sen. Jeff Bridges of Greenwood Village, who also happens to want to be Colorado’s next state treasurer. Yes, the guy asking to keep your refund wants to be in charge of the state checkbook. Nothing to see here, folks. Move along.

The Bullet Point Brief

• Democrats are asking to keep your TABOR refunds again. Third time since 2019. Apparently “no” is just a speed bump.
• The proposal would let the state keep and spend up to $4.5 billion that otherwise belongs back in taxpayers’ pockets.
• They say it is for education, teacher pay, class sizes, pre-K, Medicaid for kids, and the newly named “Children’s Account.” Because every tax grab needs a teddy bear.
• Former Republican Gov. Bill Owens said this is not a TABOR ratchet problem. It is an overspending problem. Imagine that.
• The sponsor, Sen. Jeff Bridges, wants to be Colorado’s next treasurer. Asking to keep your money while applying to manage the vault is what we call a red flag with flashing lights.

My Bottom Line

Three times.

Three times since Gov. Jared Polis descended from Boulder and ascended to Colorado’s throne, Democrats have asked voters to let the state keep money that belongs to taxpayers.

At what point does Colorado’s Great Suburban Normie wake the hell up?

TABOR refunds are not a gift from government. They are not bonus checks. They are not loose change the ruling Democrats found under the Capitol couch cushions.

They are constitutionally protected taxpayer dollars.

Your money.

But here come the Democrats again, telling you it is “for the children.” It is always for the children. Funny how every attempt to pick your pocket comes with a school bus painted on the side.

And this time, the sponsor is Jeff Bridges, the same Democrat who wants to be your next state treasurer. That should make every taxpayer sit straight up in their chair. If your opening pitch is “let me keep more of your refund,” maybe you should not be handed the keys to the state treasury.

Colorado families live within their means every day. They cut back. They make choices. They say no to things they cannot afford.

The ruling Democrats under the gold dome should try it.

Stop lying. Stop rebranding. Stop pretending your spending problem is our moral obligation.

Give Coloradans their constitutionally protected money back.

Source: 9News