2016 Business Ballot Guide

Don’t be daunted by this year’s long ballot. Some of our most critical issues will be near the bottom, so stay strong and use this guide to speed up the process and make it to the very end of your ballot.

As in every election, it’s important to know the facts about ballot issues. The Chamber has taken a stance on a number of critical statewide and regional ballot measures. We will share not only our position on the ballot issue but, just as importantly, why we have taken that position.

Position	Ballot	Summary
	Proposition II: Tobacco and Nicotine Product Tax Revenue Measure	This ballot measure asks voters whether Colorado can keep and utilize excess revenue ($23.65 million) generated from increased and new tobacco, cigarette and nicotine taxes approved by voters in 2020 through Proposition EE, or whether the excess revenue will be refunded to distributors and wholesalers, and tax rates set by Prop EE will be reduced. If approved, the additional revenue would be allocated to the state's universal preschool program, which is the current primary recipient of Proposition EE funds. The Chamber took a support position on Proposition II: The additional revenue from the sale of nicotine products amounts to more than $23 million, which is an exceptional aide in providing universal preschool programs to Colorado's families. This measure allows universal preschool programs to receive needed funding without placing additional burdens on businesses through raised taxes.
	Proposition HH: Property Tax Changes and Revenue Change Measure	Proposition HH would make various changes to state property taxes and changes to state revenue limits, including reducing property taxes; creating two new subclasses of residential property effective in 2025; providing funds to local governments to make up for decreased property tax revenues; creating a limit on local government property tax revenue; and creating a new cap on state revenue allowing the state to retain revenue up to the newly created cap, that it would otherwise be required to refund to residents under the Colorado Taxpayer's Bill of Rights (TABOR.) The Chamber is neutral toward Proposition HH: Proposition HH is a multifaceted and complicated ballot measure. After a great deal of discussion, the Chamber Board was divided, with neither enough members voting in favor of HH to endorse the measure, but also not enough members voting against the measure to officially oppose. Chamber policy requires a minimum of 60% of the Board to agree prior to taking a position for or against a ballot measure. Being divided, the Chamber Board encourages member companies to carefully review Proposition HH and make the decision most appropriate for their companies and their employees.

Position

Ballot

Summary

Proposition II: Tobacco and Nicotine Product Tax Revenue Measure

This ballot measure asks voters whether Colorado can keep and utilize excess revenue ($23.65 million) generated from increased and new tobacco, cigarette and nicotine taxes approved by voters in 2020 through Proposition EE, or whether the excess revenue will be refunded to distributors and wholesalers, and tax rates set by Prop EE will be reduced. If approved, the additional revenue would be allocated to the state's universal preschool program, which is the current primary recipient of Proposition EE funds.

The Chamber took a support position on Proposition II: The additional revenue from the sale of nicotine products amounts to more than $23 million, which is an exceptional aide in providing universal preschool programs to Colorado's families. This measure allows universal preschool programs to receive needed funding without placing additional burdens on businesses through raised taxes.

Proposition HH: Property Tax Changes and Revenue Change Measure

Proposition HH would make various changes to state property taxes and changes to state revenue limits, including reducing property taxes; creating two new subclasses of residential property effective in 2025; providing funds to local governments to make up for decreased property tax revenues; creating a limit on local government property tax revenue; and creating a new cap on state revenue allowing the state to retain revenue up to the newly created cap, that it would otherwise be required to refund to residents under the Colorado Taxpayer's Bill of Rights (TABOR.)

The Chamber is neutral toward Proposition HH: Proposition HH is a multifaceted and complicated ballot measure. After a great deal of discussion, the Chamber Board was divided, with neither enough members voting in favor of HH to endorse the measure, but also not enough members voting against the measure to officially oppose. Chamber policy requires a minimum of 60% of the Board to agree prior to taking a position for or against a ballot measure. Being divided, the Chamber Board encourages member companies to carefully review Proposition HH and make the decision most appropriate for their companies and their employees.

Position Key
Support
Oppose
Neutral

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