First Extraordinary Session
Seventy-fourth General Assembly
STATE OF COLORADO
REVISED
This Version Includes All Amendments Adopted
on Second Reading in the Second House
LLS NO. 23B-0021.02 Alison Killen x4350
HOUSE BILL 23B-1003
House Committees Senate Committees
State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs Finance
Appropriations Appropriations
A BILL FOR AN ACT
C
ONCERNING THE CREATION OF THE PROPERTY TAX TASK
FORCE, AND,101
IN CONNECTION THEREWITH , MAKING AN APPROPRIATION .102
Bill Summary
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does
not reflect any amendments that may be subsequently adopted. If this bill
passes third reading in the house of introduction, a bill summary that
applies to the reengrossed version of this bill will be available at
http://leg.colorado.gov
.)
The bill creates the property tax task force (task force). The task
force consists of 11 members, including members of the general assembly
and individuals who are not members of the general assembly. The bill
also creates 2 task force subpanels that consist of members from the task
force and other members. The purposes of the task force and the task
force subpanels are to study and develop a permanent and sustainable
SENATE
Amended 2nd Reading
November 19, 2023
HOUSE
3rd Reading Unamended
November 18, 2023
HOUSE
Amended 2nd Reading
November 17, 2023
HOUSE SPONSORSHIP
Snyder, Amabile, Bird, Boesenecker, Brown, Daugherty, Duran, Epps, Froelich, Herod,
Jodeh, Joseph, Kipp, Lindsay, Lukens, Marshall, Mauro, McCluskie, McLachlan, Ortiz,
Sharbini, Story, Titone, Valdez, Velasco, Weissman, Young
SENATE SPONSORSHIP
Mullica,
Shading denotes HOUSE amendment. Double underlining denotes SENATE amendment.
Capital letters or bold & italic numbers indicate new material to be added to existing law.
Dashes through the words or numbers indicate deletions from existing law. property tax structure for the state of Colorado.
The task force is required to:
! Convene by June 15, 2024;
! Meet at least 5 times in its first year and at least 8 times
every year thereafter that it meets; and
! Submit reports with its findings and recommendations to
the general assembly by October 15.
After the task force makes its first report to the general assembly,
the task force may determine that it has fulfilled its purposes and the task
force may be disbanded.
The task force is repealed on November 1, 2027.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:1
SECTION 1. Legislative declaration. (1) The general assembly2
finds and declares that:3
(a) Colorado has experienced historic growth in property values4
which has caused property taxes to rise well above the rate of inflation,5
contributing to an increase in the cost of housing;6
(b) Legislation passed in 2022 and 2023 temporarily reduced7
property taxes for homeowners and businesses;8
(c) It is important that leaders come together to work towards9
developing a property tax structure for future years that balances the10
needs of homeowners, businesses, and local governments that rely on11
property tax to provide local services;12
(d) The state of Colorado has a long tradition of respecting local13
control. In furtherance of that tradition, the general assembly declares that14
buy-in and involvement from individuals with an intimate understanding15
of the needs of their communities will be crucial in realizing its goal to16
develop a permanent and sustainable property tax structure for the state.17
(e) Colorado public schools receive over half of their funding18
from property tax and the Colorado general assembly has a bipartisan19
1003-2- objective to fully fund the Public School Finance Act without a budget1
stabilization factor; and2
(f) Residential tenants pay property taxes through their rent, which3
contributes to the high cost of housing, making residential tenants an4
important consideration in any property tax proposal.5
SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add part 22 to article6
2 of title 2 as follows:7
PART 228
PROPERTY TAX TASK FORCE9
2-2-2201. Commission on property tax - creation - powers and10
duties - report - repeal. (1) NOTWITHSTANDING SECTION 2-3-303.3,11
THERE IS CREATED THE COMMISSION ON PROPERTY TAX, REFERRED TO IN12
THIS SECTION AS THE "COMMISSION", FOR THE PURPOSE OF STUDYING AND13
MAKING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR A PROPERTY TAX STRUCTURE THAT14
PROTECTS PROPERTY OWNERS AND RESIDENTIAL TENANTS FROM RISING15
PROPERTY TAXES WHILE MEETING THE NEEDS OF GOVERNMENTS THAT16
RELY ON PROPERTY TAX TO PAY FOR LOCAL SERVICES .17
(2) THE COMMISSION CONSISTS OF NINETEEN MEMBERS THAT18
REPRESENT THE DEMOGRAPHIC AND GEOGRAPHIC DIVERSITY OF THE STATE19
AS FOLLOWS:20
21
(a) T
WO MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES , WITH ONE
22
MEMBER OF THE MAJORITY PARTY APPOINTED BY THE SPEAKER OF THE23
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND ONE MEMBER OF THE MINORITY PARTY24
APPOINTED BY THE HOUSE MINORITY LEADER ;25
(b) T
WO MEMBERS OF THE SENATE , WITH ONE MEMBER OF THE
26
MAJORITY PARTY APPOINTED BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AND ONE27
1003
-3- MEMBER OF THE MINORITY PARTY APPOINTED BY THE SENATE MINORITY1
LEADER;2
(c) T
HE PROPERTY TAX ADMINISTRATOR IN THE DIVISION OF
3
PROPERTY TAXATION IN THE DEPARTMENT OF LOCAL AFFAIRS ;4
(d) O
NE INDIVIDUAL WHO IS A MAYOR OR ELECTED CITY COUNCIL
5
PERSON, OR THE DESIGNEE OF A MAYOR OR ELECTED CITY COUNCIL6
PERSON, APPOINTED BY THE COLORADO MUNICIPAL LEAGUE;7
(e) O
NE INDIVIDUAL WHO IS SERVING OR HAS SERVED AS A COUNTY
8
ASSESSOR, APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR;9
(f) T
HE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE SPECIAL DISTRICT
10
A
SSOCIATION OF COLORADO;
11
(g) O
NE INDIVIDUAL WHO IS THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER OF A
12
SCHOOL DISTRICT, APPOINTED BY THE COLORADO ASSOCIATION OF13
S
CHOOL EXECUTIVES;
14
(h) O
NE INDIVIDUAL REPRESENTING A STATEWIDE ORGANIZATION
15
THAT HAS EXPERTISE IN COLORADO SCHOOL FUNDING POLICY OR A16
STATEWIDE ORGANIZATION THAT REPRESENTS COLORADO EDUCATORS ,17
APPOINTED BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE ;18
(i) O
NE INDIVIDUAL REPRESENTING AN ORGANIZATION THAT
19
REPRESENTS COLORADO COMMERCIAL OR RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY20
OWNERS, APPOINTED BY THE HOUSE MINORITY LEADER ;21
(j) O
NE INDIVIDUAL WHO IS A FIRE CHIEF, APPOINTED BY THE
22
C
OLORADO STATE FIRE CHIEFS;
23
(k) O
NE INDIVIDUAL REPRESENTING AN ORGANIZATION WITH
24
EXPERTISE IN ADVOCATING FOR LOW -INCOME INDIVIDUALS, SENIORS,25
INDIVIDUALS WITH FIXED INCOMES, OR RESIDENTIAL TENANTS, APPOINTED26
BY THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ;27
1003
-4- (l) THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF A STATEWIDE OR REGIONAL1
BUSINESS ORGANIZATION, APPOINTED BY THE SENATE MINORITY LEADER ;2
(m) O
NE INDIVIDUAL WHO IS SERVING AS A COUNTY
3
COMMISSIONER FROM A COUNTY THAT IS IN THE FRONT RANGE REGION , AS4
DEFINED IN SECTION 26-5-103.5 (2)(c)(I)(B), APPOINTED BY THE5
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE;6
(n) O
NE INDIVIDUAL WHO IS SERVING AS A COUNTY COMMISSIONER
7
FROM A COUNTY THAT IS IN THE MOUNTAIN REGION , AS DEFINED IN8
SECTION 26-5-103.5 (2)(c)(I)(C), APPOINTED BY THE SPEAKER OF THE9
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES;10
(o) O
NE INDIVIDUAL WHO IS SERVING AS A COUNTY COMMISSIONER
11
FROM A COUNTY THAT IS IN THE EASTERN REGION , AS DEFINED IN SECTION12
26-5-103.5 (2)(c)(I)(A).
APPOINTED BY THE HOUSE MINORITY LEADER ;
13
(p) O
NE INDIVIDUAL WHO IS SERVING AS A COUNTY COMMISSIONER
14
FROM A COUNTY THAT IS IN THE SOUTHERN REGION , AS DEFINED IN15
SECTION 26-5-103.5 (2)(c)(I)(D), APPOINTED BY THE SENATE MINORITY16
LEADER; AND17
(q) O
NE INDIVIDUAL WHO IS SERVING AS A COUNTY COMMISSIONER
18
FROM A COUNTY THAT IS IN THE WESTERN REGION , AS DEFINED IN SECTION19
26-5-103.5 (2)(c)(I)(E),
APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR .
20
(3) (a) ALL APPOINTMENTS DESCRIBED IN SUBSECTION (2) OF THIS21
SECTION SHALL BE MADE NO LATER THAN DECEMBER 4, 2023. AN22
INDIVIDUAL WHO IS MATERIALLY CONNECTED TO AN INITIATIVE PETITION23
THAT CONCERNS PROPERTY TAX AND T HAT HAS BEEN SUBMITTED TO THE24
DIRECTORS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND THE OFFICE OF LEGISLATIVE25
LEGAL SERVICES FOR REVIEW AND COMMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION26
1-40-105
(1) OR WHO IS A REGISTERED AGENT OR COMPENSATED
27
1003
-5- EMPLOYEE OF AN ISSUE COMMITTEE , AS DEFINED IN SECTION 1-45-1031
(12),
THAT SUPPORTS OR OPPOSES SUCH AN INITIATED MEASURE IS
2
INELIGIBLE TO BE APPOINTED TO THE COMMISSION .3
(b) THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE SHALL APPOINT THE CHAIR OF4
THE COMMISSION AND THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES5
SHALL APPOINT THE VICE-CHAIR OF THE COMMISSION. 6
(c) MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION SERVE AT THE PLEASURE OF THE7
APPLICABLE APPOINTING AUTHORITY OR UNTIL THE MEMBER NO LONGER8
SERVES IN THE POSITION FOR WHICH THAT MEMBER WAS APPOINTED TO9
THE COMMISSION, AT WHICH TIME A VACANCY IS DEEMED TO EXIST ON THE10
COMMISSION. IF A VACANCY OCCURS, THE APPROPRIATE APPOINTING11
AUTHORITY SHALL APPOINT A REPLACEMENT MEMBER WHO MEETS THE12
REQUIREMENTS SET FORTH IN SUBSECTION (2) OF THIS SECTION FOR THE13
VACANT POSITION NOT LATER THAN TEN BUSINESS DAYS FROM THE DATE14
THE VACANCY IS DEEMED TO EXIST. IF THE APPROPRIATE APPOINTING15
AUTHORITY FAILS TO APPOINT A REPLACEMENT MEMBER AS REQUIRED BY16
THIS SUBSECTION (3)(c), THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF17
REPRESENTATIVES SHALL APPOINT A REPLACEMENT MEMBER WHO MEETS18
THE REQUIREMENTS SET FORTH IN SUBSECTION (2) OF THIS SECTION.19
(d) THE COMMISSION MAY ESTABLISH SPECIAL PURPOSE20
SUBCOMMITTEES WITH NONVOTING MEMBERS TO EVALUATE AND21
CONSIDER PROPERTY TAX ISSUES AS IT DEEMS NECESSARY TO FULFILL ITS22
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES SET FORTH IN SUBSECTION (5) OF THIS SECTION.23
(e) AS SOON AS FEASIBLE AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS24
SUBSECTION (3)(e), THE COMMISSION SHALL ENTER INTO A CONTRACT25
WITH A FACILITATOR WITH EXPERIENCE IN TAX POLICY TO GUIDE THE26
WORK OF THE COMMISSION AND TO ASSIST IN DRAFTING THE REPORT27
1003
-6- REQUIRED IN SUBSECTION (6)(a) OF THIS SECTION. THE COMMISSION SHALL1
SELECT A NEUTRAL FACILITATOR WHO IS NOT AFFILIATED WITH A2
STATEWIDE ORGANIZATION DESCRIBED IN SUBSECTION (2) OF THIS3
SECTION.4
(4) (a) THE COMMISSION SHALL MEET AT LEAST TWICE A MONTH5
BEGINNING THE WEEK OF DECEMBER 5, 2023, THROUGH THE WEEK OF6
MARCH 15, 2024, EXCLUDING THE WEEK OF DECEMBER 27, 2023. THE7
COMMISSION MAY MEET MORE OFTEN AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CHAIR .8
A MAJORITY OF THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION MAY VOTE TO EXTEND9
THE WORK OF THE COMMISSION PAST MARCH 15 , 2024, OR TO10
TERMINATE THE WORK OF THE COMMISSION AT ANY TIME, AND THE WORK11
OF THE COMMISSION MAY ALSO BE EXTENDED AS REQUIRED BY12
SUBSECTION (6)(a) OF THIS SECTION.13
(b) THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL STAFF AND THE OFFICE OF14
LEGISLATIVE LEGAL SERVICES SHALL BE AVAILABLE TO ASSIST THE15
COMMISSION IN CARRYING OUT ITS DUTIES.16
(5) (a) THE PURPOSE OF THE COMMISSION IS TO IDENTIFY ,17
CONSIDER, AND EVALUATE LEGISLATIVE OPTIONS FOR A PERMANENT18
AND SUSTAINABLE PROPERTY TAX STRUCTURE FOR THE STATE .19
(b) THE COMMISSION SHALL IDENTIFY, CONSIDER, AND EVALUATE20
OPTIONS FOR A PROPERTY TAX STRUCTURE THAT PROTECTS PROPERTY21
OWNERS FROM RISING TAX BILLS AND IS SUSTAINABLE FOR LOCAL22
GOVERNMENTS AND PUBLIC SCHOOLS , WHICH MAY INCLUDE23
CONSIDERATION OF PROPERTY TAX PROPOSALS THAT HAVE BEEN24
SUBMITTED TO THE STATE TITLE BOARD .25
(c) FOR EACH PROPERTY TAX STRUCTURE OPTION, THE26
COMMISSION SHALL CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING FACTORS :27
1003
-7- (I) LOCAL CONTROL;1
(II) IMPACT TO PROPERTY OWNERS AND LOCAL TAXING2
JURISDICTIONS IN DIFFERENT AREAS OF THE STATE;3
(III) IMPACT TO RESIDENTIAL AND NONRESIDENTIAL REAL4
PROPERTY;5
(IV) IMPACT TO SCHOOL FINANCE AND THE BUDGET STABILIZATION6
FACTOR;7
(V) LONG-TERM IMPACT TO PROPERTY OWNERS AND LOCAL8
TAXING JURISDICTIONS UNDER DIFFERENT PROPERTY VALUE GROWTH9
SCENARIOS;10
(VI) IMPACTS TO HOUSING AFFORDABILITY , INCLUDING FOR11
RESIDENTIAL TENANTS;12
(VII) IMPACTS TO RESIDENTIAL TENANTS, INCENTIVES FOR13
DEVELOPMENT, AND THE POTENTIAL FOR LOWER PROPERTY TAXES FOR14
RESIDENCES AS A RESULT OF CHANGING TO A LAND VALUE TAX SYSTEM ;15
(VIII) IMPACTS TO THE ABILITY OF COUNTIES TO PROVIDE16
STATUTORILY MANDATED AND VOTER -APPROVED SERVICES TO COLORADO17
RESIDENTS; AND18
(IX) DISPROPORTIONATE IMPACTS OF THE RISING TAX BILLS ON19
PEOPLE WITH LOWER INCOMES, ESPECIALLY PEOPLE WITH FIXED INCOMES,20
IN PROVIDING FAIR AND EQUITABLE PROPERTY TAX RELIEF .21
(6) (a) NO LATER THAN MARCH 15 , 2024, THE COMMISSION SHALL22
MAKE A REPORT TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND THE GOVERNOR ,23
INCLUDING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR BOTH SHORT-TERM AND LONG-TERM24
LEGISLATIVE CHANGES THAT WILL FURTHER THE PURPOSE OF THE25
COMMISSION SET FORTH IN SUBSECTION (5)(a) OF THIS SECTION. IF A26
PROPOSED INITIATIVE CONCERNING PROPERTY TAX FOR THE 2024 GENERAL27
1003
-8- ELECTION IS TIMELY SUBMITTED TO THE DIRECTORS OF THE LEGISLATIVE1
COUNCIL AND THE OFFICE OF LEGISLATIVE LEGAL SERVICES FOR REVIEW2
AND COMMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 1-40-105 (1) AFTER THE3
COMMISSION HAS SUBMITTED THE REPORT , THE COMMISSION SHALL4
RECONVENE, CONSIDER THE EFFECT OF THE PROPOSED INITIATIVE IF IT5
WERE TO BE APPROVED BY THE VOTERS OF THE STATE AND BECOME LAW6
AND, IF DEEMED APPROPRIATE BY THE COMMISSION , SUPPLEMENT THE7
REPORT WITH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED8
INITIATIVE.9
(b) THE COMMISSION REPORT MUST CONTAIN ONLY10
RECOMMENDATIONS SUPPORTED BY TEN OR MORE MEMBERS OF THE11
COMMISSION.12
(c) IF A MAJORITY OF COMMISSION MEMBERS VOTE TO EXTEND THE13
WORK OF THE COMMISSION PAST MARCH 15, 2024, IN ACCORDANCE WITH14
SUBSECTION (4)(a) OF THIS SECTION, THEN THE COMMISSION SHALL MAKE15
A REPORT TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND THE GOVERNOR IN16
ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SUBSECTION (6) NO LATER THAN DECEMBER 31,17
2024.18
(7) THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ,19
CREATED IN SECTION 2-3-301 (1), MAY ALLOCATE FUNDING FROM THE20
LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT CASH FUND, CREATED IN SECTION 2-2-1601,21
FOR THE PURPOSES OF THE COMMISSION INCLUDING FOR HIRING22
PROFESSIONAL FACILITATION SERVICES , PUBLIC OUTREACH AND23
ENGAGEMENT, AND OTHER NECESSARY SERVICES .24
(8) THIS SECTION IS REPEALED, EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 31, 2024.25
SECTION 3. Appropriation. (1) For the 2023-24 state fiscal26
year, $80,271 is appropriated to the legislative department. This27
1003
-9- appropriation is from the general fund. To implement this act, the1
department may use this appropriation as follows:2
(a) $8,492 for use by the general assembly;3
(b) $63,185 for use by the legislative council, which amount is4
based on an assumption that the legislative council will require an5
additional 0.8 FTE; and6
(c) $8,594 for use by the office of legislative legal services, which7
amount is based on an assumption that the office will require an8
additional 0.1 FTE.9
SECTION 4. Safety clause. The general assembly finds,10
determines, and declares that this act is necessary for the immediate11
preservation of the public peace, health, or safety or for appropriations for12
the support and maintenance of the departments of the state and state13
institutions.14
1003
-10-