P R O P O S I T I O N 117 : V OT E O N F E E S

Proposition 117 would require that the creation of certain state enterprises go to the voters for approval. The programs would need to have projected or actual revenue from fees and surcharges expected to exceed $ 100 million within the first five years. In 2018, the state had 16 programs that qualified as enterprises, seven of which made more than $ 100 million in the first five years, according to the Blue Book. Advocates of this measure also support the measure seeking to cut Colorado’s income tax rate.

The case for: The measure would require voter approval for enterprises that charge fees, which advocates say will strengthen the Taxpayer Bill of Rights and government oversight by residents. Voters, through TABOR, already are required to approve any new tax increase, but this measure will require that voters do the same for fees, forcing lawmakers not to rely on them. According to the Common Sense Institute, 69% of the state’s spending was exempt from TABOR in 2019 compared with 46% in 1993.

The case Enterprise fees are collected to fund specific purposes tied to the fee collection. Requiring voter approval before they can be used would restrict lawmakers’ funding of essential programs and operations, including for school districts. It also would increase the workload and costs for state agencies and county clerks to estimate revenues and add more ballot measures, according to opponents.