(Here’s the short version: Vote NO on both LL and MM, if you want to know why, keep reading!)
(Note: You can watch my video run-down of this guide by clicking here)
It’s an odd year Colorado, which means not a lot of people are expected to vote.
So, it’s even more important for you to cast your ballot, talk to your neighbors and actively participate in the election.
There are only two statewide ballot initiatives this year.
They probably won’t be too exciting for most people, but they are important.
You can vote in person, but most Colorado voters will mail their ballot back or drop it off.
You have until Tuesday, November 4th by 7 PM to drop them off at your local county drop box.
Both of these measures were referred to the ballot by the State Legislature.
They are propositions, and not amendments, so they only need a simple majority to become law.
Also, it’s thanks to Colorado’s Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR) that we have the opportunity to vote on these changes to State Law.
Without TABOR, the Legislature could increase our taxes or play games with our money without ever asking the voters for approval.
Not only that, but the Blue Book Voter Guide that you received in the mail is also thanks to TABOR.
Let’s take a look at these two propositions.
Proposition LL: Retain and Spend State Revenue Exceeding the Estimate for Proposition FF
In 2022, Colorado voters approved Proposition FF to increase state revenue for Colorado taxpayers making $300,000 or more by reducing the amount they could deduct on their income tax returns.
Prop. FF collected this money for the “Healthy School Meals for All Program,” which created a “free lunch program,” for students across the State. (There ain’t no such thing as a free lunch!)
As you may have expected, the “Healthy School Meals for All Program” ran out of money early on.
In April 2024, the Common Sense Institute reported that “after just one year, the program is expected to reach CSI’s budget deficit projection 5 years early,” and had a “$50 million budget gap.”
Under Prop. FF, Colorado voters allowed only $100,727,820 in additional revenue to be collected by the State. Any revenue collected above that is refunded back to taxpayers.
And now, Legislators want more of our hard-earned money.
Proposition LL allows for the State to retain tax revenue that has already been collected in excess of what was previously approved under FF. This is projected to be about $12.4 million this fiscal year, and is projected to increase to nearly $14 million next year.
LL and MM (at least a portion of it) were put on the ballot when Legislators passed HB25-1274 earlier this year.
Unfortunately, one Republican joined Democrats in voting for this bill, Senator Janice Rich.
It’s also important to note the language on the ballot title which begins, “Without raising taxes…” This is deceptive, because it is an effective tax increase, i.e. the State keeps more of our money than it otherwise would!
If LL passes, taxes will be increased for 200,000 Coloradans, millions of dollars will be taken out of the economy, and Coloradans will have less money to invest in our communities, and our businesses.
LL also allows for unlimited tax collection, eliminating the TABOR limit for revenue collected through this tax scheme.
Proposition LL is bad for Liberty.
Proposition MM: Increase State Taxes for School Meals and Food Assistance Programs
Similar to LL, this is a tax increase, but at least it is obvious in the title.
The proponents of this bill, State Legislators, are hoping that most Colorado voters will have no problem raising taxes on individuals making $300,000 or more.
If MM passes, Coloradans will see a whopping $95 million tax increase!
During the Special Session in August, the Legislature passed SB25B-003, which amended MM (which was already going to be on the ballot due to HB25-1274) by adding SNAP Food Stamps to what the “Healthy School Meals for All Program” money can be used for, and changed how the money can be allocated.
Unfortunately, one Republican in the House voted with Democrats for this massive tax increase, Rep. Rick Taggart.
MM is a wealth-redistribution scheme designed to steal money from higher-income earners and give it to school kids and those receiving food stamps.
If it passes, the government will grow, more money will be taken out of the economy, and individuals who make good money will have less of it to invest or spend in their communities.
The “Healthy School Meals for All Program” has already not delivered what was promised, why should this be any different?
Politicians make promises and when they fail to deliver, they keep coming back to taxpayers for more of our money.
MM is bad for Liberty.
Who is Supporting these Initiatives?
Let’s take a look at the two issue committees that were created to support both of these ballot measures and see where their money is coming from.
On the Colorado Secretary of State’s website, two issue committees are listed as being registered with the purpose of supporting both of these two ballot measures:
Keep Kids Fed Colorado and Community Change Action – Colorado.
Keep Kids Fed Colorado is supported by Hunger Free Colorado, a statewide non-profit that has contributed over $270,000 to this effort. (TRACER Filing Here)
Hunger Free Colorado lists corporate sponsors of Snarf’s Sandwiches, Dry Dock Brewing and ezCater on their website.
Liberty-minded Coloradans should have no qualms about private companies contributing to a non-profit that wants to feed kids, but let’s take a look at how much money Hunger Free Colorado has received from Colorado taxpayers:
Over $2.3 million has been paid out to Hunger Free Colorado by the State Government for fiscal year 2025!
How much of this taxpayer money was then used to fund an electioneering campaign to convince Coloradans to raise taxes?!
This kind of scheme, where tax money is given to a non-profit, and then used for election purposes is a blatant violation of the public trust and should be illegal in my opinion.
The State is forcibly taking our money, so it can be used on an election campaign!
Let’s take a look at Community Change Action – Colorado (TRACER Filing Here).
This group currently only shows a $13,000 contribution from Community Change Action based in Washington D.C.
According to Influence Watch, Community Change Action helped organize the “#NoKings” protests in June of this year, supports illegal immigration, and a variety of social welfare programs.
Community Change Action is also tied to the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition (CIRC), the Working Families Party, the Tides Foundation, George Soros’ Open Society Foundations and the Pritzker Foundation according to Influence Watch.
As if there weren’t enough reasons to oppose these ballot measures, looking at the supporters and big spenders surely makes the case that these are bad policies for Colorado.
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