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Colorado TABOR: A Survey of Colorado Likely Voters Age 18+

by Joanne Binette, M.P.A., AARP Knowledge Management, AARP Research, December, 2004

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In 1992, Colorado voters amended the state's constitution through passage of the Taxpayers' Bill of Rights (TABOR) requiring that state and local tax increases be approved by the affected voters, thereby limiting revenue growth for state and local governments and their ability to fund public services. As a result, TABOR has had wide-ranging, profound fiscal effects that could not have been foreseen.

This telephone survey of 1,001 randomly chosen age 18+ Coloradans who say they are registered and likely to vote in the 2006 state election explores their opinions about the state's budget, ways to generate money for state services, and changing or repealing TABOR.

Survey respondents generally support

  • changing the current TABOR law to allow funding for state services that have been cut during recession periods in order to restore funding to previous levels
  • changing TABOR so that funding for state services can continue to increase as the population grows

Although the surveyed voters believe it is important to restore funding for state services, they are unsure about specific ways to go about it. About half agree and another half disagree with allowing the state to keep all or part of the projected tax refunds as ways to generate money for state services. Over half disagree with selling public buildings and leasing them back from the buyers and selling the tobacco settlement fund while another 15 percent say they are unsure of these two methods.

Surveying took place from November 12 through 23, 2004. The report was prepared by Joanne Binette of AARP Knowledge Management who may be contacted at 202-434-6303 for further information. (21 pages)