HomeMy WebLinkAboutresolution.council.109-19 RESOLUTION #109
(Series of 2019)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ASPEN,
COLORADO, IN SUPPORT OF COLORADO PROPOSITION CC, A
MEASURE ON THE NOVEMBER 2019 STATE BALLOT.
WHEREAS, Colorado regularly ranks as the top economy in the country, but cannot invest all
the money it collects for students, roads, bridges and transit because of current state spending
limits established in 1992; and
WHEREAS, Colorado ranks among the bottom states in the country for the quality of its
transportation infrastructure and K-12 public education investments; and
WHEREAS, if Proposition CC is adopted, the state will be allowed to keep and spend annual
revenue in excess of the state's 1992 spending limits and utilize the revenue for: (A) state and
local highway and transit projects; (B) public schools, and (C) public higher education; with
each of these categories receiving one-third of the authorized revenue; and
WHEREAS, Proposition CC is similar to revenue retention ballot measures already approved in
the overwhelming majority of the municipalities in Colorado; and
WHEREAS, the state estimates that the additional spending to be authorized by Proposition CC
may range from $277 million to $1.2 billion in the next two state fiscal years; and
WHEREAS, nearly 25% of public roads across Colorado are rated as being in "poor" condition
and almost 500 bridges have been deemed structurally deficient; and
WHEREAS, driving on roads in need of repair in Colorado costs each driver$580 per year•, and
WHEREAS, 40% of the money Prop CC raises for transportation will go to local governments
under existing Highway User Tax Fund (HUTF) formulas, with municipalities expected to
receive additional HUTF disbursements which may range from $16 million to $79 million in
the next two state fiscal years alone, along with the potential for additional revenue for
municipal transportation projects and programs in future years; and
WHEREAS, Colorado spends roughly $2,500 less per student than the national average,
ranking below some of the poorest states in the nation, including: Kentucky, Louisiana, New
Mexico, West Virginia, and Wyoming; and
WHEREAS, over 60% of Colorado's school districts operate on a four-day week—the most in
the country; and
WHEREAS, the state estimates that the approval of Proposition CC may provide an additional
$92 million to $439 million for investment in state education programs in the next two years
alone, with the potential for additional revenue for this purpose in the future; and
WHEREAS, in general the approval of Proposition CC will relieve the state of fiscal stress
caused by the 1992 spending limit, and thus make it less likely that the state will reduce or
eliminate spending on other state services and programs of concern to Colorado
municipalities; and
WHEREAS, thousands of Colorado's business, public sector, and academic leaders agree that
an arbitrary cap preventing the state from investing with the revenue it already collects is not
sound fiscal policy; and
WHEREAS, allowing the state to invest the revenue it already collects will stimulate growth
in our economy and help provide the critical services that enable all Coloradans the chance to
provide for themselves and their families; and
WHEREAS, Proposition CC contains provisions for unprecedented transparency and
accountability, including independent, annual, publicly available audits so Coloradans can see
where their money is going; and
WHEREAS, Proposition CC fully preserves the authority of the voters to approve new taxes or
tax rate increases at both the state and local level of government, as guaranteed under current
law; and
WHEREAS, §1-45-117 (1)(b)(III) of the Colorado Fair Campaign Practices Act authorizes
the adoption of this Resolution and reporting the passage of or distributing this Resolution by
established, customary means, other than paid advertising, through which the City of Aspen
resolutions are regularly provided to the public.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Aspen Mayor and City Council
officially declares its support for Proposition CC and for the reasons set forth in this
Resolution urges a YES vote on the proposition at the November 5, 2019 state election.
INTRODUCED, READ AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Aspen on the 8th
day of October,2019.
Torre, Mayor
I,Linda Manning,duly appointed and acting City Clerk do certify that the foregoing is a true
and accurate copy of that resolution adopted by the City Co cil of Aspen,Colorado,at a
meeting held October 8,2019.
Linda Mannin , City Clerk