COLORADO – Colorado state lawmakers are meeting in a special session this week to discuss how to reduce property taxes as home prices continue to rise across the state.

The special session will consider bill SB24-233, which passed earlier this year and changes how property taxes are calculated for the 2025 tax year and beyond. The goal is to prevent a vote on two ballot measures in November. Critics say the ballot questions would significantly reduce the state’s revenue to fund schools and other programs.

SB24-233 added revenue limits on how much money can be collected for local taxing districts, namely 5.5%, with some exceptions, such as for home-governed municipalities and school districts.

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One of the biggest changes that came with the bill is the creation of two different assessment rates to calculate taxes for school districts compared to all other taxing districts that property owners pay. Previously, homeowners paid one assessment rate to calculate all taxes they owed.

The new bill introduces separate tax rates for calculating tax amounts for each school district.

Assessment rates continue to vary for different property types. Traditionally, rates are split between residential and non-residential. For example, a higher assessment rate of 25% will apply to most businesses for the 2025 tax year.

Keep in mind that the exact numbers for these rates will likely change during this week’s special session, but here’s the case under current state law. State lawmakers are considering lowering the assessment rates for both formulas during the special session.

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Colorado State Fair judge says she was ‘brutal’ in selecting the best bakers

If you watch Loretta Ivory judging the oatmeal cookie contests at the Colorado State Fair, you’ll quickly realize that her standards are exceptionally high, unless she’s judging a contest in the junior category.

Colorado State Fair judge says she was ‘brutal’ in selecting the best bakers

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