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Referendum to protect environmental funding approved
Referendum C was approved on Nov. 1, with 52 percent of the vote. An important ballot measure, referendum C allows the state to retain TABOR (Taxpayer Bill Of Rights) refunds to fund environmental projects.
A quirk in the Colorado State Constitution jeopardized funding to protect the environment. The Taxpayer Bill Of Rights (TABOR) requires a public vote to increase taxes and sets limits on how much state government can grow.
Unfortunately, it also contains an unintended ratchet mechanism that set the next years spending at the previous years spending. In 2002, Colorado went into a recession. Sept. 11, big fires and a sputtering national economy all contributed to the worst downturn
of state finances in 50 years.
Although the economy has improved, the TABOR amendments to the constitution require the state spend only a little more than they spent during the worst parts of the recession. Unless addressed, this could mean cuts in clean water and clean air programs, state parks and wildlife programs.
Referendum C will allow the state to fund programs that would otherwise have been cut. While it does not answer all environmental
concerns, it will prevent cuts or even the elimination of otherwise vital protections without raising taxes.
Environmentalists, hunters and fishermen team up for forests
A statewide coalition of environmental, recreation, hunting and fishing groups, along with Environment Colorado, is working hard to protect roadless areas in Colorado’s last wild forests with Colorado’s Forest Legacy.
After President Bush removed protection for 4.4 million acres of national forests in Colorado, along with 58.5 million acres nationwide,
Coloradans have pursued Gov. Owens to protect their remaining wild forests. Already, there have been over 20,000 public comments generated and over 300 endorsements from businesses, organizations and local elected officials.
Earlier this winter, Environment Colorado re-released the report “Our Natural Legacy: The Value Of America’s Roadless National Forests,” which explains how forests are part of the economic backbone of Colorado. Recent data shows that Colorado’s national
forests contribute nearly $60 million to the state’s economy, primarily from tourism and other recreation industries.
“Our wild forests are not only great places to fish and hike, they are a critical part of our tourist economy. People come here to enjoy wilderness, not to see clear cuts and mine tailings,” commented Environment Colorado Field Organizer Matt Garrington. |
