Commission of 19 members charged with finding solutions to rising assessments

A commission set to begin work this month on brainstorming a solution to rising property tax bills in Colorado now has a full roster as state leaders complete their appointments.

The 19-member Commission on Property Taxation was born out of a recent special legislative session. As lawmakers worked over four hectic days to deliver short-term property tax relief for the current tax year, they also created the commission as a way to address the longer-term issue.

Colorado legislators went back to the Capitol in November after the defeat of Proposition HH, a Democrat-led ballot measure that would have cut residential and commercial property tax rates over a decade. They passed seven bills, including a bill to cut the property tax rate to 6.7% for 2023, another bill for $30 million in emergency rental assistance, and another bill to establish the commission.

The commission’s purpose is to “identify, consider, and evaluate legislative options for a permanent and sustainable property tax structure for the state,” according to the bill’s legislative declaration. That means coming up with ideas that soften the rise in property taxes while making sure local governments and public schools, which rely on that tax revenue, are able to operate.

Colorado homeowners are facing sharp rises in their property tax bills as home values increase, especially since voters repealed the Gallagher Amendment in 2020. That amendment prevented property taxes from rising too quickly, but it created local budgetary burdens.

The makeup of the commission shifted during the legislative process, but the final iteration includes more local voices — there are five county commissioners from different parts of the state, up from the two included in the original version of the bill. People who serve on the bipartisan committee will have substantial influence on the state’s property tax landscape for years to come if their ideas make it through the legislative process.

“The appointments I made to the bipartisan Commission on Property Tax bring a wealth of knowledge to this policy space and are well-aligned with the different needs of Coloradans living around the state, including in our mountain towns and low-income communities. Addressing the rising cost of living is a top priority for Colorado Democrats and this commission is an important step toward making it easier to not only live in our beautiful state, but thrive,” House Speaker Julie McCluskie, a Dillon Democrat, said in a statement.

Appointments for most of the seats were made by legislative leaders from both parties. Gov. Jared Polis made two appointments and groups representing impacted communities, like schools and local governments, made the others.

These are the members of the commission:

• Sen. Chris Hansen, a Democrat from Denver. Hansen was a prime sponsor on the main property tax relief bill passed during the special session in November, as well as the bill that laid the groundwork for Proposition HH. He was appointed by Senate President Steve Fenberg, a Democrat.
• Rep. Chris deGruy Kennedy, a Democrat from Lakewood who also serves as speaker pro tempore in the House. He also sponsored the special session property tax relief bill and the bill from earlier this year that became Proposition HH. He was a vocal and visible advocate for the passage of Proposition HH. He was appointed by McCluskie.

• Sen. Mark Baisley, a Republican from Sedalia. He was a prime sponsor of a successful bipartisan bill earlier this year that more easily allows local governments to provide temporary property tax relief. He was appointed by Senate Minority Leader Paul Lundeen, a Republican.
• Rep. Lisa Frizell, a Republican from Castle Rock. Frizell also sponsored the bipartisan local property tax reduction bill, as well as a bill to create a property tax exemption for charitable low-income housing. In a statement, Frizell said that she hopes the commission can “finally produce bipartisan solutions to this complicated and important issue.” She was appointed by House Minority Leader Mike Lynch, a Republican.
• Andy Kerr, a current Jefferson County commissioner and former state lawmaker. He was appointed by Fenberg.
• Tamara Pogue, a Summit County commissioner. She was appointed by McCluskie.
• Lori Laske, an Alamosa County commissioner. She was appointed by Lundeen.
• Chris Richardson, an Elbert County commissioner. He was appointed by Lynch.
• Ann Terry, the executive director of the Special District Association.
• Bob Olme, the treasurer of the Colorado State Fire Chiefs association and the support services chief for West Metro Fire Rescue.
• Brenda Dones, the Weld County assessor. She was appointed by Gov. Jared Polis, a Democrat.
• Brett Johnson, the chief financial officer at Aurora Public Schools. He was appointed by the Colorado Association of School Executives.
• Cody Davis, a Republican Mesa County commissioner. He was appointed by Polis.
• Guyleen Castriotta, the mayor of Broomfield. She was appointed by the Colorado Municipal League.
• JoAnn Groff, Colorado’s property tax administrator.
• Jonathan Cappelli, the executive director of the Neighborhood Development Collaborative, a coalition of Denver-area nonprofits that provide low income housing. He was appointed by McCluskie.
• Kevin Vick, the vice president of the Colorado Education Association. He was appointed by Fenberg.
• Loren Furman, the president and CEO of the Colorado Chamber of Commerce. She was appointed by Lundeen.
• Sean Dougherty, a former Larimer County commissioner and realtor. He is on the legislative policy committee for the Colorado Association of Realtors. He was appointed by Lynch.

The commission will meet twice per month until March, when it will present its work and findings to the governor and Legislature. That gives lawmakers enough time to pass a potential bill or package of bills the commission recommends. Lawmakers head back to the Capitol for the 120-day regular lawmaking term in January.

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