City of Colorado Springs

Annexation of 123 Acres of AF Academy land to expand the tax base and divert new taxes for private development

Colorado Springs Elected Officials: Where they stand
(see larger view here)

Researched and tabulated positions from the current Colorado Springs City Council Members and the Colorado Springs Mayor. Data taken from meeting minutes or media coverage.

$16 MILLION TAX EXEMPTION FOR CRONY-CONNECTED BUSINESS (click for more details)

Note: Sales tax still collected at register, but it goes to developer and business instead of the general fund to pay for police, firefighters, roads and parks.

A new chapter in Colorado Springs cronyism began on February 26, 2019. In the City government’s continued campaign to enrich Nor’wood Development Group via the use of taxpayer handouts, City Council voted on a new city law to simply EXEMPT a business from collecting a portion of taxes. That’s right, if you’re in the right “good-ole-boy” club, you can get the City to give YOUR business a free pass. There is no connection of the reduced tax burden whatsoever on even fake news “public improvements.” In fact, the new retail store will not only receive the special “friend-of-Nor’wood” deal to be exempted from 1% of City sales tax collection with no limitations on what the business can spend the money on, but the business will be charging shoppers an ADDITIONAL 2% sales tax for themselves and their favored developer, Nor’wood. Note that while funding the business and the developer will be guaranteed from every ka-ching of the cash register, the City will not be funded—the business will be exempted from half its tax liability by City Council ordinance and agreement with the handpicked business.

$590 MILLION IN TAX INCREASES FOLLOWED BY $51.9 MILLION TAX GIVEAWAY (Click HERE for more details)

City of Colorado Springs voters approved $590 million in new taxes since 2015 after City officials stated they could not afford to fund the maintenance of City roads or stormwater infrastructure without it. Fast forward to December 11th, 2018. City Council will consider two "revenue sharing agreements" with Colorado Springs Urbran Renewal Authority by which the City will transfer $51.9 million collected as City sales and property taxes to help private developers build a new hotel and build up their development next to the City for Champions museum area. Click for more info.