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It’s rare when legislators want to spend more time on the floor of the Colorado Capital, but that’s exactly what Colorado Republicans want to happen. On Thursday, they called for Governor Jared Polis to order a special session. Why?

Two issues, they say, require attention: the rise in Colorado property taxes, and whether murder suspects are eligible for bond.

It is true that the prospect of a loophole that could cause a dramatic rise in Colorado property taxes is looming, but before the regular session ended, a solution was approved. Colorado voters will be asked to weigh in on ballot question HH; which would use the state’s infamous TABOR rule to cover the cost of some of the property tax increases.

Colorado State Capitol and grounds. Photo by Colorado Public Radio

The legislative session runs from January through May; with 120 days of bill introduction, negotiation, hot and heavy revisions, committee votes, and finally floor votes. After the regular session, the governor has the authority to convene lawmakers into session to address specific issues. Polis did this in 2020 as the state was responding to the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This spring, Colorado’s county assessors announced that homeowners’ property taxes could increase from 30 to 60 percent next year.

At the 11th hour, a reprieve was developed, which requires the Colorado Secretary of State’s Office to create a ballot question for voters in the November 2023 election. It will ask voters whether property taxes should be reduced. The same bill seeks voter approval to retain and spend excess state revenues that will be used to backfill some of the reduced property tax revenue.

“Constituents have shared their recent property valuations demonstrating a 400 percent increase,” said Senator Cleave Simpson (R-Alamosa). ”Coloradans can’t afford this huge property tax increase and Proposition HH will not fix this issue. We must come together in a special session to provide immediate and thoughtful property tax policy.”

Polis’s response is that the entire matter is being put before the voters. If it passes, the ballot question would also allow for local governments to adjust local property taxes based upon local conditions.

The second issue, says state Republicans, is about public safety. Senate Bill 20-100, they say, has unintended consequences because it allows for the release of suspected murderers while they are awaiting trial. A recent Colorado Supreme Court decision announced that first-degree murder suspects are required to receive bond. But the original bill was signed into law in 2005 by no less than then-Governor Bill Ritter, a Republican.

“This issue must be addressed now, not next year,” said Senator Barbara Kirkmeyer (R – Weld County). “We urge Governor Polis to convene a special session immediately– we need to get back to work, do our job, and pass a law that stops protecting suspected murderers and starts protecting the people of Colorado. Let’s not give violent criminals the opportunity to commit additional crimes.”

There is no sign that the governor’s office is going to comply with the request.