While the Gallagher Amendment was intended to address specific challenges at a specific time when it was proposed and passed in 1982, changes in real estate market conditions over time and the voters’ adoption of subsequent constitutional amendments which retroactively affect the Gallagher Amendment have created unforeseen and unintended consequences that are causing significant challenges for Colorado today. Listen to a conversation with some of Colorado’s top fiscal policy experts who will address these challenges and possible ways to amend them.

The continual decline, or as some refer to it as the “ratcheting down effect,” of the Residential Assessment Rate has adversely impacted our communities in many ways. From disproportionately impacting our poorest communities with depressed property values, to rural areas with low rates of growth in residential property values, to the declining ability for local school districts to adequately fund K-12 education – shifting the burden from local school districts to the State. This decline often leads to local taxing authorities needing to increase their mill levy to offset the decline. This opportunity may be limited in areas of the state struggling with depressed property values or with little Non-residential property value, such as rural areas. In this session, attendees will learn about the complexities of the Gallagher Amendment, what it means for the future of their communities post-COVID, and what the Repeal Measure is on November’s ballot.

Gallagher Education Month Session Lineup:

• Reeves Brown, Project Coordinator, Building a Better Colorado
• Carol Hedges, Executive Director, Colorado Fiscal Institute
• Chief Tj Steck, Fire Chief, Elizabeth Fire Protection District
• Leslie Colwell, Vice President – K-12 Education Initiatives, Colorado Children’s Campaign
• Sarah Mercer, Shareholder, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck
• Dee Wisor, Attorney, Butler & Snow
• Joe Minicozi, Principle, Urban3
• Senator Jack Tate, District 27
• Senator Chris Hansen, District 31
• Representative Daneya Esgar, District 46
• Representative Matt Soper, District 54

GALLAGHER EDUCATIONAL TOOLS:
provided by EDCC

• Gallagher Summary with Talking Points
• EDCC’s Gallagher Opinion Narrative
  • Interested in submitting an opinion on behalf of your organization? We have created a template to serve as a guide: Download Template
• Talking Points for Impact on Rural Communities

RESOURCE WEBSITES TO LEARN MORE:

• EDCC – Why Should I Care About Gallagher?
  • Program Highlights
  • Presentations
  • Videos
  • Resources & Tools
• Campaign Website
  • Information on the Gallagher Amendment, Ballot Info, & Endorsements
• Building a Better Colorado
  • Understanding the Gallagher Amendment
  • What is Amendment B on this fall’s ballot?
  • 2021 Reassessment Update
• Colorado Children’s Campaign
  • School Finance Reform
• Colorado Fiscal Institute
  • May Revenue Forecast
  • Video – Gallagher in 5 mins

You may also like the following:

• How has the Gallagher Amendment Affected Rural Colorado?
• Overview of the Gallagher Amendment with Reeves Brown
• DCI’s Big Talks Series: Future of Taxes + Fiscal Health
• The Impacts of Gallagher on our Metro Areas
• PDF – Session Highlights
• Presentation PDF – Reeves Brown, Gallagher Overview
• Presentation PDF – Carol Hedges, Leslie Colwell, & Program Slides