2023 Coordinated Ballot – Chamber Takes Positions on Local and State Issues

The November 2023 ballot will include two state issues while the Fort Collins City Council has placed five items on the November 7, 2023 ballot. The state issues relate to Property Taxes and Retaining Taxes on Cigarettes, Tobacco & Other Nicotine Products while the local issues relate to Limits of Holding Council Office, Relating to Referendum & Petition Requirements, Requirements that Certain Employees Live in FC, a New .50% Sales Tax to Fund Parks, Climate & Transit and a New 3 Mill Property Tax to Fund Affordable Housing. Three of the issues will change our City Charter.

After in-depth review by staff, the Local Legislative Affairs Committee (LLAC), the Northern Colorado Legislative Alliance (NCLA) and the Board, the Fort Collins Area Chamber has elected to take positions on two of the issues encouraging a no vote on State Proposition HH and a no vote on the new Fort Collins .50% Sales Tax to Fund Parks, Climate & Transit. Both of these ballot issues were created in the last moments of opportunity and, unfortunately, have unintended consequences and impact that is counter-productive to our economic vitality.

The Board, in recommending a no vote, acknowledged that the topics considered in both ballot issues are tremendously appropriate for today’s challenges, but simply don’t fully address the challenges and were poorly designed with limited input and community conversation.

Learn more about the Chamber positions here: https://fortcollinschamber.com/november-7-2023-election-issues/. As well, the Chamber has posted several thoughtful resources on the site, providing a variety of insights to help voters be well informed. Ballots will be mailed to registered voters the week of October 16.