City Cast Denver Taxing the Rich, Retaliatory Redistricting, and Who To Blame for Your Rising Electricity Bill
Feb 19, 2026
Paul Teske, distinguished professor and longtime dean at CU Denver’s School of Public Affairs, explains Colorado’s TABOR fights and a proposed graduated tax. He breaks down a controversial temporary redistricting plan and the risks of retaliatory map changes. He also covers why Xcel bills are rising and the Public Utilities Commission’s role in balancing safety, investments, and rates.
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TABOR Locks Colorado Into A Flat Tax
- TABOR forces Colorado to use a flat income tax and severely restricts state tax increases without voter approval.
- Changing to a graduated tax could raise about $3 billion for K-12, health care, and children's programs.
TABOR Is Multiple Rules Packed Into One
- TABOR bundles many fiscal rules into the constitution, including growth limits and refund requirements.
- That complexity creates legal and political hurdles for any revenue-changing initiative.
Anticipate Legal Battles Over Ballot Language
- Watch legal challenges to ballot titles and the single-subject rule when evaluating revenue measures.
- Expect opponents to argue initiatives combine separate actions to block them in court.