The SDA Board of Directors usually tries to remain neutral in ballot initiatives that are to be considered by the general public. However, in cases like Ballot Initiatives 60 and 61, and Proposition 101, the SDA Board must take a position of opposition.

These ballot initiatives, if passed, have the ability to cripple special districts by reducing income from specific ownership taxes, by causing Enterprises and Authorities to pay taxes on public infrastructure, and most importantly by greatly limiting the ability to borrow for infrastructure improvements. In addition, Ballot Initiative 60 would invalidate elections where Districts have voted to overcome certain Tabor Restrictions and would roll expense limits back to 1992 levels. Special Districts were created as funding sources to provide many important community services, and to make infrastructure investment reasonably affordable through public financings. These initiatives would severely impact our districts’ ability to operate.

If you look beyond the impacts to Special Districts, these initiatives are estimated to eliminate some 73,000 public and private jobs in Colorado on (hopefully) the tail end of a severe recession that has eliminated an estimated 85,000 Colorado jobs. If these initiatives had been passed years ago, facilities critical to the State like the Denver International Airport or the new Fitzsimmons Medical Complex could not have been financed. In the schools, class sizes would increase dramatically and Colorado would virtually eliminate any public funding of higher education.

Special Districts cannot spend any public funding in opposition to these Ballot Initiatives. However, you as individuals involved with Special Districts can make a difference by educating your friends, neighbors and business associates regarding the negative impacts to Special Districts and to Colorado State and local governments should these initiatives pass. In addition, as individuals or owners of businesses, please consider personal contributions to the campaign to defeat these proposals by going to www.Don’tHurtColorado.com. This campaign has immediate funding needs as it moves to purchase media time to oppose these initiatives, so please act now.

Thanks in advance for your actions to protect the ability of special districts to operate effectively and to provide services critical to our communities.

—Pat Mulhern is president of the SDA Board of Directors. He represents Southgate at Centennial Metro District.