Proposition HH: Fact-checking the campaign claims
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The complex question on the November ballot to limit property tax increases and funnel money to state education is generating plenty of misleading or outright bogus statements.
State of play: Here's a look at five claims about Proposition HH — and what you need to know.
What they're saying: "Prop HH. will reduce taxes for everyone," the supporters at Yes on HH write in a political flier.
Reality check: Misleading.
- The first thing to know about the ballot question is that it will not reduce your property taxes — it will reduce the increase in property taxes, as 9News points out.
- The average statewide increase is 40%, with some seeing much higher spikes. Regardless of whether the measure passes, most property owners will pay more in taxes.
What they're saying: "No more TABOR tax refunds," the No on HH committee says in a campaign mailer.
Reality check: Misleading.
- Proposition HH does not eliminate future refunds under the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights, but it does make rebates less likely to occur and smaller when they do happen.
- That's because it increases the revenue the state can collect under the TABOR cap.
What they're saying: "Prop. HH will create the largest property tax hike in Colorado history."
Reality check: False.
- Property taxes will increase next year regardless of HH's passage. But that's because property values are increasing.
- Proposition HH would actually lower the residential assessment rate from 6.77% to 6.7%.
What they're saying: "The average homeowner will save $600 every single year," the Yes on HH campaign stated on its website.
Reality check: False.
- Unless your home is worth more than $1 million and in a high-tax county, don't expect to save this much each year, the Colorado Sun reports.
- A nonpartisan analysis published in the Blue Book voter guide finds that the median home worth $560,000 would save $377 in 2023 and $496 in 2024.
What they're saying: "There's only one way to avoid [an increase in property taxes]," the Yes on HH campaign says in a TV commercial.
Reality check: False.
- A ballot measure isn't the only option to lower property taxes. In fact, state lawmakers can reduce property rates without asking the voters, as 9News recently noted.
- Republican state lawmakers have demanded a special legislative session to tackle the issue, and a conservative group is behind a ballot measure in 2024 that would lower property taxes. Both are viable options.