The Mesa County commissioners oppose Proposition HH and decided to have the county join in a lawsuit to keep the tax measure off the November ballot.

Proposition HH would reduce the state tax assessment rates for residential and commercial properties, but also backfill reduced tax revenues for local governments and school and special districts with other revenue collected above constitutional limits.

The Colorado Legislature voted to put the measure on the ballot in an end-of-session push that was criticized by local Republican lawmakers.

Mesa County joined with 11 other counties and the group Advance Colorado in a lawsuit challenging the measure.

“Proposition HH allows the state to retain and spend revenues that would otherwise be refunded to residents under the Colorado Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights,” said Mesa County Commissioner Bobbie Daniel. “This provision takes away the much-needed tax refunds — recently called Colorado Cash Back — from hardworking individuals and redirects the funds to backfill to make the difference.”

Mesa County Commissioner Cody Davis said Proposition HH combines multiple subjects into a single measure in violation of the Colorado Constitution. “These multiple issues need to be tackled one at a time in a thoughtful process and include public input,” Davis said. “This bundling of issues and misleading ballot language undermines transparency and the democratic process. Voters deserve clarity and the opportunity to make informed decisions on each subject.”

Mesa County Commissioner Janet Rowland said Proposition HH faces legal challenges. “These legal actions highlight the questionable constitutionality and complexity of the proposal.”

Daniel said lowering property taxes at the state level — including lower taxes for seniors — should be a priority during the next session of the Colorado Legislature. “This legislation should involve local governments and the public for a real fix to skyrocketing property taxes. Locally, we are working hard to save Mesa County taxpayers money by lowering the mill levy to ease the property tax burden.”