Phil Castle, The Business Times

Three state legislators from Western Colorado said measures enacted in the latest session will eliminate fees and reduce taxes, but only on a temporary basis.

“A lot of things got waived,” said State Rep. Janice Rich.

State Rep. Matt Soper said the measures are intended to make voters fell better going into the election this November, but aren’t permanent. “All of those come right back.”

State Sen. Don Coram said there’s an advantage to sunset provisions, though, in that they allow for the ability to review legislation and make some programs go away.

Rich, Soper and Coram discussed the session during a legislative wrapup breakfast hosted by the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce. State Sen. Ray Scott didn’t attend.

Rich, a Republican from Grand Junction, represents House District 55. She’s running for election to the Senate District 7 seat vacated by Scott, a Republican from Grand Junction who’s term-limited.

Soper, a Republican from Delta, represents House District 54.

Coram, a Republican from Montrose, represented Senate District 6, but also is term-limited. He’s challenging U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert in the primary in the 3rd Congressional District.

Among the measures enacted during the latest legislative session are bills that reduce property taxes for businesses and homeowners and offer fee relief, including fees for starting businesses. Soper said the measures are temporary, though, and taxes and fees will return.

While the Legislature also build up state reserves, Coram said it might have been better to spend some of that money on needed infrastructure projects given the effects of inflation that will make the work more expensive to complete later.

Soper said several of the measures he sponsored were enacted and signed into law. 

One measure creates a website offering free access to every opinion of the Colorado Supreme Court and Court of Appeals. Another measure defines controlled environmental agricultural facilities used to plant, grow, harvest crops as agricultural property for property tax purposes.

Soper, Rich and Coram all said they were concerned, though, about attacks on the agricultural industry and what could happen with future legislation. Coram said he also was concerned about initiative process and would could end up on ballots.

The three legislators thanked the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce for its ongoing role in legislative processes and taking positions in support and against various measures. 

Soper said it’s important to take a proactive role in developing legislation rather than react to what’s been introduced. “It’s really tough to always play defense.”

Coram said its vital the chamber not only remain involved, but also establish relationships with legislators, including those from urban areas who might not be as familiar with the Western Colorado issues.