Just hours before a special commission on property tax convenes today, a bipartisan coalition has submitted a letter that raises concerns about the potential impact of Advance Colorado’s Initiatives 50 and 108 on the state’s financial health.

More than 40 state and local organizations signed the letter obtained by Colorado Politics, dated Aug. 12, supporting a compromise and a limited-scope special session.

The letter states, “We write to address the urgent matter of Initiatives 50 and 108. These Initiatives present a very significant and real threat to all communities in Colorado, and it will impact services provided by the state and local governments. These measures would lead to cuts in education and higher education funding, fire, EMS, libraries, and other important community services. 

For those reasons we are supportive of a compromise and a special session to codify this deal and believe this is the best way to work together. Should a special session be called, we urge the scope to be very narrow, limited to one bill that would implement one agreed-upon deal. This focused approach will ensure the session remains productive and avoids unnecessary complications.”

Lawmakers and political advocates hinted at discussions to halt Proposition 108 and its companion measure, Proposition 50, in exchange for a special session on property taxes and local government revenue. Proposition 50 already qualified for the ballot, while election officials have yet to conclude whether Proposition 108 also turned in enough signatures. Proponents are confident it would make the ballot. 

Although the Colorado Constitution grants the governor authority to convene a special session, the General Assembly may call one if two-thirds of each chamber requests it in writing. This means that at least 44 of the 65 representatives and 24 of 35 senators must agree on the subject to be addressed and notify the House speaker and Senate president.

That special session would have to happen quickly, as the deadline to remove the propositions from the ballot is Sept. 6.

Organizations signing on to the letter include:

• 9to5 Colorado

• Action Colorado

•  Adams 12 Five Star Schools

•  Adams County Regional Economic Partnership

• Adams State University

•  Advent Health

• Children’s Hospital

•  Club 20

• Colorado Alliance of YMCA

• Colorado Association of Health Plans

• Colorado Association of REALTORS®

• Colorado Association of School Boards

• Colorado Association of School Executives

• Colorado Community College System

• Colorado Competitive Council

• Colorado Contractors Association

• Colorado Education Association

• Colorado Hospital Association

• Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition

• Colorado League of Charter Schools

• Colorado Organization for Latina

• Opportunity and Reproductive Rights

• (COLOR) Action Fund

• Colorado Rural Schools Alliance

• Common Spirit Heath

• Colorado State University

• Community Economic Defense Project

• Denver Health

• Elevation Community Land Trust

• Fort Lewis College

• Metropolitan State University of Denver

• Movimiento Poder

• NAIOP Colorado

• Nourish Colorado

• Pikes Peak Alliance of School Districts

• Progressive 15

• Ready Colorado

• Rocky Mountain Equality (formerly Out Boulder County)

• SEIU Local 105

• The Colorado Association of Home Builders

• The Denver Foundation

• Together Colorado

• United for a New Economy

• University of Colorado

• University of Northern Colorado

• Western Colorado University

• Working Families Party