FC 912 news Bytes August 14

By Dexter Gill

Montezuma BOCC  notes

The last couple of weeks have been pretty routine.  Of some note, the Opioid Settlement funds are being received.  The County by Resolution 9-2024 officially joins with Mesa County and several others in the Suit of the State over the Severance Tax Funds. 

  In the past there have been numerous complaints over “Public Nuisance” properties (ie) trashy dumps.  County personnel checked on several, and found many had been worked on very well, and it was noted that the County had set up a program to help some land owners get old sites cleaned. More to be done.

On the Aug.13 meeting In public address time, it was mentioned that SCHOOLS HAVE STARTED, so watch out for busses and keep our children safe.

  Also Campaigns have started, Plan now to vote, the last primary was won by 3 VOTES due to a very poor ballot return.  EVERY VOTE COUNTS!   On that note, the County Clerk stated that this year’s ballots will go in the mail October 14th., (that is only about 60 days) If you don’t receive your ballot within a week, check in with the Clerks office, it would be good to have a 100% vote this year!!   Who to vote for?  Research the candidates, go to meet and greets, what do they stand for?  What have they done versus what they say they are going to do.

  WHY do we need any more laws? Etc.   SCOTUS Justice Gorsuch just published a book “Over Ruled”, The Human Toll of Too Much Law.  In it he states anyone over 18 has likely committed a Felony, not knowing it as there are so many laws and Regulations, no one knows how many there are.  The same holds true for the States.  Last year Colorado Legislators had to deal with over 700 Bills, ending up with over 200 passing, many will make lawbreakers out of honest citizens.  Sorry, I get wound up. 

   On other BOCC notes, the Atty. Mentioned how the Unemployment Commission’s administrative court violated their own law in a challenge on a case that costs Montezuma County. 

The Dollar General suit  is still moving forward. 

Of special note is the County budgets for next year are going to be revised already, due to an unexpected reduction in revenue of $800 Thousand, due to Oil & Gas projections.

On the ballot, what will be on it?  Here is a little update on what we know so far, it is still being formed. Here is our Gurus findings , only 3 measures have been approved so far.  The deadline for submission to SOS was 5 Aug.  Pending signature review is ongoing for 6 others.

Initiative #50 relates to statewide real-estate tax revenue adding to the Constitution, article 10, section 3, the following:      IF THE TOTAL OF STATEWIDE PROPERTY TAX REVENUE IS PROJECTED TO GO UP MORE THAN 4% OVER THE PRECEDING YEAR, VOTER       APPROVAL IS NEEDED FOR GOVERNMENT TO RETAIN THE ADDITIONAL REVENUE. (1)(e) FOR VOTER APPROVAL OF A PROPERTY TAX REVENUE INCREASE, ANY REFERRED MEASURE MUST BE A STAND-ALONE SUBJECT. THE BALLOT TITLE SHALL READ: “SHALL PROPERTY TAX REVENUE BE INCREASED BY [TOTAL PROJECTED INCREASE OVER THE PRECEDING YEAR] ALLOWING GOVERNMENT TO RETAIN AND SPEND PROPERTY TAX REVENUE ABOVE THE 4% ANNUAL LIMIT ON PROPERTY TAX INCREASES FOR [DATES X TO X]?”

Initiative # 89 adds to the Constitution the absolute right to an abortion and repeals the provision prohibiting tax-payer funding for the same.

      THE RIGHT TO ABORTION IS HEREBY RECOGNIZED. GOVERNMENT SHALL NOT DENY, IMPEDE, OR DISCRIMINATE AGAINST THE EXERCISE OF THAT RIGHT, INCLUDING PROHIBITING HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR ABORTION. Section 3. In the constitution of the state of Colorado, repeal section 50 of article V

Initiative #91 would ban trophy hunting of mountain lions, bobcats and lynx.  Here is the preamble to the 4 page measure.      

      THE VOTERS OF COLORADO FIND AND DECLARE THAT ANY TROPHY HUNTING OF MOUNTAIN LIONS, BOBCATS, OR LYNX IS INHUMANE, SERVES NO SOCIALLY ACCEPTABLE OR ECOLOGICALLY BENEFICIAL PURPOSE, AND FAILS TO FURTHER PUBLIC SAFETY. TROPHY HUNTING IS PRACTICED PRIMARILY FOR THE DISPLAY OF AN ANIMAL’S HEAD, FUR, OR OTHER BODY PARTS, RATHER THAN FOR UTILIZATION OF THE MEAT. MOREOVER, IT IS ALMOST ALWAYS CONDUCTED BY UNSPORTING MEANS, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, USING PACKS OF DOGS WITH ELECTRONIC DEVICES TO PURSUE AND ENTRAP AFFECTED ANIMALS IN PLACES FROM WHICH THEY CANNOT ESCAPE IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE THE KILL. THEREFORE, IT IS APPROPRIATE AND NECESSARY TO BAN TROPHY HUNTING OF MOUNTAIN LIONS, BOBCATS, AND LYNX IN COLORADO.

Here are the six still pending.  I could not find the SOS deadline for approval but it must be soon in order to get the info to the clerks so the ballot can be finalized and sent to the printer.  I will review them in the next few days.

#108 Valuation for Assessments

#112 Concerning Eligibility for Parole

#138 School Choice in K-12 Education

#145 Establish Qualifications and Registration for Veterinary Professional Associate

#157 Funding for Law Enforcement*

#310 Concerning the Conduct of Elections*

Closing comment----What is YOUR Thoughts on the proposed Bills, especially comparing #89 vs #91, ????