PHILOSOPHY OF
ORGANIZATION
As a 501(c)(4), the Center’s mission remains to promote more efficient government and provides a forum for individuals, small and large businesses, and public entities to have direct input into the public policy decisions that effect their lives. Our expanded focus, however, enables the Center to produce more independent analyses and reports on important issues to the business community, individual taxpayers, school districts, and local governments. This enables the Center to nurture a strong state economy through fair tax policy.


MAJOR PUBLICATIONS
• Annual Updated Research Reports
• Colorado Assessed Valuations Changes
• Colorado Property Taxes
• Colorado General Fund Revenue and Expenditures
• Colorado Teacher and Other Certificated Salaries
• How Colorado Compares: State and Local Taxes - 2005 edition
• November Ballot Issues
• State Government Tax Comparisons

Other publications are in response to needs identified by government and business leaders, the Center also conducts duties on issues such as school finance, the state budget, and other matters of major economic significance and issues special reports as appropriate.

SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Reducing business taxes - reports stimulated discussion of this issue among lawmakers and prompted the introduction of bills to lower both property taxes on businesses.

Funding higher education - The Center studies called attention to the dramatic enrollment changes occurring in the state’s public universities and colleges in recent years. Awareness enabled legislators to make more informed decisions on fiscal support for higher education.

Disparities among Colorado counties - The Center has explored the vast differences in the ability of local governments to generate revenue and, thus, provide services. Council created an index showing these disparities in terms of property and sales tax collection. Index is used by local governments to consider the process of revenue sharing between richer and poorer counties.

Dependency on state income taxes - The Center study serves as a reminder to legislators that they should keep a close watch on economic conditions, especially since Colorado has so many of its “income eggs” in one tax basket.

Funding Colorado’s public schools - Colorado lawmakers are beginning to examine the feasibility of a uniform statewide mill levy to fund the state’s 176 public school districts. The Center believes this alternative way of financing school operations deserves thoughtful examination.
 

WHAT OTHERS SAY ABOUT THE CENTER
“The Colorado Public Expenditure Council and its facts and figures are important to this state. The council’s research helps public officials make informed decisions and helps citizens better understand Colorado’s method of financing state and local government.”
Former Governor Roy Romer


“Tax reform in our state is a virtual certainty during the years ahead. We must have the non-partisan commentary by CPEC to adequately judge the lively and heated debates and tax reform proposals that will impact all of us.”
Barry H. Gatz
Painewebber, Inc.


“We count on CPEC to provide us with reliable information as we develop tax policy.”
Russell George
Former State Representative