The CSHBA Political Action Committee (PAC), CSHBA Board of Directors and Colorado Association of Home Builders (CAHB) have diligently researched and vetted candidates running for office and thoroughly reviewed the implications of the various ballot measures to make recommendations that reflect the values and principles of the building industry.  

For more information contact Marla Novak, 719-592-1800 x114. For information on the Colorado Association of Home Builders' (CAHB) election positions check here. 

Printable version of the CSHBA Voter Guide.
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BALLOT/VOTING INFORMATION
Ballots are being mailed, starting on October 15th. 

Voters who do not receive their ballots by Friday 10/19 should verify their registered address at govotecolorado.com.
Voters who don’t get a ballot or need a replacement can contact the county’s Elections Department by calling (719) 575-8683 or emailing elections@elpasoco.com. or visit one of the county’s Voter Service and Polling Centers to pick up a ballot, register to vote, or vote in person.

It's recommended that voters mail their ballots no later than Oct. 31. After that, voters can return their ballots by depositing them at one of the county’s 15 drop-off locations, open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Returning ballots by mail will require 71 cents of postage and must be received by 7 p.m. Nov. 6.

An El Paso County election notice about local ballot questions and a "Blue Book" from the State outlining ballot initiatives can be viewed online at epcvotes.com.
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ENDORSED CANDIDATES
Board of County Commissioners
El Paso County Sheriff: 
Colorado State Senate
​Colorado State House of Representatives
BALLOT MEASURES
Local Information
  • El Paso Co. Public Safety Tax - (CSHBA Supports)
    In 2012, taxpayers approved the Public Safety Tax: a $0.0023 per dollar (point-two-three percent) sales tax that provides critical resources to the sheriff's office. The sales tax is in effect for three more years, but the Board of County Commissioners want to propose it again on the 2018 November ballot. There isn’t an increase in taxes, only a continuance of the same rate, and no decrease in the resources that help fight crime and preserve public safety. It requests voter permission to continue the dedicated countywide public safety sales tax to hire additional patrol and detention deputies, crime investigators and civilian support staff needed to address safety, security and maintenance needs at the county jail, support patrol operations, purchase additional wildland firefighting apparatus and upgrade emergency operations facilities and equipment. 

  • Ballot Initiative 4E Harrison School District 2- (CSHBA Supports)
    ​Harrison School District 2 has referred a Bond Question to the November 6, 2018 Ballot. The total aggregate principal amount of the indebtedness to be incurred shall not exceed the sum of $180,000,000 and taxes increases &16.2 million annually for capital improvement purposes.  Research and a field poll have confirmed that these can pass in November. This investment by the community and the voters in D2 will:
  • Build a new facility for Carmel Middle School
  • Expend Soaring Eagles Elementary School and Sand Creek International Elementary- each to be K-8 Schools
  • Update and maintain existing schools
  • Increase safety, security, technology, and ADA compliance in all schools
  • Ballot Initiative 4A and 4B Lewis Palmer School District 38 - (CSHBA Supports)
    ​    Lewis Palmer School District has referred a Bond and Mill Levy Override (MLO) to the November 6, 2018 Ballot. A $36.5 million bond would provide a new elementary school, convert Bear Creek Elementary back to a middle school, and provide safety and security improvements at all D38 schools. A $1 million MLO would provide additional safety and security staff and training at all D38 schools. The MLO would sunset in 7 years. The cost to community homeowners would be approximately $13 per month for both the bond and MLO for an average home valued at $400K.  The cost to community business owners would be approximately $56 per month for both the bond and MLO for an average business valued at $400k.

  • Ballot Initiative 6B  Falcon Fire District - (CSHBA Supports)
    Falcon Fire Protection District (FFPD) has referred a Mill Levy measure to the ballot to implement a full-service, in-district, advanced life support ambulance service. This will help to improve response times for emergency medical calls and maintain emergency services in order to protect the existing ISO ratings which helps maintain lower homeowner’s insurance premiums.   The voter-approved mill levy would also fund additional firefighter/EMTs for each staffed fire station district wide.  The estimated tax impact of Issue 6B is $3.76 per month per $100,000 of a home’s actual value. For those who qualify and apply for the Colorado Senior Property Tax Exemption, the tax impact would be
    lower. 
 
  • Town of Monument - The Town of Monument Special Election will be held as a coordinated election on Tuesday, November 6, 2018. The Election will be conducted via mail ballot. There is one Trustee position and three candidates running.  The CSHBA Political Action Committee voted not to take a formal position in this race.
State of Colorado
  • Proposition 109 - (CSHBA Supports) 
    Would authorize bonds for transportation projects and direct the General Assembly to use existing revenues to issue $3.5 billion in bonds. This measure, dubbed "Fix Our Damn Roads."   

    ​CSHBA supports Proposition 109 since it would not disrupt Colorado Springs’ voter-approved Issue 2C, which generates about $50 million per year for 5 years for local road improvements. Proposition 109 instead directs bonding revenue to a set list of highway, road and bridge improvements, with several projects in the Pikes Peak and southern Colorado regions. The major projects include Interstate 25 widening from Monument to Castle Rock, I-25 intersection improvements in the Springs, and U.S. Highway 24 from I-25 to Woodland Park.
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  • Proposition 110 –(CSHBA Opposes) 
    ​    Transportation Funding - $0.62 state sales and use tax increase.  Raises $366MM in FY 17-18 and $766 MM in FY 19-20.  Allows CDOT to bond up to $6B over a 20-year term.

    CSHBA has decided to oppose Proposition 110
    because of the impact to the Colorado Springs Issue
    2C, the local ballot measure passed in 2015 which
    raised city sales tax $0.62 to generate at least $50
    million per year for local roads for 5 years. According
    to Mayor John Suthers, the additional state sales tax
    would push Colorado Spring’s local sales tax too high,
    and Council would likely not seek a renewal after its
    expiration. However, Proposition 110 is estimated to
    only provide up to $20 million for Colorado Springs,
    if passed, meaning that the city could eventually lose
    $30 million or more annually to address local roads.
    It should be noted that the Colorado Association
    of Homes Builders has endorsed this proposition
    because of the greater statewide benefit. 
 
  • Proposition 112 – (CSHBA Opposes)
    ​    O&G Setbacks – 2,500 ft. setback for O&G development from any occupied structure or “vulnerable area.”  The measures text is silent on the issue of reverse setbacks – whether homes can be built within 2,500 ft. of existing O&G Development.  But reverse setbacks should be considered a concern with implementation of the initiative if it passes. 

    The home building industry has taken part in several
    rule making efforts that have established the state
    of Colorado’s oil and gas regulations, which are
    considered some of the toughest in the nation. These
    regulations include setbacks to address the impact
    of energy operations on communities. Proposition
    112 unnecessarily changes those rules. In addition,
    according to economic studies, Proposition 112’s
    2,500 setback would effectively ban oil and gas
    production in much of Colorado, crippling one of our
    state’s most important job providers.
 
  • Amendment Y and Z – (CSHBA Supports) Congressional and Legislative Redistricting. Both measures are designed to create clear criteria for map-drawing and prohibitions on gerrymandering by creating independent commissions with balanced representation from all political parties, including unaffiliated voters.  Independent commissions are directed to maximize competitive districts. 

    Amendments Y and Z are necessary due to years of
    highly partisan and politicized redistricting processes
    for both Congressional and legislative districts. Y and
    Z mark a true attempt by bipartisan legislators and
    statewide community leaders to work together to
    create a less partisan structure to draw and approve
    maps, as required every 10 years in Colorado just after
    the U.S. Census.
  • Amendment 73 - (CSHBA Opposes)
    ​    Funding for Public Schools- Qualified for the ballot with an estimated 130,000 valid signatures, is under review by the CAHB GAC. This measure seeks to amend the state Constitution, meaning that it must receive a super-majority of 55 percent voter support to be enacted. This "hurdle" was put in place by the passage of 2016's Raise the Bar Amendment and should present a challenge to Amendment 73's success. The GAC will determine CAHB's position on this measure in September. Amendment 73 is a significant tax increase, estimated at $1.6 billion in new revenue in FY2019-20, to fund public education and teacher salaries across Colorado.
    ​The measure's details include:
    • Increasing the corporate income tax rate from 4.63 percent to 6 percent.
    • Increasing the personal income tax rate from 4.63 percent to between 5 percent and 8.25 percent for people earning more than $150,000. The highest tax rate would be paid by people earning $500,000 or more.
    • Setting the residential property assessment rate at 7 percent for schools, lower than it is now but higher than it is predicted to be in 2019 at 6.11 percent.
    • Setting the non-residential property assessment rate at 24 percent for schools, less than the current 29 percent.

      CSHBA opposes Amendment 73 since it is a
      significant tax increase that could negatively impact taxpayers and the Colorado economy. CSHBA believes that changes to Gallagher should not be done piecemeal and that all local government entities should be treated equally, including special and metro districts that are important to development. Additionally, 73’s income tax hikes will hurt small businesses, since many Coloradans, including many of CSHBA’s members, form their companies as LLCs and S-corps that pay their business’ taxes through individual returns. These entities could be faced with paying a higher percentage of their income in taxes if 73 is enacted.
   
  • Amendment 74 (CSHBA Opposes) 
    ​Just Compensation – Includes in Colorado’s Constitution that just compensation must be given for the reduction in fair market value due to a law or regulation.

    CSHBA opposes Amendment 74, the Just
    Compensation for Reduction in Fair Market Value
    measure, primarily because of the potential
    for unintended consequences in land-use and
    zoning decisions by local governments. Many
    local governments may choose inaction on land use
    decisions because of 74’s fiscal impacts to
    communities. Land-use planning can be
    complicated enough without the unknowns posed
    by Amendment 74.