County Election Results. There are over 310,000 registered voters in El Paso County. For the Nov. 7th election, the County received 73,405 requests for absentee ballots. 95% (69,141) of the absentee ballots were returned of which 942 were disqualified because of submission errors. Short summary of the results of the Nov. 7th election: 

	Amendment 21 (Taxcut 2000) failed (37% YES, 63% NO)
	Amendment 24 (Responsible Growth) failed (30% YES, 70% NO)
	Tri-Lakes Recreation District Board members were elected and the District was created (58% YES, 42% NO) and excluded from TABOR (53% YES, 47% NO) but was denied mill levy funding (35% YES, 65% NO) and the ability to increase indebtedness (40% YES, 60% NO).
	The Monument Home Rule Charter failed (49% YES, 51% NO).

Proposed Monument Charter (read on-line or download the file)

Taxcut 2000 Ballot Initiative (Amendment 21)

	The Initiative would add the following new paragraph to Article X, Section 20 of the Constitution (Taxpayers Bill of Rights - TABOR): "(8)(d) A $25 tax cut, increased $25 yearly (to $50, $75 ...), shall lower each tax in each tax bill for each 2001 and later district: utility customer and occupation tax and franchise charge; vehicle sales, use and ownership tax; yearly income tax; property tax; income and property tax equal to yearly revenue from sales and use taxes on food and drink other than tobacco and alcohol; and income tax equal to yearly revenue from estate taxes. (8)(d) tax cuts and state replacement of local revenue shall not lower state or local excess revenue, the state may limit local acts increasing replacement costs, joint income tax returns equal two tax bills, and attorneys fees and costs to enforce (8) (d) shall always be paid to successful plaintiffs only."
	The State government web page on this Initiative has the text, title, and analysis. You will need to download and install the free Adobe Acrobat reader to view and print this information.
	The El Paso County Treasurer's office has prepared an analysis of the impact this amendment would have on each of the special districts in the County. View or download this analysis.
	UCCS Center for Colorado Policy Studies Analysis of the Impact of Amendment 21
	Supporters' Web Site
	Opposition is being organized as the NO on Amendment 21 Campaign, 837 Acoma St., Denver, CO 80204, (303) 892-6621 or (888) 413-6621, FAX (303) 825-1442.
	Opponents Web Sites No on 21 Greater Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce No on 21
	Observations: Most Coalition members oppose Amendment 21 because it would probably result in devastating cuts in critical public services: Fire Protection - Amendment 21 would bankrupt many fire protection districts throughout the state, leaving individual homeowners liable for debts on firefighting equipment and facilities. Furthermore, homeowners insurance, if obtainable at all, would cost much more - offsetting tax savings. Transportation - Amendment 21 would eliminate at least one-third of the funding for highway and mass transit projects that Colorado voters approved just last November. Water - Amendment 21 would endanger water supplies by cutting off property tax revenues to water districts that serve many communities on the eastern plains, western slope, and San Luis Valley. Education - Amendment 21 would make it virtually impossible for the Colorado Legislature to fund public education at the rate of inflation plus student growth. The Pikes Peak Library District has estimated that it would have to close all branches and cease operation within 3-4 years.
	Recent Articles July 24: Denver Post columnist Bob Ewegen: Taxcut 2000 Initiative would bankrupt districts. July 31: Denver Post columnist Bob Ewegen: Answering criticism of the the July 24th column. August 7: Denver Post columnist Bob Ewegen: Responding to misrepresentation by the proponents of Taxcut 2000. September 12: Denver Post article: Doug Bruce defends Taxcut 2000. September 18: Denver Post columnist Bob Ewegen: Correcting Doug Bruce's Math. September 21: Doug Bruce's Response. September 30: Denver Post article: Mayors Unite Against Tax Cuts October 3: Denver Post reported that 53% of voters polled favor Taxcut 2000, 31% oppose October 6: Rocky Mountain News article: Governor, firefighters fight tax cut October 8: Denver Post - Doug Bruce gives 21 reasons to vote for Amendment 21 October 8: Denver Post editorial position: 1,242 reasons to vote against Amendment 21 October 15: Denver Post editorial: Bruce Plan Breeds Chaos
	Coalition No on 21 Committee's Flyer The No on 21 Committee of the Coalition is distributing a flyer citing their concerns.  View the flyer on-line Download the file for off-line viewing and printing. The file is about 106 Kbytes and will take about 35 seconds to download at 28.8. The file is in Microsoft Powerpoint 95. If Powerpoint is not installed on your computer, download and install the free Powerpoint viewer from Microsoft. The viewer can be used to read and print but not edit or create Powerpoint files.

Tri-Lakes Recreation District Ballot Measure

	Tri-Rec Web Site
	Rec. District Service Plan
	Say No to Tri-Rec Flyer
	Vince Rusinak's Letter to the Tri-Lakes Tribune