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• Marijuana tax debate stalls in Colorado

  April 27, 2013 12:01 PM

  DENVER (AP) - Marijuana taxation brought the Colorado Legislature to a standstill early Saturday, with the House giving up and heading home without voting after the pot debate stretched past midnight. The standstill was not exactly caused by the bill to tax pot more than 30 percent, though Republicans were... more »

• Reports Point to Improving Economy on Local Level Play Video

  February 13, 2013 9:57 AM

  Encouraging signs that the Colorado Springs economy is improving are found in an important benchmark, sales and use tax revenue, an indicator of how much money people are spending. The latest results released Tuesday are the best since before the recession in 2007. From consumer spending to building homes,... more »

• PPRTA tax extension passed Play Video

  November 7, 2012 1:04 AM

  COLORADO SPRINGS- A tax extension used to improve area roadways and bridges was approved Tuesday night. Early polling results hinted at a huge victory for the Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority. About 73-percent of early returns favored extending 55-percent of the one penny per dollar sales tax to... more »

• University of Nebraska president apologizes to governor over cancer research center funding

  September 18, 2012 7:02 PM

  LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - The president of the University of Nebraska is apologizing to Gov. Dave Heineman over questions about the funding of a $370 million cancer research center in Omaha. Heineman has insisted that he supported committing $50 million in state money for the project with the understanding that... more »

• Towns now waiting on drilling tax proposal

  May 2, 2012 5:42 AM

  DENVER (AP) - A turf war between Colorado's local governments and oil and gas companies heats up again. A Republican House committee was expected to vote Wednesday on a measure that would take severance taxes from local governments that enact drilling moratoriums. The bill was proposed after local governments and... more »

• Tax procrastinators? Here are some tips

  April 12, 2012 5:14 AM

  Have you filed your 2011 taxes? If you haven't, you are one of the millions. In fact, last year, more than 30 percent of Americans waited until the last week to file. If you fall into that procrastinator category, here are some tips: Make sure you take advantage... more »

• Senior tax break fight already over

  March 27, 2012 8:25 AM

  DENVER (AP) - Colorado's improving economy has helped lawmakers avoid the most contentious debate of the year - restoring a suspended property tax break for senior citizens. Lawmakers learned Monday that sunny fiscal projections mean the state won't have to choose between giving a property tax break to seniors or... more »

• Pres. Obama pushes for payroll tax cut extension

  February 14, 2012 12:30 PM

  After a heated showdown between Congress and the White House, back in December, the 2% payroll tax cut was extended for two months. Now, that extension is about to run out, and President Obama is asking for an extension for the remainder of 2012. Today, President Obama took his... more »

• Holiday sales tax considered for Colorado

  February 8, 2012 7:56 AM

  DENVER (AP) - Clothing and school supplies would be tax-free during an annual Colorado "sales tax holiday" under consideration in the Colorado House. The bill would make Colorado the 17th state to waive sales taxes on back-to-school items for a short period each year. Colorado's proposal would set the holiday... more »

• Free Tax Filing

  January 31, 2012 8:23 PM

  It's time to start thinking about those income taxes, and there are plenty of ways to file. The "Free File Program" pairs up with tax software companies to provide free guided services for those making $57,000 or less. If you make over that, you can still e-file but you'll... more »

• Pueblo college offers tax help

  January 25, 2012 2:50 PM

  Pueblo Community College accounting students will provide free basic and intermediate income tax return preparation service. Those eligible have children at home and make less than $49,000. The service will be available from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on six consecutive Saturdays beginning Jan. 28 and from 5 to... more »

• Medical marijuana industry bringing in sales tax dollars

  January 12, 2012 12:35 AM

  After just less than three years of business in the City of Colorado Springs, the medical marijuana industry says they're doing pretty well. "We're seeing good, steady growth." says shop owner Scott Saunders. He and his partner own two medical marijuana dispensaries in town, including MC Caregivers near Academy and... more »

• Occupy Denver costing tax payers big bucks

  November 15, 2011 7:36 AM

  DENVER (AP) - Denver police say anti-Wall Street protests cost taxpayers more than $360,000 for the first few weeks of last month, and the costs keep rising. City officials say they won't know the full cost until later this week. According to KUSA-TV, the funds were needed to... more »

• Colorado tax amnesty program ends Tuesday

  November 12, 2011 2:51 PM

  DENVER (AP) - Taxpayers who are behind on their taxes have until Tuesday to pay up and avoid penalties under the state's tax amnesty program. Under the Colorado Department of Revenue's program, most delinquent tax payers can avoid penalties and pay half the interest on past due taxes. More information... more »

• Tax Amnesty for Colorado Tax Payers

  November 12, 2011 8:26 AM

  DENVER (AP) - Taxpayers who are behind on their taxes have until Tuesday to pay up and avoid penalties under the state's tax amnesty program. Under the Colorado Department of Revenue's program, most delinquent tax payers can avoid penalties and pay half the interest on past due taxes. ... more »

• Prop 103 defeat will hurt D-11

  November 3, 2011 5:31 PM

  We just finished speaking with Colorado Springs District 11 CFO Glenn Gustafson. He tells is the school district will have to cut about $5,000,000 from the next budget due to Proposition 103 failing. He says until now the district has been able to keep budget cuts away from the classroom,... more »

• $3B tax hike for schools on ballot for CO voters

  October 22, 2011 6:20 PM

  DENVER (AP) - The nation's only ballot measure this fall that proposes a state tax increase pits some defenders of Colorado's underfunded schools against those who warn it will cost jobs. Proposition 103 would raise state taxes for five years to generate nearly $3 billion for the education system.... more »

• Herman Cain stumbles on the political road

  October 22, 2011 9:34 AM

  ATLANTA (AP) - Herman Cain has captivated Republicans hungry for an alternative to Mitt Romney. But the presidential hopeful has made a series of stumbles that have left some questioning whether he's ready for the White House. The Georgia businessman has been on a media blitz since a rise... more »

• President Obama to present debt reduction plans

  September 18, 2011 9:45 AM

  President Barack Obama is coming out tomorrow with his opening bid on long-term debt reduction. But the White House wants to keep the focus on jobs and avoid getting sucked into another budget fight with lawmakers. Administration officials see the task of attending to long-term deficits as necessary, but... more »

• City of Pueblo faces bleak budget outlook

  August 9, 2011 4:52 PM

  It's been a rough economic week nationwide and now there are new signs our local economy is worsening. Sales tax revenues are declining in Pueblo and there are projections the city will have to cut $7 million from next year's budget. Pueblo's sales tax revenues hit their lowest mark... more »

• Taxes or firefighters in Black Forrest

  August 7, 2011 11:40 AM

  BLACK FOREST, Colo. (AP) - Voters in the small unincorporated community of Black Forest in El Paso County could face a bleak choice on ballots later this year - higher taxes, or fewer firefighters? A board overseeing the Black Forest Fire/Rescue plans to ask residents for the property tax increase... more »

• Bruce: Tax evasion charge is "piece of crap"

  July 11, 2011 7:01 PM

  DENVER (AP) - Tax basher Douglas Bruce is wasting no time fighting tax-evasion charges, telling reporters that the case against him is a "piece of crap" and that he's being targeted because he's a vocal critic of government spending. A Denver judge entered a not guilty plea on behalf of... more »

• Gov calls for gaming commission resignations

  July 6, 2011 11:04 PM

  DENVER (AP) - Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper asked for the resignation of three members of the state's gaming commission over their decision to give casinos a tax break. Hickenlooper announced Wednesday he asked for the resignations because of a tax break for the state's casino industry. The tax break took... more »

• Tax revenues up in Colorado

  July 6, 2011 10:48 PM

  DENVER (AP) - The Colorado Municipal League says sales tax revenue increased an average of 6.5 percent across the state during the first four months of this year compared to the same time span last year. The organization says in a survey released Wednesday that 62 percent of cities and... more »

• Mesa County supports TABOR in legal challenge

  June 21, 2011 11:28 AM

  GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (AP) - Mesa County Commission have adopted a resolution supporting the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights in a federal lawsuit challenging the amendment's constitutionality. A bipartisan group of current and former state legislators filed the lawsuit last month, alleging constitutional amendment violates a U.S. Constitution guarantee that every... more »

• Tax Amnesty

  June 3, 2011 8:24 AM

  DENVER (AP) - A 60-day tax amnesty allowing people to catch up on overdue taxes while saving some fines and penalties is waiting for the governor's pen in Colorado. Gov. John Hickenlooper planned to sign the measure into law Friday. He planned to join legislative budget writers to laud... more »

• Government warns of tax return theft

  June 1, 2011 6:02 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - Imagine filing your tax return and learning that someone else got your refund. Someone using your name and Social Security number. It's happening a lot more often these days. A government report finds that instances of taxpayer identity theft have increased nearly five-fold over the past... more »

• State Senator wants to raise taxes for education

  May 16, 2011 1:00 PM

  DENVER (AP) - A state senator is launching a campaign to raise taxes to prevent further budget cuts for Colorado schools and colleges. Sen. Rollie Heath will officially start the effort Monday at the state Capitol. The proposal would raise the income and sales tax rates between 2012 and... more »

• City, county at odds over Stormwater Enterprise

  May 10, 2011 11:43 PM

  The debate between the City of Colorado Springs and El Paso County over Stormwater Enterprise fees reached a boiling point this afternoon after the County Clerk and Recorder's Office released a letter saying the two sides had reached an impasse. The city has had liens rejected by the county against... more »

• Stormwater fees causing controversy

  May 10, 2011 6:26 PM

  El Paso County and the City of Colorado Springs are stuck in a battle over what to do about unpaid Stormwater Enterprise fees. The city has tired to place liens against people who refused to pay the now defunct fee. El Paso County Clerk and Recorder Wayne Williams' office has... more »

• Tax reduction planned for Pueblo property owners

  April 22, 2011 3:36 PM

  Pueblo City Schools will refund some property taxes collected in 2011. This will be done with a temporary rate reduction on taxes for 2012. The amount of the credit will be $1.3 million. "The district feels that the assessed valuation adjustment made in 2008 had an unforeseen result... more »

• Group protests corporate tax loopholes

  April 18, 2011 3:55 PM

  Across the country groups of people gathered to protest tax loopholes enjoyed by corporations. In Colorado Springs several dozen carried signs outside the Wells Fargo Building downtown to draw attention to tax laws that are favorable to corporations. Gatherings like this one were organized by the group called... more »

• Tax pros prepare for last minute filings

  April 17, 2011 12:26 AM

  You've undoubtedly seen the numerous Uncle Sam's directing you to the nearest tax office. It's tax season crunch time and that means procrastinators. Even with tax day being extended by three days this year, many are still waiting till the last minute to file. "The last 3 days of tax... more »

• Douglas Bruce indicted

  April 8, 2011 3:46 PM

  A statewide Grand Jury has indicted Douglas Bruce for failing to pay income taxes on income earned in 2005, 2006, and 2007. The four-count indictment was announced this afternoon by the Colorado Attorney General's Office. Bruce is suspected of attempting to evade his tax responsibilities by funneling... more »

• Marijuana taxes could help Pueblo alcohol treatment program

  April 1, 2011 1:45 PM

  DENVER (AP) - Marijuana taxes could save the day for an endangered drug and alcohol treatment program threatened by state budget cuts. A bill cleared for a House debate Friday sends $1 million worth of sales taxes collected from medical marijuana sales to the Circle Program at the Colorado... more »

• State House eliminates tax breaks for some properties

  March 29, 2011 2:03 PM

  DENVER (AP) - The Colorado House has given final approval to eliminating tax breaks for small properties that aren't being used for farming or ranching. The proposal would allow assessors to reclassify up to 2 acres of land to be taxed at a higher residential rate if the land... more »

• Pueblo's tax revenues fall for 4th consecutive year

  February 8, 2011 7:40 PM

  Bad economic news for Pueblo, the city's tax revenues have fallen for the fourth year in a row. Last year's tax revenues were $40 million, which is down close to $2 million since 2007. The city's finance director says sales tax revenues have remained relatively flat. Worse, tax collected... more »

• Colorado farmers get boost in legislature

  February 1, 2011 8:03 AM

  DENVER (AP)-Farmers and ranchers could be seeing a tax break on insecticides and other farm products. The House Agriculture Committee on Monday approved a bill to waive sales taxes on some agricultural products. The exemption would cost the state $1.3 million this fiscal year ending in June and $3.7... more »

• State Legislators in showdown over "Amazon Tax"

  January 30, 2011 3:33 AM

  Sides are being drawn over the states so called "Amazon Tax". The bill passed by the 2010 Legislature says online retail giants like Amazon would be required to either start collecting state sales taxes, or provide the state with a summary of customers' web purchases. Wednesday, a federal judge blocked... more »

• IRS files more tax liens

  January 5, 2011 11:43 AM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - A government watchdog says the Internal Revenue Service is tormenting struggling taxpayers in the midst of a slumping economy by increasing the number of liens the agency has filed against people who owe back taxes. The IRS filed nearly 1.1 million liens in the budget year... more »

• IRS steps up audits

  December 15, 2010 3:32 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - The Internal Revenue Service is making it riskier to cheat on your taxes. The tax agency increased the number of returns it audited by nearly 11 percent this year. Statistics released Wednesday show that wealthy taxpayers were most likely to be targeted. In all, the IRS... more »

• Pueblo council passes budget, disagrees on spending measure

  November 23, 2010 1:58 PM

  Pueblo City Council has approved $76.8 million dollar budget for 2011. City Manager Jerry Pacheco says in order to balance the budget, the city had to reduce personnel costs. This means 26 vacant full time positions will remain un-filled in the coming year. In related business, council members were at... more »

• Ford wants to hire 1,200 in Michigan

  October 25, 2010 5:41 PM

  Ford Motor Co. will hire 1,200 new workers in Michigan by 2013 if the state approves tax incentives Ford said Monday it will invest $850 million in several Detroit-area plants to build its new six-speed transmissions. Ford plans to hire 900 hourly manufacturing workers and 300 engineers and other salaried... more »

• Douglas Bruce says complaint against him is "frivolous"

  October 19, 2010 7:09 PM

  DENVER (AP) - Anti-tax crusader Douglas Bruce says a complaint filed with the secretary of state's office that ties him to three anti-tax measures is frivolous and meant to scare people into voting against them. The Denver Post reports the complaint filed Monday by a coalition opposed to Amendments... more »

• Medical marijuana tax issue on Pueblo ballot

  October 18, 2010 7:45 PM

  Voters in Pueblo will decide if medical marijuana users should pay an extra 4.3% in sales tax. The city says the tax could be used to help pay for increased law enforcement near dispensaries, but some argue it isn't needed. News First 5 is taking a closer look at ballot... more »

• Half-cent sales tax question before Pueblo voters

  October 14, 2010 2:14 PM

  This election, voters in Pueblo will decide whether to extend the city's half-cent sales tax. News First 5 is taking a closer look at Question No. 2C on the Pueblo ballot. Here's how it works right now: When you make a purchase in Pueblo the city collects an extra half-cent... more »

• Military homebuyers tax credit still available

  October 13, 2010 9:01 AM

  The service member tax credit for home buyers has been extended to June 30, 2011, which means you have until then to close on a house. It must be under contract April 30. This is the same $8,000 tax credit that that caused a rush of home buying in... more »

• Colorado Springs hits new high in pot tax revenue

  October 8, 2010 8:21 AM

  The city of Colorado Springs is reporting a record monthly high of nearly $57,000 in sales tax revenue from medical marijuana. The Gazette reports that sales of marijuana and marijuana-infused products generated $56,991 in tax revenue in August, a nearly 12 percent jump from July. So far this... more »

• Contempt case to wrap up against Douglas Bruce

  September 7, 2010 8:19 AM

  The contempt-of-course case against Colorado Springs anti-tax activist Douglas Bruce is expected to wrap-up Tuesday. There's no word on how long Denver District Judge Brian Whitney will take to decide whether to find Douglas Bruce guilty of contempt. Government lawyers say the father of Colorado's Taxpayers Bill of... more »

• Douglas Bruce contempt hearing continues

  September 3, 2010 12:27 PM

  Government lawyers are continuing to push for Colorado Springs tax-cutting activist Douglas Bruce to give information about his role in three ballot measures before voters this fall. The contempt-of-court hearing against Bruce continues in Denver. Bruce is the father of Colorado's Taxpayer's Bill Of Rights (TABOR), and the... more »

• Backers of initiatives claim voter guide biased

  August 31, 2010 8:27 AM

  The battle over three tax-cutting proposals on the Colorado ballot in November is spreading to a voter's guide written by legislative staffers. Proponents of the measures have sent angry e-mails to the Legislative Council denouncing the analysis of the proposals' fiscal impact. They have accused the council, a nonpartisan... more »

• Economy: Oil cleanup both bonanza and bust

  August 27, 2010 8:19 AM

  An Associated Press analysis finds some places have done pretty well since the Gulf oil spill while others have been hit by a double-whammy. The worst offshore oil spill in U.S. history has spurred something of an economic boom in some communities where cleanup operations are based. But other... more »

• Boulder County residents nix higher taxes

  August 26, 2010 9:10 AM

  Boulder County residents have rejected paying a yearly fee to help pay to repave more than 150 miles of roads in about 100 rural subdivisions. The county says 58 percent of the 5,236 residents who responded opposed the idea of being charged $130 a year for 15 years. The... more »

• Douglas Bruce catches another break

  August 26, 2010 8:28 AM

  Colorado's best-known tax-basher has the government in fits again. Douglas Bruce has been given a second delay in the contempt-of-court charge against him. The Colorado Springs man was in court Wednesday to answer contempt charges after being accused of avoiding subpoenas in a lawsuit over three tax-cutting proposals on... more »

• Aspen schools seek tax increase

  August 25, 2010 4:12 PM

  The Aspen School District is asking voters to approve a property tax increase of $1.2 million a year to help close a budget shortfall. The school board voted unanimously on Tuesday to put the issue on the ballot this fall. School officials say the increase would amount to a... more »

• GOP House leader: Obama economic team should resign

  August 24, 2010 10:48 AM

  In a speech on jobs and the economy, House Republican leader John Boehner is urging President Barack Obama to support an extension of tax cuts and to fire key economic advisers. The text was released in advance before the lawmaker from southern Ohio spoke to the City Club of... more »

• Tanning bed tax begins

  July 1, 2010 7:26 PM

  Getting a nice tan will cost you more green now that the federal tanning salon tax is in effect. The IRS expects to collect some $2.7 billion in taxes from tanning salons over the next decade, but local salons owners are worried that the 10 percent price increase will... more »

• Salons chapped by tanning tax

  June 30, 2010 5:18 PM

  A tax on tanning goes into effect Thursday, July 1. Indoor tanners, who spend from $5 to $30 per session to get that bronze look, will now have to chip in another 10 percent to pay for health care. "These are not people who can afford an extra... more »

• Senators: Obama wants tax on carbon emissions

  June 29, 2010 1:18 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - Senators say President Barack Obama is insisting that any energy legislation put a price on carbon emissions - something many Republicans call an energy tax they can't accept. Sens. John Kerry and Joe Lieberman told reporters after meeting with the president Tuesday that Obama was clear... more »

• Tax refund delays puzzle Revenue Department

  June 18, 2010 1:56 PM

  Some Colorado residents are reporting longer delays in getting tax refunds and it's not clear why. The Department of Revenue can't say much about what's happening because it's only allowed to discuss tax returns with the taxpayers who filed them or their attorneys. The department says that 96 percent... more »

• Tobacco loophole in child health law costs $250M

  June 2, 2010 9:04 AM

  Public health officials say a tobacco tax loophole in President Barack Obama's children's health insurance program is costing the U.S. Treasury more than $250 million a year. The loophole allows companies to avoid huge tax increases on rolling tobacco by labeling it as pipe tobacco. The marketing twist lets... more »

• Two bills push electric car with tax credits

  May 27, 2010 6:29 PM

  Two bills introduced in Congress would provide big grants to cities to set up the infrastructure needed for electric cars and sweeten the tax credits for buyers of the vehicles. The similar bills in the House and Senate are designed to smooth the way for electric vehicles that are... more »

• Woodmen Expansion: Agreement reached for shopping center

  May 7, 2010 8:35 AM

  Colorado Springs has reached an agreement to pay nearly $4.5 million to buy about two acres of a shopping center needed for a street-widening project. The deal was announced Thursday. City Council will consider the resolution at its meeting on Tuesday, May 11. Colorado Springs has been trying to... more »

• Soda, candy to cost a bit more beginning Saturday

  May 2, 2010 11:16 AM

  Satisfying your sweet tooth with candy or soda will start costing a little more in Colorado. A state sales-tax exemption on the items ends Saturday and customers can expect to begin dishing out a few extra cents. Colorado lawmakers approved a package of bills this year that included ending the... more »