Ballot Title Setting Board
2007-2008

The title as designated and fixed by the Board is as follows:

State taxes shall be increased $209 million annually by an amendment to the Colorado Revised Statutes concerning a fee imposed on the consumption of electricity or natural gas to be used to reduce certain forms of pollution, and, in connection therewith, imposing the fee at a rate of three dollars per metric ton of carbon dioxide or carbon dioxide equivalent emitted to the atmosphere from electricity generation and natural gas combustion; collecting the fee from consumers; specifying that the fee is in addition to certain existing programs; exempting revenues generated from the fee from applicable constitutional spending limits; specifying minimum percentages of the revenues that are to be spent on the following purposes: (1) energy efficiency, (2) renewable energy, (3) carbon sequestration, (4) pollution reduction, (5) workforce training, (6) technology commercialization, (7) public education, and (8) curricula development; establishing and funding a clean energy progress task force to develop strategies for a clean energy portfolio; and funding a senior advisor to the governor on climate change.

The ballot title and submission clause as designated and fixed by the Board is as follows:

Shall state taxes be increased $209 million annually by an amendment to the Colorado Revised Statutes concerning a fee imposed on the consumption of electricity or natural gas to be used to reduce certain forms of pollution, and, in connection therewith, imposing the fee at a rate of three dollars per metric ton of carbon dioxide or carbon dioxide equivalent emitted to the atmosphere from electricity generation and natural gas combustion; collecting the fee from consumers; specifying that the fee is in addition to certain existing programs; exempting revenues generated from the fee from applicable constitutional spending limits; specifying minimum percentages of the revenues that are to be spent on the following purposes: (1) energy efficiency, (2) renewable energy, (3) carbon sequestration, (4) pollution reduction, (5) workforce training, (6) technology commercialization, (7) public education, and (8) curricula development; establishing and funding a clean energy progress task force to develop strategies for a clean energy portfolio; and funding a senior advisor to the governor on climate change?

Hearing April 2, 2008

Single subject approved; staff draft amended; titles set.
Hearing adjourned 11:14 AM.

Rehearing April 16, 2008

Motion for Rehearing granted in part to the extent Board amended titles; denied in all other respects.
Hearing adjourned 2:02 PM.

* Unofficially captioned "Fees on Energy Emissions" by legislative staff for tracking purposes. This caption is not part of the titles set by the Board.