* eliminate property taxes for individuals or businesses that use government-owned property for a private benefit worth $6,000 or less in market value.

Summary and Analysis

Property taxes and possessory interests. Property taxes are primarily based on the value of land, houses, other buildings, and business equipment. Individuals and businesses pay property taxes to various local governments, such as cities, counties, school districts, and special districts, each of which imposes its own tax rate on property. Property taxes pay for a variety of local government services, including public education, police and fire services, roads and bridges, parks and recreation facilities, hospitals, and libraries.

When an individual or business uses government-owned land or equipment for private purposes, a possessory interest is created. Although government-owned property is exempt from taxes, the benefit that a business or individual obtains from using that land or equipment is not. For example, some ranchers lease land from the federal government for cattle grazing. Other businesses lease land to provide a recreational activity, such as skiing or river rafting, or are given a contract to provide a specific service on public land, such as operating a snack bar at a national park. Under current law, the value of a private benefit is considered a possessory interest and is subject to property taxes.

The market value of all possessory interests in Colorado is about $300 million, which is less than 0.1 percent of the total market value of all property in the state. At this value, total property tax payments for possessory interests are approximately $6 million annually. There are about 7,000 possessory interests in the state, which pay an average of $850 in property taxes annually.

How does Amendment R change the taxation of possessory interests? Starting in 2012, Amendment R exempts a possessory interest from property taxation if the market value of the interest is $6,000 or less, which equates to a maximum tax payment of $120 annually, depending on local tax rates. For example, most cattle grazing leases with the federal government have a market value below $6,000, and therefore this private benefit would not be taxed. In contrast, the value of private benefits obtained by ski areas exceed the $6,000 threshold and will continue to be taxed at the full value. In budget year 2012-13, the measure is expected to reduce property taxes statewide by $160,000. Every two years, the $6,000 threshold is increased to account for inflation.

Estimate of Fiscal Impact

State expenditures. Public schools are funded from a combination of state and local revenue. Since Amendment R reduces the amount of local revenue for schools, the state's portion of school funding will increase by approximately $46,000 beginning in budget year 2012-13.

Local government impact. Amendment R is expected to reduce property taxes for local governments by up to $160,000 per year, beginning in budget year 2012-13. Of this amount, property taxes for school districts are expected to decrease by approximately $46,000. In addition, minor cost savings may occur in some counties because of a reduced number of mailings and fewer properties to process and value.