Homeschooling Surge and Colorado’s Hidden Tax Gimmicks

On Wednesday, July 20, 2022, Kim Monson explored the explosive growth in homeschooling and the political shell games surrounding Colorado taxpayer refunds with Kim Ware of Christian Home Educators of Colorado and Ben Murrey of the Independence Institute.

The Homeschooling Revolution in Colorado

Start listening at 31:07 – Hour 1

Kim Ware, Outreach Director for the Christian Home Educators of Colorado Independent School, reveals that Colorado saw a 45% growth in homeschooling during 2019-2020, with an additional 10% growth the following year. The COVID-19 pandemic served as a catalyst, exposing parents to curriculum concerns and the shortcomings of government-run schools.

Ware dismantles the socialization myth that critics use against homeschooling. Children in traditional classrooms experience what she calls “flat socialization,” interacting only with peers of similar age and development. Homeschooled children, by contrast, engage daily with siblings, parents, and the broader community, developing stronger communication skills with people of all ages.

Colorado offers three pathways for families: filing a notice of intent with the school district, enrolling under an umbrella school like CHEC that provides privacy from state interaction, or having a parent with Colorado teaching certification. The state requires an average of four hours daily, but that time can be distributed flexibly, allowing working parents to school evenings or weekends.

“The state does not have your children’s best interest in mind. The state has the state’s best interest in mind.”

Kim Ware, Outreach Director, Christian Home Educators of Colorado

TABOR Refunds and Political Shell Games

Start listening at 68:18 – Hour 2

Ben Murrey, Director of Fiscal Policy at the Independence Institute, exposes how Colorado Democrats have spent four years raising taxes and fees by billions of dollars without voter consent, using legal gimmicks to circumvent TABOR requirements. Now facing reelection concerns about rising living costs, they are campaigning on “affordability” while simultaneously delaying their own fee increases until after the November election.

Murrey breaks down the deception in four parts: delaying fees they created, raiding TABOR refunds to distribute tax benefits to special interests, reducing property taxes temporarily after blocking permanent cuts, and using every available gimmick to shrink required refunds. Despite these maneuvers, state coffers remain so full that $750 individual rebate checks are going out before the election, allowing politicians to claim credit for money taxpayers were already entitled to receive.

The fiscal expert tallied $218 million in tax benefits directed to special interests, including $46 million for alternative transit tax credits, energy-efficient heat pump credits, and $50 million for senior housing credits. These targeted benefits came directly from TABOR refunds that would otherwise have gone to all taxpayers. On net, Colorado taxpayers actually lost $46 million despite claims of savings.

“Simply put, they’re charlatans who lied to us to get our votes.”

Ben Murrey, Director of Fiscal Policy, Independence Institute