Property Rights Under Fire: From Tax Hikes to Eminent Domain Abuse

On August 20, 2024, Robyn Carnes, Taralyn Romero, and Mark Tapscott joined the show. Explained the upcoming special session on property taxes, detailing how Initiatives 50 and 108 pushed the legislature to propose permanent cuts and caps protected by TABOR Updated the fight to save Polizzi Farm from developer-driven eminent domain, announcing new council ordinances that would give Brighton officials authority to pause permits.

Colorado’s Property Tax Special Session

Start listening at 17:58 – Hour 1

Robyn Carnes, Republican candidate for Colorado Senate District 16, breaks down the framework of the special session set to begin August 26th. Governor Polis called the session after Advance Colorado gathered sufficient signatures for Initiatives 50 and 108, which would permanently cut and cap property taxes. The legislative deal would reduce the effective residential property tax rate to 6.3-6.4 percent, down from the current trajectory of 6.7 percent, while cutting commercial rates from 29 percent to 25 percent.

Carnes emphasizes that the agreement would cap property tax growth at 5.25 percent for local governments and introduce inflation-based caps for school districts, protections that would be locked in through TABOR and require voter approval to override. The bipartisan framework emerged only after citizen initiative pressure forced legislators back to the table, demonstrating the power of grassroots accountability.

“When you look at a purple campaign, it means we’re going to push people and policy over party.”

Robyn Carnes, Republican Candidate for Colorado Senate District 16

Polizzi Farm Eminent Domain Fight

Start listening at 34:28 – Hour 1

Taralyn Romero delivers encouraging news from the fight to save Polizzi Farm, a century-old family operation in Brighton threatened by a drainage pipe easement granted through eminent domain to a developer-controlled metropolitan district. A recent court ruling kept eminent domain approval in place but ordered Brighton council members to ensure the developer honors commitments that the drainage project would not harm the farm’s operations.

Council members Matt Johnston, Jim Schneider, and Tom Green are now pushing ordinances that would give the city authority to pause developer permits and impose fines when commitments are violated. The September vote on these accountability measures represents a critical opportunity for citizens to demand developer transparency. Romero, who built a following of hundreds of thousands fighting her own property battle against Jefferson County, urges supporters to attend the meeting and maintain public pressure.

“When I’m telling you that eminent domain is now the government’s favorite tool for using and abusing eminent domain and for taking land from the citizenry under the guise, quite often, of public need, it would terrify you just how outrageous and outlandish cases are all over the country.”

Taralyn Romero, Property Rights Activist

Democratic National Convention Analysis

Start listening at 71:31 – Hour 2

Mark Tapscott, senior congressional correspondent for The Epoch Times, offers a veteran journalist’s perspective on the DNC’s opening night in Chicago. Having covered conventions for decades, Tapscott notes the haranguing, shouting style that dominated speeches from Biden, Hillary Clinton, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a contrast to the more conversational tone at the Republican National Convention.

The fundamental story of this convention, Tapscott argues, is the party’s attempt to celebrate a president they effectively removed from the ticket one month ago. Biden’s relegation to the first night, past primetime, rather than introducing his successor on Thursday, signals the internal tensions beneath the unity facade. Tapscott draws parallels to 1968, warning that protest activity may escalate as the week progresses, potentially overshadowing Kamala Harris’s acceptance speech as riots overshadowed Hubert Humphrey’s.

“It’s really hard to put a happy face on a coup, but that’s exactly what these folks have done.”

Mark Tapscott, Senior Congressional Correspondent, The Epoch Times