February 13, 2011

The Honorable State Representatives
State Capitol Building
200 E. Colfax Ave.
Denver, CO    80203

RE: HB 11- 1141 – Concerning an Economic Stimulus Through a Property Tax Exemption For Business Personal Property

Dear Representative:

As small business owners and residents, we would like to take this opportunity to voice our support of HB – 1141.    For over 10 years, our members have consistently voiced their concerns to us about the anti-business and job-killing impact that the Business Personal Property Tax has on the businesses in Colorado.  HB – 1141 provides an exemption to all business personal property that is purchased in 2012 and 2013 from the levy and collection of business property tax for the life of that property.  We believe that the legislature’s priority today should be improving Colorado’s economy, with an additional focus on creating jobs; and this bill would assist that effort.

The BPPT is a disincentive to business investment and therefore business development, and harms businesses trying to compete with similar businesses in other states.  In addition to this disincentive to business development and hiring, it also creates extremely high “compliance costs”; especially for small businesses.

This bill would provide a stimulus for companies to purchase business property in 2012 and 2013; which in turn would stimulate business expansion and hiring.  The fiscal impact to local and regional governments would eventually be offset by this new business expansion and hiring.  It will foster a more competitive climate for businesses, which will subsequently lead to more growth.

Let’s make Colorado more competitive and create new jobs!

Thank you in advance for your support of HB-1141.

Respectfully,

Christine Burtt, Chairman

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