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Release Date: April 14, 2010
Today Governor Ritter signed into law a bill that will help stop the conversion of productive farmlands into shopping centers and subdivisions at taxpayer expense. HB 10-1107, backed by an unusual coalition—including local governments, farmers, environmentalists, local planners and fiscal policy experts—found common ground on an issue that has been contentious under the dome for years: urban renewal funding. Sponsored by Rep. Randy Fischer (D-Larimer) and Sen. Morgan Carroll (D-Arapahoe), the bill passed by an overwhelming bipartisan vote in both the House and Senate. It adds needed reforms into Colorado's urban renewal law by preventing farmlands from qualifying as "blighted" lands in need of taxpayer funding. "We fought hard to prevent urban development monies from being misused to develop rural lands," said lead sponsor Rep. Randy Fischer." Now we can ensure that tax breaks intended to rehabilitate blighted urban areas—like slums or former industrial sites—are used in the right way, and keep developers from getting huge tax breaks to develop farm lands." Colorado farmer and president of Rocky Mountain Farmers Union Kent Peppler applauded the bill saying: "This is a great day for agricultural producers in Colorado. Closing this loophole means that more farms can stay in production without fear of condemnation for urban expansion." "I am extremely proud to be part of this effort to help end the abuse of "blighting" pristine farm land for development, which results in millions in taxpayer subsidies to private developers and has the absurd result of promoting sprawl and actually increasing true urban blight," said Senator Morgan Carroll. Further, this practice has contributed significantly to Colorado's budget woes, as the state has to "backfill" money taken from local school districts. "This is costing the state in excess of $50 million per year, and Colorado simply can't afford it," noted Mark Neuman-Lee of the Colorado Fiscal Policy Institute. Historically cities, which build urban renewal projects, and counties, from which tax monies are diverted for the projects, find themselves on opposite sides of this issue; this year however, they worked together to pass this landmark legislation. "We all want to see smart redevelopment on blighted urban areas such as abandoned factory lands that sit empty due to the need for additional clean ups," said Longmont Mayor Bryan Baum. "HB 1107 preserves this good use of the urban renewal tool, while preventing the abusive use of the tool on productive agricultural lands." Larimer County Commissioner Steve Johnson agreed, saying: "Counties are more than happy to contribute taxes for true urban redevelopment projects that add benefit to the entire community, but too often these funds have been used improperly to develop productive farmland at taxpayer expense." "Urban renewal was intended to encourage infill and redevelopment of blighted city centers into revitalized, sustainable communities," said Stephanie Thomas, with the Colorado Environmental Coalition. "HB 1107 is remarkable because it will preserve urban renewal funds for development that is truly urban, and truly renewal while eliminating the growing abuses on farmlands." |
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