COLLIER: Colorado Dems Just Not 'Built Ford Tough'
"Like A Rock." "Built Ford Tough." "Guts. Glory. Ram." Just a sliver of iconic taglines that have come to represent America's truck industry over the decades. And unlike these pickups that have built Colorado hauling water pipelines across Independence Pass, constructed the infinite number of single family homes across the Front Range, or have brought joy to countless families with hitched-up family campers and boats, it seems like Democrats are content with eroding the middle class even more.
Enter Senate Bill 24-036. Not content with taking more money from each of us, Colorado Democrats have devised yet another tax for us to pay on already highly taxed vehicles. Known as the "Vulnerable Road User Protection Enterprise," the middle class in Colorado’s 12 most populous counties, whose only fault was owning a large SUV or pick up truck, now get to pay MORE for the pleasure of living in this Democrat paradise. Funds generated from this new tax will go toward "pedestrian and bike lanes" in the form of grants overseen by the Colorado Department of Transportation under the guise of saving lives.
Who knew the Blue Oval was on a killing spree?
At its core, this bill penalizes hardworking citizens and non-citizens alike, but adding insult to injury, piles on small businesses that rely on these vehicles. These businesses are already grappling with rising operational costs in the highest inflationary metro area in the country. This tax hike inevitably will erode profit margins, hinder growth prospects, undermine our state's entrepreneurial spirit, and stifle economic mobility. Clearly, Democrats have never run a business in their life.
On top of that, its aim is just to grow the size of state government. As CDOT will oversee the grant program, when will we see "help wanted" postings for grant manager or supervisor to oversee yet another expansion of state government—which, undoubtedly, will tap into the tax to fund a new jobs program?
And the cycle continues of never-ending government growth.
Of course, there's the "common sense" factor. In rural and more mountainous regions of the Rockies, large SUVs and pickup trucks are not mere luxuries -- they are essential tools for navigating challenging terrain and weather conditions. They serve as lifelines for small business owners, contractors and families who depend on their utility for transportation, hauling goods and just enjoying the great outdoors. But that would require common sense.
So here we are, once again, faced with MORE tax increases from Democrats. All with the goal of building a Leftist utopia using other people's money - without their consent. I can only assume the preferred tagline for Colorado Democrats to truck owners: "Truck You."
Steve Collier
Highlands Ranch, CO
Editor’s note: This is part of a series of opinion letters on Colorado legislation written by Mr. Collier, a precinct committee person serving the DCGOP.
