FORT LUPTON PRESS S E RV I N G T H E C O M M U N I T Y S I N C E 19 0 6
VOLUME 33
75cI
ISSUE 8
WEEK OF FEBRUARY 16, 2023
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25 , 2020
VOLUME 117
THE SEASON FOR SHARING
ISSUE 48
PUC responds to Polis’ call for utility relief Searching for answers BY JOSHUA PERRY THE COLORADO SUN
Colorado’s Public Utilities Commission on Feb. 8 discussed addressing bill price hikes in response to Gov. Jared Polis’s utility cost-reduction directive, but it isn’t clear what the first steps will be. Chairman Eric Blank said that the PUC has been tasked with a wide range of objectives to ease Fort Lupton freshman Javon Gonzales (11) drives the ball up the court against a strong The Pinnacle defense. The Bluedevils came from an affordability crisis that made consumers’ utility bills 52% higher behind and defeated the Timberwolves 56-51 during their non-league match Feb. 9 in Federal Heights. More coverage on page 12. PHOTO BY JUAN ARELLANO on average in December. Some consumers saw their bills double or even triple. “Among other things, the governor has asked us to identify ways to support customers in the most dire circumstances, improve access to said in an emailed statement. “We and the capacity of the bill assisBY SARAH MULHOLLAND COLORADO PUBLIC RADIO have provided this information to the tance program, find ways to incenInternal Revenue Service in response tivize utilities to reduce customer Coloradans may owe federal taxes to the questions they’ve raised to costs, analyze approaches for on last year’s TABOR refunds. many states. We will continue to limiting bill spikes, and to expand The IRS says the state’s residents monitor the IRS process and be clear public engagement on these issues should hold off on filing their tax on our position that these refunds before the end PUC,” he said. returns until the agency figures out are not taxable.” Blank said he didn’t know how how it’s going to handle the issue. Colorado’s excess tax revenues the PUC would take action on this The IRS issued the directive to resitotaled about $3 billion last year. That directive right now, but they would dents of several states that received resulted in sizable refund checks of continue addressing affordability refunds or special payments in 2022. $750 for individuals and $1,500 for in the coming weeks. Coloradans shouldn’t have to pay joint filers. Normally those refunds One way the PUC can make any taxes on TABOR refunds, accord- would have been paid this spring, progress is driving down base ing to the state’s revenue departbut Gov. Polis and the legislature Coloradans are being told to delay filing rates, Commissioner Megan Gilment. TABOR, which stands for the moved up the timeline to last summan said. Under the current rules, taxes due to issues with TABOR refunds. Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights, goes back to mer. SHUTTERSTOCK a utility seeking to add new infra1992 in Colorado. The law requires Last year, 19 states offered special structure, such as transmission the state to return excess state revtax refunds and payments, accordother states’ checks. lines or a power plant, must first enues to taxpayers. ing to the Associated Press. Many convince PUC regulators that it is Every First United Methodist Church in Fort and the Fort Lupton Clothing Bank provide community “We year havebefore done soThanksgiving, on various occawere meant to provide relief fromLupton Th is story is from CPR Food News,and a nonnecessary. If PUC agrees, it issues members with food boxes. This will be the program’s 10th consecutive year. Above, Joe Hubert, left China Garcia and Sue Hubert with Change 4 Change, sions and through various statutory inflation. Colorado’s TABOR refunds, profit news source. Used by permisa certificate of public convenience methods, ” Dan Carr, a spokesperson though prompted by on inflPage ation,2. sion. For more, and to support Coloanother organization that helps with the food not drive. See more for Colorado’s revenue department, were issued at the same time as the rado Public Radio, visit cpr.org. SEE RELIEF, P23
IRS to Coloradans: Don’t file your taxes yet
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