Annexation opponents look to '06 legislature

By Dan MacArthur
Fossil Creek Current

Opponents of Fort Collins' efforts to annex the Southwest Enclave have found a friend in the state legislature.

District 53 State Rep. Angie Paccione, D-Fort Collins, has introduced a bill to limit forced annexation of unincorporated enclaves surrounded by a municipality.

The proposal is among a raft of bills submitted by Larimer County lawmakers that the legislature will take under consideration when it convenes on Jan. 11.

Paccione said Karen Rose, a resident of the 1,800-acre Southwest Enclave and consultant to the Citizens Against Forced Annexation group, approached her about carrying the bill to bring better balance to the annexation process.

"I'm not sure it's equitable for all parties," Paccione said. "I'm a big believer in private property rights."

The Fort Collins legislator said her intent is not outlawing forced annexations or infringing on municipalities' home-rule powers. "I'm not trying to be heavy-handed," she said. "I just want to make sure the process is balanced."

District 14 State Sen. Bob Bacon, D-Fort Collins, said there's also been much discussion about revising an 1880s law that would enable a private authority to condemn property for construction of a Front Range toll road extending from Wellington to Pueblo. Bacon said he's confident that some sort of legislation addressing the so-called "super slab" will be passed. If not, he believes a measure will be put to voters either by the legislature or opponents. (See related story on page 6.)

District 49 State Rep. Kevin Lundberg, R-Berthoud, said he would carry a bill aimed at more fairly compensating property owners whose land is condemned.

"Just compensation should be based on property values plus other factors," such as future potential uses of the property, he said. "I think we should put a little justice in takings rather than doing what we can as government."

Illegal immigration is another hot-button issue for District 51 State Rep. Jim Welker, R-Loveland, who traveled to Arizona in October to discuss the issue with legislators there and join volunteers of the Minuteman Project patrolling the border with Mexico.

Welker said he supports legislation that would make it more difficult for illegal immigrants to receive state services. He also wants to empower the Colorado State Patrol to become more active in intercepting those who are in this country illegally.

"I don't blame people for wanting to come here," Welker said, adding, "We can't let the whole world come here. We don't have room. They can't assimilate. They don't want to assimilate."

The other big issues predictably will deal with dollars, which Larimer County legislators agree still won't be abundant even after voters temporarily lifted limits on state revenue increases.

"There isn't a lot of discretionary money," said District 52 State Rep. Bob McCluskey, R-Fort Collins. "We've got to continue looking for savings in government."

He and the other lawmakers insisted that they must keep faith with the voters by assuring those additional revenues are spent as specified in Referendum C.

One of those pledges was restoring the homestead exemption that reduces property taxes for residents 65 and older who have lived in the same homes for 10 years or more. District 15 Sen. Steve Johnson, R-Fort Collins, said he would attempt to persuade the legislature to refer a measure to voters that would extend the exemption to seniors who have lived in the state 10 years or more.

With many seniors forced to downsize to small properties as they age, Johnson said, it's unfair to insist that they remain in the same house to be eligible for the exemption. Because the proposed referendum would further reduce revenues, he predicted the measure would have a tough time getting the two-thirds support required in the legislature to earn a place on the ballot.

State legislators wrap up their business for the year by mid-May.