Background
Based on the formula in Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR) laws, the City collected revenue in 2022 above the TABOR limits, or TABOR cap. Approximately $4.7 million of revenue above the TABOR cap will be refunded.
Refund Process & Timing
The City of Colorado Springs has requested that Colorado Springs Utilities, an enterprise of the City, use its billing system to process the TABOR refund of approximately $4.7 million.
Active Colorado Springs Utilities electric customer accounts will receive the refund on their March (March 1 – 31) bill.
*Check if your property is located within City limits by entering your address into the Colorado Springs sales tax address lookup map.
FAQ
Why am I receiving a refund?
Based on the formula in TABOR laws, the City collected revenue in 2022 in excess of the TABOR limits (TABOR cap). Approximately $4.7 million will be refunded via the Colorado Springs Utilities billing system. The refund will be processed according to past practices. A refund implementation team comprised of Colorado Springs Utilities staff and the City Finance was formed to ensure the efficient and effective processing of the refund.
Who receives the refund?
Refunds will be applied to bills for those customers inside
Who will not receive a refund?
Those customers designated as tax-exempt status listed as a charity, government entity or non-profit will not receive a refund, as they are exempt from paying taxes.
When do I receive my refund?
The refunds will appear on the customer bills in March, 2024.
How much is my refund?
The estimated total refund for both months will be $20 per eligible account.
Can I receive a check instead of credit on my bill?
No. Processing the refund via the utilities bill is the most cost-effective method. We will not issue a check for this refund.
Why is Colorado Springs Utilities processing the refund and not the city?
The City has processed refunds through Colorado Springs Utilities in the past including the refunds issued in 2017, 2009, 2001 and 2022.
Why did I receive more than one refund?
Refunds were given based on electric service agreements; therefore, if a customer has more than one electric service agreement (either at one property or multiple properties) they will receive a refund for each of their electric service agreements.
Why didn’t I receive a refund when I own the property?
The City of Colorado Springs will issue the refund to active Colorado Springs Utilities electric customers only, even if the account holder is not the property owner.
What I read is that these refunds are limited to residents within city limits. I live in Manitou Springs and I’m paying for and receiving electricity from Colorado Springs Utilities. Why would I not be eligible?
The refund being issued on the Colorado Springs Utilities (Springs Utilities) electric accounts does not have to do with Springs Utilities revenue or budget – the refund is due to the City of Colorado Springs revenue that exceeded the TABOR limit. The TABOR excess revenue are from funds that have been collected within the city limits of the City of Colorado Springs, so the refund is going out to those who live within the city limits of the City of Colorado Springs. Utility bills are simply the mechanism being used to distribute the refund.
Why under "Other Charges" am I seeing less than $20?
The "Other Charges" summary on the front of your bill combines all charges unrelated to the standard four services that Colorado Springs Utilities provides. Both the 2022 TABOR refund and the flat stormwater fee are considered an "other charge", so on the summary both of the numbers combine. You can see an itemized breakdown on the back of your bill.