Commissioner Daniel updates residents on unfunded mandates
At last week’s public hearing, Commissioner Bobbie Daniel shared an update on Mesa County’s work to address the growing burden of unfunded state mandates. These mandates occur when the State of Colorado requires counties to implement new laws or programs, but does not provide funding to cover the costs.
Commissioner Daniel was excited to report that, so far, more than 30 Colorado counties have formally sent letters to Gov. Jared Polis and legislative leaders, voicing concerns about the rising costs being shifted onto local taxpayers. Each county has highlighted its own unique challenges, but collectively, they are calling for the same priorities: transparency and fairness.
“This really is a problem we can’t continue to ignore,” Commissioner Daniel said. “We are thrilled to see counties across Colorado joining together to tell the state that unfunded mandates are not sustainable.”
Mesa County alone has tracked up to $10 million annually in unfunded mandates. If similar costs are applied across Colorado’s 64 counties, the statewide impact could exceed $361 million every year.
“These costs don’t disappear,” Commissioner Daniel explained. “They come from somewhere, our Sheriff’s Office, our roads budget, our core services. When the state doesn’t fund a law, it means cuts or delays in the local services residents rely on.”
Mesa County’s next steps
- Continue leading this conversation at the state level, alongside a bipartisan coalition of counties.
- Advocate for any future mandate come with equivalent funding.
- Protect taxpayers by keeping local budgets focused on local priorities.
Residents can stay informed by following updates on Mesa County’s Fix It or Fund It webpage.
