I have a problem with multiple measures on the ballot this year that aim to tax, restrict, or outright ban certain behaviors.
For the 2024 Colorado election, I am talking about measures such as propositions JJ (retain sports betting revenue), KK (guns and ammo excise tax), 127 (big cat hunting ban), or the Denver initiated ordinances 308 (fur ban) and 309 (slaughterhouse ban).
Often, some of these types of measures are called “sin taxes” because they penalize people from legally participating in certain “unfavorable” hobbies or behaviors.
I don’t hunt big cats, I don’t bet on sports, I don’t wear fur, nor do I eat a lot of lamb. A lot of those measures do not really affect me nor the people I am close to.
However, I am still against all these measures, and I will explain why.
Big government is the winner
First, I want to note that these types of measures are nothing new in the state, nor the country.
Taxes on alcohol, tobacco, and other “sinful” hobbies are common and relatively easy to gain support. Many people think, “better them than me,” especially if they themselves dislike the activity.
These types of measures are advertised as having narrow goals, such as protecting wildlife, creating new conservation programs, or increasing gun control.
However, the one player that always wins when any one of these kinds of measures is passed is the government.
The government receives new funding for often ineffective programs and projects all because people tend to accept raising taxes, if it is not on themselves.
However, social and cultural standards change over time. There may be several habits or activities that are considered perfectly innocent today but will be frowned upon tomorrow.
Once a new special interest is created, it is harder to reform or remove as these entities become entrenched in government programs that do not wish to lose funding.
In the endless cycle of voting to raise taxes on others, it is the government that continues to gain more in both revenue and control over the lives of Coloradans.
Bad ideas on the ballot
Ultimately, these measures on this year’s ballot defy logic: Big cats are not endangered, meat and animal products are critical to several Colorado industries, and increased guns and ammunition costs from taxes will harm Coloradan’s abilities to practice their second amendment right.
The measures come from small but vocal groups who want to stop people from betting, hunting, eating or using animal products, or owning guns.
They have the potential to further embitter the rest of the state toward the more progressive front range counties.
Unfortunately, these types of measures often come from the most well-intentioned, yet most misguided people.
People now believe it is up to the government to solve these perceived transgressions, and government is happy to increase funding and control.
As a society, we have drifted from the ideals of personal liberty and the “live and let live” mentality of Washington and Jefferson.
That is why Coloradans must resist measures like the ones on the ballot this year that seek to ban or tax those “unfavorable” activities.
Our loss is governments’ gain.
Nash Herman is an Arapahoe County resident and fiscal policy analyst at the Independence Institute, a free market think tank in Denver.
