Durango School District 9-R told community members through a released statement that it does not receive financial support from the sources impacted by Gov. Jared Polis’ Senate Bill 23B-001.

The Durango School District 9-R Board of Education's statement was a response to a letter sent to the district. The letter referred to the law signed by Polis on Nov. 29 was an attempt to provide property tax relief.

The bill appears to resemble Proposition HH in lowering Colorado’s residential assessment rate from 6.765% to 6.7%. It also expands the property value exemption from $15,000 to $55,000, and will allocate $200 million from the general fund to backfill for education and local governments, according to reporting done by The Center Square.

The bill was signed on Nov. 20, just weeks after Colorado voters rejected Prop HH.

On Nov. 29, the governor instructed Colorado’s Department of Local Affairs to help local taxing jurisdictions in lowering tax rates while also managing budgets and expenditures.

“We remain committed to our fiduciary responsibility to our community and to using our very limited state funds as efficiently and effectively as possible. We are greatly appreciative to our community for their ongoing support allowing us to provide a truly quality education for our students, enabling them to thrive and contribute to our community and beyond,” the board said.

According to Board, Polis sent a letter to school districts across the state on Nov. 29 requesting a temporary reduction in non-instructional bond and/or override levies, such as those affecting capital projects, technology or transportation.

In a letter written to school districts, Polis explained that Colorado residents cannot afford a 20% to 40% increase in their tax bills because wages are not high enough to combat high inflation and interest rates.

tbrown@durangoherald.com