I’m not usually one to get very involved in local or state politics, but this proposed House Bill 1192 is an exception. If you haven’t heard about it, you can read more here. Basically, it is a huge new tax on software that will affect our technology community and every company employing workers in Colorado.

There are several complexities that make it even worse – it is retroactive, it is based on employee usage of software (even if they use a software program one hour a year), and they are planning to penalize companies who do not somehow hear about this required tax through an industry association or some other means. It is so clear that basing a tax like this on the number of employees in Colorado will reduce employers’ incentives to hire/ retain people in Colorado.

Hopefully this won’t pass because it is unconstitutional under TABOR to add a new tax without voter approval, but please voice your concern by calling state officials and spread the word. I just emailed each person on the appropriations committee – it only took five minutes. You can find out more information here on who to contact…