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Commerce City is moving forward with the unilateral annexation
of over 1260 acres of unincorporated Adams County in our area,
resulting in a tax increase on affected residents and businesses of at
least $3.1 million
dollars per year in property taxes, sales taxes, and use taxes, in addition to new zoning and regulatory burdens
imposed by Commerce City.
Event:
Commerce City Tea Party: Meeting Notice
Time:
6:00 p.m. – Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Location:
Thimmig Elementary School/Cafeteria
11453 Oswego Street – Henderson,
Colorado 80640
(Located just south-west of 115th and Peoria Street)
We have reached a critical stage in the campaign in the fight against
unilateral annexation by Commerce City, and the time for action is NOW.
Over one hundred Adams County residents, business owners and their
employees protested against forced annexation at the Commerce City Tea
Party press conference and rally in front of City Hall on Dec. 13th.
The Commerce City Council voted unanimously last week to deny the
motion filed by our legal team to require the City Council reconsider
the annexation ordinances affecting the 90 businesses, 320 residents,
and property owners in formerly unincorporated Adams County. Effective
January 1st, you have now been annexed by Commerce City, and property
tax, sales and use tax, and City regulations now apply.
The final option
now left to the residents, landowners, and businesses affected by this
forced annexation, and the $3.2 million annual tax increase, zoning
changes, potential decrease in your property values, and increased
regulation and code enforcement that accompanies annexation by Commerce
City, is to file a lawsuit in State District Court.
The Commerce
City Tea Party is confident in its legal strategy, and we believe the
Court will agree that Commerce City has overstepped its authority, and
acted illegally to annex the 1,260 acres without the consent of the
landowners, or a vote of the people. But unless we act NOW to continue
the fight, ANNEXATION BY COMMERCE CITY WILL STAND.
Meeting Agenda:
Status Update from Commerce City Tea Party Board Chairman Les Burch
Fundraising Update from Tea Party Finance Committee
Legal Update from Zakhem Atherton and Q&A about lawsuit, zoning, etc.
Go / No-Go Group Decision to File Lawsuit to Challenge Unilateral Annexation
Press Conference / Rally Planning:
If a majority of Commerce City Tea Party Members agree to move forward,
and only if sufficient funds can be raised to ensure we will be able to
continue the fight against unilateral annexation, we intend to hold a
rally and press conference to announce the filing of the lawsuit to
challenge forced annexation at:
11:15 a.m. – Friday, February 15, 2008:
17th Judicial District Court
Adams County Justice Center
1100 Judicial Center Drive in Brighton
- This is taxation without representation.
- We have no voice in the process or vote on the outcome.
- Our property rights and freedoms are being violated.
- We won’t benefit from the taxes we will have to pay.
- The
tax hike and regulatory burdens will affect more than just 90
businesses and 320 residents — annexation will impact hundreds of
employees and consumers as well.
- Affected
businesses will have to make tough choices about how to cut other
expenses so they can afford the tax hike. Will they be forced to cut
bonuses? Benefits? Jobs?
- Will businesses be forced to relocate in order to stay competitive?
- Will
zoning and regulatory changes prevent businesses from expanding their
current operations, or will it hurt property values and force some
business owners or residents out completely?
It will take time and money to fight this unilateral annexation and $3.1 million tax hike.
To join the Commerce City Tea Party, send your generous contribution to:
Commerce City Tea Party
PMB 149
837 South Kuner Road
Brighton, CO 80601
Unless
you, your fellow business owners, and your friends and neighbors join
us in this fight, annexation will be imposed by Commerce City without
the consent of the residents and business owners affected, or a vote of
the people.
For more information about the Commerce City Tea Party and to find out
how you can help fight unilateral annexation contact the law firm of
Zakhem Atherton at 303.228.1200 or at rcall@zakhematherton.com.
This website is currently under construction, so be sure to visit
www.CommerceCityTeaParty.org often for the latest info on the fight
against annexation, updated news, blog and comment board, downloadable
campaign flyers and talking points, petitions, area maps, economic
impact analysis, legal briefs and strategy summaries, and volunteer
sign-up forms.
Commerce City Tea Party is a non profit 501(c)4 ID#: 20071505244
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