CO HJR1023

Authorizes and directs the Committee on Legal Services to retain legal counsel to file a lawsuit on behalf of the Colorado General Assembly in state district court challenging the constitutionality of TABOR (Taxpayer's Bill of Rights, Section 20 of Article X of the state constitution)

Argues TABOR violates the U.S. Constitution's Guarantee Clause (Article IV, Section 4), which requires the federal government to guarantee every state a republican form of government

Contends TABOR removed fundamental legislative authority over revenue and expenditure from the General Assembly and local governments, instead subjecting those powers to direct democracy through voter plebiscites

Claims TABOR nullifies the General Assembly's authority to assess taxes and infringes on its plenary authority to appropriate money for public purposes

References the Enabling Act of Colorado, which required the state to adopt and maintain a constitution that is "republican in form"