The total taxes are the real problem.  The advocates for higher taxes like to claim Colorado is a low tax state, which is true if compared to California, Illinois, Jersey, New York and other totally irresponsible states.  It is not a low tax state compared to it's neighbors; Wyoming has a total sales tax, in Cheyenne, of 6% for state and local, with zero income tax statewide. Lower property taxes as well. Colorado's system is incompatible with simplicity, which is what is needed.  I learned from California to never trust a state with multiple taxes.