{"id":407,"date":"2025-02-21T11:01:43","date_gmt":"2025-02-21T12:01:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/audiomateria.com\/?p=407"},"modified":"2025-02-21T19:16:05","modified_gmt":"2025-02-21T19:16:05","slug":"letters-whats-the-holdup-on-colorado-tax-returns","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/audiomateria.com\/index.php\/2025\/02\/21\/letters-whats-the-holdup-on-colorado-tax-returns\/","title":{"rendered":"Letters: What\u2019s the holdup on Colorado tax returns?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Tax returns: What’s the holdup?<\/h4>\n

Re: “State to begin processing individual tax returns<\/a>,” Feb. 19 news story<\/p>\n

What’s going on at the Colorado Department of Revenue? It has been reported that the department is not processing income tax returns, even though we are in the second half of February! I was just on the revenue website, and there was a banner that said the 2024 return link would be coming soon. “Please check in late February 2025.”<\/p>\n

I worked at the Department of Revenue (DOR) for 25 years, the majority of which was as a computer programmer for the income tax system. For 10 years I was the lead programmer on that system. I left in 2013, worked at another agency and retired in 2016. Every year from 1989 to 2008, with one exception (2000), we installed the new year income tax changes by the second business day of the new year, generally Jan. 3.<\/p>\n

I was involved in the 2008-2012 project that rewrote the entirety of the tax systems at DOR. We were told that the new system (server-based rather than mainframe-based) would be more efficient and easier to change. I observed the system was faster from my vantage point as a tax-paying citizen.<\/p>\n

What’s the problem today?<\/p>\n

Ross M Mahoney, Northglenn<\/em><\/p>\n

Building inspections crucial from the ground up<\/h4>\n

Re: “Construction defects battle returns with competing bills<\/a>,” Feb. 20 news story<\/p>\n

It\u2019s laudable that residential construction defects laws in Colorado are being reexamined. A key element in any legislation should be making sure that dwellings are properly built in the first place.<\/p>\n

I spent my entire career in the home-building industry in different regions of the country and found that the number one factor in assuring quality construction is the local community building inspector. We are in an era where workers may do some of the complicated processes of building a home with insufficient training. The general contractor, busy with myriad business responsibilities, may assume that work is being performed correctly when it\u2019s not. Critical foundation, framing, roofing and other issues get covered up by other materials. Hidden defects can emerge years later.<\/p>\n

That is why a robust community building inspection protocol, including penalties for repeated inspection failures, is a major factor in assuring homes are built properly.<\/p>\n

Most builders strive to deliver a quality product. Being subjected to the financial penalties — and project delays — associated with inspection failures creates an additional financial discipline to ensure things are done correctly. The results are higher quality homes and happier customers with significantly lower warranty claims and litigation.<\/p>\n

Jim Shalvoy, Castle Rock<\/em><\/p>\n

You should love bus lanes<\/h4>\n

Re: “How will bus rapid transit impact Colfax?<\/a>” Feb. 16 news story<\/p>\n

Who are bus lanes for? People who physically can\u2019t drive? People who can\u2019t afford a car or gas? People who\u2019d rather scroll social media than drive? Diehard car lovers? Well, yes, yes, yes, and, surprisingly, yes. As you drive past a perfectly good lane that you can\u2019t use, it might feel like it\u2019s the cause of all the traffic. But bus lanes get cars off the road, speed up emergency response, and keep people independently participating in society regardless of ability or age.<\/p>\n

People don\u2019t take the bus mainly because it\u2019s too slow. By giving critical bus routes a designated lane, more people will consider taking the bus. As the buses fill, the roads will clear up, meaning fast and stress-free driving!<\/p>\n

Many worry that bus lanes will make it harder for emergency services to do their job. After all, every second counts. Emergency services are allowed to use bus lanes conveniently devoid of traffic. So, if someone in your family needs emergency medical care, they will receive it faster in a city with bus lanes on major streets.<\/p>\n