Regional
(2010-03-08)
DENVER, CO
(KUNC) -
With the annual April 15 tax deadline a little more than a month away, Colorado's State Treasurer has launched a new interactive web feature that shows just how tax dollars are spent. It's called "Tax Tracks." Users type in their income and the site displays how much of their taxes are used on particular government functions and services. Colorado State Treasurer Cary Kennedy says it's part of the ongoing transparency effort for Colorado, and that the site has been in the works for over a year."People pay every year in taxes to the state. They pay income taxes and sales taxes. And I think it's important for folks to be able to take a look at how their money is being used. What are they buying with that money; are they getting a good value for their dollar?"
Kennedy says the site is the first of its kind in the country. Coloradans pay about $7 billion every year in state taxes. The largest portion goes to K thru 12 education; followed by health care and human services, state prisons and higher education. The Tax Tracks site even allows users to vote on whether they agree with how tax funds are collected and spent.
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