(1) The general assembly hereby finds and declares that:
It is in the interest of the state of Colorado for the general assembly to act to assist inthe resolution of a dispute between the state, the county of La Plata, and the Southern Ute Indian tribe concerning the imposition of taxes and charges on property and property interests owned or held by the Southern Ute Indian tribe within the exterior boundaries of the Southern Ute Indian reservation;
It is within the authority of the general assembly pursuant to section 4 of the Enabling Act of Colorado to approve special provisions with respect to taxes and charges that the state could otherwise seek to impose upon property and property interests owned or held by the Southern Ute Indian tribe; and
In approving the special provisions set forth in the taxation compact described in thisarticle, the state does not waive its claims, concede its rights, or otherwise impair its position with respect to its authority to levy taxes and other charges on property and property interests owned or held by the Southern Ute Indian tribe except as specifically set forth in said taxation compact and acknowledges that the Southern Ute Indian tribe has similarly not impaired its position to challenge such authority except as specifically set forth in said taxation compact.
(2) It is the intent of the general assembly that, for the duration of the taxation compact set forth in this article, with respect to the taxes and charges imposed pursuant to article 29 of title 39, C.R.S., concerning severance taxes, article 60 of title 34, C.R.S., concerning the conservation levy and environmental response fund surcharge, and article 1 of title 39, C.R.S., concerning ad valorem property taxes, the payments established pursuant to said taxation compact on property described in said taxation compact shall be made as an alternative to said taxes, charges, surcharges, and levies.
Source: L. 96: Entire article added, p. 1705, § 1, effective June 3. L. 2000: (1)(c) and (2) amended, p. 1863, § 83, effective August 2. L. 2005: (2) amended, p. 771, § 45, effective June 1.