Found a PIF on your receipt? Here's where that money is going

Steve On Your Side looked into the Public Improvement Fees that have popped up on store receipts around Colorado.
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[@blacksquirrel4008]

The dishonesty is calling it a “Public” improvement fee. It is, without a doubt, a PRIVATE improvement fee.

[@rondaallen7211]

right! i'm trying to figure out how a private fee can be charged to the public!

[@Yowzoe]

A *PIF* is a wealth transfer to rich aholes.

[@iWillProbablyDieOnTwoWheels]

​@@rondaallen7211 How hard are you trying?

[@KOSAMAGAMES]

@@rondaallen7211corporations do this all the time, but as the public becomes more uneducated they’re just going straight for it now. No need for private affairs and political manipulation behind the scenes. Loss leading businesses proved the public will destroy their local economy to save a few bucks and convenience. Then just Jack up the prices when competition is gone. Amazon, KZbin, streaming, Uber , food delivery. We accepted their “disruption”, even when we know it’s unsustainable. Since we’re that easy to prey with little pushback, I’d argue every big box store can do this, and similarly Amazon may soon too.

[@msromike123]

No it's not actually. It really is for improvements for access to the development, like roads, traffic signals, keeping parking lot surfaced and painted, landscape watered etc. Just remember this used to all be done by giving tax breaks to the developer in order for them to be able to profitably develop. It's a genius move by Lakewood and other communities. Raise taxes without calling it taxes. Consumers/tax payers still pay one way or the other. As far as a development being beneficial, you can shop in run down strip malls or in Belmar. Nothing is free and the only people that actually pay for things are the ones that earn a private sector paycheck.

[@joe_schmoe_420]

A private tax shouldnt be enforceable and should be grounds for a lawsuit

[@CL-lo3xr]

CLASS ACTION. I'M IN.

[@shupichii9647]

Sure, head over to Russia or China. x'D Capitalism says dont buy there if you disagree with their business methods. Also, its a surcharge not a tax. Government is required to impose for it to be a tax.

[@AshiStarshade]

It is a voluntary exchange. You see the bill before paying. Not like adding a fee after eating that you were not warned about.

[@Santor-]

That's right. I too add a surcharge to my salary for the hassle of the transaction with the company employing me, that's totally reasonable.

[@alexandraw6264]

@@shupichii9647 It’s ridiculous that y’all consider the most common sense pro-consumer pro-working class regulation to be communism now. For capitalism to function in a way that doesn’t completely screw over the working class, laws like this that prevent regular people from being nickel-and-dimed are necessary. Look around the world at the capitalist countries with the highest standards of living, and look back into American history, to see that common denominator in where and when the middle and working classes have prospered. Unfettered libertarianism is a logically flawed ideology that does not work in practice. I swear some of y’all act like you want our country to be full of homeless people and trash with how against doing anything to actually fix these problems you are. Not to mention simping for people who have more money than you could earn in one hundred lifetimes. You will never be them. Have the self respect to act in your own material interests, instead of theirs. Why are you so fine with the PIF charge but hate actual taxes? Both are taking away your hard earned money. Our taxes should be used in ways and for things that actually improve the lives of the people who pay them (and that said people consent to) but obviously, they usually are not- they go to line the pockets of corrupt politicians and the wealthy donors who control them. PIF skips the extra steps. Why is it my responsibility to pay for that? That should be a cost of doing business for developers, as it has been for most of American history. Yes, it technically is a voluntary exchange. In many cases, that massive corporate store put all the other options out of business, because they couldn’t compete, so there is nowhere else I can choose to take my business. That’s a free market solution, but it isn’t the only one. America was great when the middle class could own their own smaller businesses, keeping more money circulating within their own communities. What we have now isn’t inevitable, it is the result of dismantling the laws that enabled the middle class to exist in the first place. Sorry I know you didn’t actually say most of that and very well might not believe it, it’s not personal, just a frustrated rant.

[@Sasquatchadventures1]

Illegally stealing money without people's consent. Time for lawsuits

[@ralphpeed3596]

Just like the IRS. Also the government in general.

[@Sasquatchadventures1]

@ralphpeed3596 yep I wish would stand up like our forefathers. The revolted over a tea tax.

[@sandtoy11510]

Lawsuit? You’re just spending dollars to save dimes… good luck w/that

[@DadCanFixAnything]

​@@sandtoy11510That is literally the purpose of class action lawsuits.

[@pbro4567]

I'm going to guess they have a little sign at the front of the store window that nobody thinks to look for that notifies customers and that is their legal obligation satisfied. If not, sue 'em.

[@IShallCallHimTaders]

Because it's random in the %, it sounds like an unregulated sales tax. WHICH IS ILLEGAL.

[@markkostka6897]

@@username-mc7jw AHAHAHAHAHA. Good try troll. That is what I expect from MAGA trolls. At least you can get a nice pat from Boeby after you have your money stolen from you with no documentation of where it actually goes to a private company.

[@talkingthetalk3640]

​@@username-mc7jw wrong fascist, these are done by rich corporations run by Republicans.

[@beetee5414]

This should be illegal stealing by Deception

[@TheSiriusEnigma]

It is illegal. They have to increase the sale price itself, not add it after the sale.

[@alanadasm5409]

It is illegal

[@rodmena3404]

It probably is but they don't care

[@charlesyoung7436]

The acronym is wrong. It is actually a "Private Improvement Fee."

[@acemarcola]

Junk fees are illegal in Minnesota. Pretty much a cut and paste job if anybody knows a congressman that wants votes from both parties😂

[@jillclarke7264]

Improving your property is a cost of doing business. This needs to be made criminal.

[@1014p]

Ok the same can be said for small businesses writing off costs/losses each year. You know those expenses and possible business loss is expected. Yet they write it off, sweet deal corporation basically pay no taxes even to local city for existing. Mean while small shops do.

[@annep.1905]

@@1014p Large Corporations also write these off on their tax returns. PIF would be like small businesses adding a 2% fee so they can buy a new car sooner, or plant a garden on their terrace.

[@user-qk1cx6gs2z]

It is criminal. The chargd is theft.

[@cremebrulee4759]

Exactly.

[@craigpennington1251]

@@1014p Yes, fare is fare. Big or small.

[@GrantOakes]

Federal Trade Commission should investigate this practice and either OUTLAW it outright or require businesses that collect it to post the fee in a VERY conspicuous place!

[@LONESTARINDIE]

Our govt is way too gummed up by corruption to do ANYTHING that helps we the people

[@havable]

The Supreme Maga Court just outlawed the FTC didn't they? Wasn't it because they wanted stuff like this to happen constantly?

[@jamesplotkin4674]

If a business doesn't let the consumer know before the sale that there's this fee, it should be illegal.

[@sydney.g.sloangammagee8181]

When I go into a gas station or fast food grocery stop - I have to ask for a receipt . . . they just assume you don't want your receipt. Everybody just TRUSTS everybody & business, don't ya know!!!

[@chip6954]

My local Bass Pro had a PIF on my receipt, told me it was not their choice, that it was forced on them. I don't care who is behind it, between the principle of the matter, the $2500 item I had just bought, the non-disclosure before my purchase, and that I don't live in the immediate area, I immediately got a refund, jumped on my phone, ordered it online for in-store pickup evading the PIF, and still left with my item. Screw 'em all!!.

[@faithwalker5196]

You are a genius.

[@What.The.Fluff.]

😎👍

[@tanman99]

Well played!!! Love it!

[@Wisepati]

Yes, I don’t think it is an option for the businesses because it would be the developer that owns the building building and the property that is forcing it. People need to go after those developers who are evil anyway.. they destroy beautiful old buildings to make a profit and fill in wetlands and destroy woodlands and wildlife. They don’t build the type of housing that people need, but instead, these big awful monstrosities that no one can afford.

[@TylerShacklefordDurden]

Bravo sir

[@christianwolf68]

PIF businesses are the ones that should be boycotted

[@craigpridemore7566]

That fee is as dishonest as can be. Yep, boycott sounds good.

[@billtate6962]

I agree 100%....unless ALL the businesses in an area are ALL like that....then it just seems like an illegal tax....I had a favorite restaurant I stopped going to because they started adding 4% to the bill to help employees with insurance....but I'm seeing that type of crap pop up in MANY restaurants now.

[@NancyCassidy-cl2fu]

Good luck with that, unfortunately.

[@waltbroedner4754]

Is government CORRUPTION. Government bureacratic puppets doing the bidding of those that have government access from behind the curtain. AGAINST US!!!!! Mark Twain: "If voting made any difference they would not let us do it".

[@trsdarrin]

Outrageous

[@TheArchitectOfDreams]

A Private Company requiring a Public Improvement Fee be paid? This sounds criminal.

[@nfr333]

sounds liberal, oh wait that is the same thing

[@samanthak1449]

sounds like facism

[@XMetalMatter]

Sounds like conservatives to me.

[@SyntheticStuntMan]

@@XMetalMatter you sound like an idiot to me

[@Tastefuls]

sounds like capitalism

[@hagakuru]

This needs to be stopped before it spreads to every business across the Nation. Developers getting the bright idea that they can charge the consumer, rather than deducting property improvements and upgrades from the tenant fee the receive.

[@TMACinCity]

Improvements, Changes, Repairs....That's all part of the overhead. That should be part of their business plan. That is very deceitful.

[@xyz12345457]

It looks like it is limited to Colorado for now.

[@nfr333]

jimmy crack corn, liberal problem

[@genxx2724]

You mean BUDGETING FOR maintenance and improvements from the rent they receive.

[@jazzmoos5382]

This can also happen at restaurant takeouts. I’ve seen oddball charges on my receipt after ordering and picking up food. And that doesn’t count the automatic tipps they put in there by default. Always pay attention BEFORE you pay the bill.

[@user-sl8rt4pk5y]

Time for a class action lawsuit. This is robbery.

[@HingleMacCringleberry]

Class action lawsuits only help lawyers and don’t work bc once divided every plaintiff gets maybe a few bucks and for the many people don’t bother any unclaimed money goes back to the company.

[@bradleygermain6288]

They make 10 billion while getting fined 2.5 million. Class-action lawsuits are scams themselves.

[@aaron-dd5zr]

We will all get .03 each

[@MrPoopyButthoIe]

​@aaron-dd5zr doesn't matter. Collectively they're getting 100,000s

[@kritsadventures]

As long as they have to pay out every penny they made plus attorney costs, I'm happy. ​@@aaron-dd5zr

[@GTMemes2]

Taxation without representation Is unconstitutional Taxation is not for financing developers

[@MikeGreenwood51]

You have represention.

[@herculesbrofister265]

It's not a tax, it's a fee. No different than a vending machine adding 10 cents to a price because you pay with a card. If you don't like it, share this story and write your legislatures.

[@Bronson2024]

Your local council person approved this fee. Be careful how you vote!

[@johnsmith1953x]

Don't hate the player, hate the game peasant. Hahahaaa!!

[@valdivia1234567]

Then next time you vote in your state and local elections, vote for people will try to write legislation to get rid of PIFs.

[@pat4005]

Property Improvement (because that is what it is), is supposed to be paid for out of their PROFIT from sales, not an additional fee per item when you shop!

[@genxx2724]

🎯

[@alanhovenic8678]

Sounds like a sneaky way to steal money

[@killjoy48]

more like they’re stealing your money then charging you to do so.

[@FighterFlash]

Sounds like shoplifting is gonna go up

[@smartwatchonpluto]

Taxation without representation 😂

[@ericswain4177]

You think ? I will be looking for the PIF and no longer buy-toes items etc...and likely from that store. SPREAD THE WORD !

[@katiesioux7757]

💯🎯

[@kevingilchrist3188]

The company should pay for their own improvements. Not the customers. . We pay enough.

[@amylyn722]

You already pay for improvements by purchasing overpriced merchandise 😢

[@MamaMOB]

​@@amylyn722yeah that's called profit. That's what they're supposed to be using to pay for this. Not charging us an extra fee on top of it. Duh!

[@gizzyguzzi]

Now do tipping!

[@gizzyguzzi]

Do you pay tips?

[@cdmalcolm2524]

Yup. They are not part of the local government to implement improvements to infrastructure. That’s a private property. They are trying to normalize HOA mentality to customers. So no.

[@pjbiggleswerth8903]

"WE did coke deals all over town" 9 news this is your best reporter.

[@ivannatinkle]

"We tried to find coke at this Whole foods" also had me

[@dieseldragon6756]

* _Sound of door being kicked-in by a team of police officers..._ * 🦶💥🚪😉

[@felixthecat9347]

Not it's not, is the PIF only being charged on coke or is it being charged on all products. That's called reporting.

[@IAMTHEMAN69420]

'do your own coke deals'🤣

[@theawesomeoone6]

@@felixthecat9347 I mean, if you watch the video they give you a product that’s not a Coca-Cola that has the charge on it. They did their job. You just didn’t do yours and pay attention to the video.

[@MrZeke701]

Another way to rip us off!

[@damham5689]

They should be made to post this fee so customers can decide if they want to pay it first. Its not a govt tax, its a corporate fee thats not disclosed until post transaction. Should be illegal.

[@freedomlvr88.]

@@damham5689 just bc it doesn't go to govt doesnt mean its not a tax. if we're forced to pay, we should own stock.

[@johnsmith1953x]

@@damham5689 It IS illegal. Until the CEO ends up in prison for 15-19 years, this will NOT CHANGE.

[@thesoundsmith]

ONLY IF YOU PAY IT. Pay cash and refuse to pay the fee. Let 'em call the cops, you have paid the retail price and all TAXES. Confront the developers in their lair. Bring LOTS of friends. I will not live under a HOA and I will not SHOP under one either.

[@okigi-wo5zm]

Support small businesses.

[@OkieTeacher918]

This reporter’s puns are next level hilarious! 😂

[@wheresnowbandspersist3398]

"We did coke deals across town" did it for me 😆

[@Mobus_]

Property improvement should come from profits, not a separate tax.

[@bluemyst42]

I mean, if people are willing to pay it then it is profit. Is it moral? Questionable at best. But as far as the business is concerned, its just profit.

[@ab2tract]

inflation heard its name being called...the shit just costs more...blame someone else other than the store you are buying from...if its a new line on the receipt blame the store? you wanna lose your mind look up "surveillance pricing"

[@xcurrentbreeze6626]

​@@ab2tract The greediness of business, including stores, is what's leading to these insanely high prices. So they do deserve some of the blame.

[@OpenCarryUSMC]

By definition property improvements are a cost of doing business. They are accounted for (deducted) BEFORE taxable income is determined just like the cost of goods sold is deducted from the total revenue before paying taxes. ALL expenses whether equipment acquisition, maintenance, property improvements or maintenance, utility bills, cost of goods sold, property taxes, etc are deducted from annual sales (revenue) to determine taxable income. After taxes are paid you’re left with profit. This PIF BS is going in and any expenditures it’s used for is going out, long before the profit is determined. So it’s not going to come out of the corporate profit. It IS going to be passed on to the consumer one way or another. Remove the PIF and the tenants rent will be increased resulting in their costs going up and this their prices will rise accordingly.

[@scottfirman]

Taxation without representation. This is ILLEGAL. Why are WE paying for improvements on a corporate business. People need to WAKE UP! It is time to boycott these businesses.

[@d.c.1537]

Your Congressman is your representation. If there's no sales tax in your state, this is simply price gouging by the merchant or, it may be put in place by local government. If it's truly illegal, report it to the attorney general - make some legal noise and see where it goes, file a lawsuit against whoever put this fee in place. Nevada is famous for this, they can't get a tax passed through the legislature so they create a "fee" instead. Good luck .

[@daves7775]

Agree it is illegal. It is NOT a tax. It is the STORE charging more - then the PRICE - which is illegal.

[@daves7775]

@@d.c.1537 The difference is this is NOT any City or State or County or Municipality. It is the STORE charging more under a FEE program. Which is changing the PRICE which was displayed. Which is illegal.

[@GarrettMoffitt]

It's a terrible thing, but it isn't tax, by definition. So taxation without representation doesn't apply

[@daves7775]

@@GarrettMoffitt Totally true. But when a Company advertises a Price (displayed on the shelf) - and then adds in a FEE that is not government imposed; and is not disclosed on the advertised price - that is illegal. It is not for example another "services fee" such as Shipping. This is total BS. They can incorporate it into the Price if they want. But it is (I would think) illegal to just charge an additional FEE with no disclosure and hide it down in the 'tax' section. Hang a HUGE SIGN at your door - stating you charge a 14% FEE on all stuff - just cause... then your legal. And no one will shop there.

[@wvhillbille9458]

The stores that put PIF on anything should be boycotted.

[@CharlesRodriguez-rk8lx]

C-Suite and board members in jail

[@ReasonablySane]

I "boycott" all sorts of businesses for stuff like this. That is, I'm free to shop there or not, so I don't. Think globally and act locally.

[@chip6954]

In my area, the city forced it on businesses in a particular part of the city as it was to help pay for the costs of a new big box store district...disgusting, regardless of who dreamt up this little scam.

[@ReasonablySane]

@@chip6954 I used to work in commercial real estate in the Seattle area. Some strip malls literally had higher sales tax rates than others. It was purely a money grab by the city. The exact same thing as the local police coming in every month for their "cut", except it's legal. I literally avoided shopping in those places. And I told them why.

[@CharlesJones-wi7tz]

Why doesn’t the government stealing your money make you equally upset?

[@Retiredin09]

The Target at Buckingham Square in Aurora, CO charges a PIF. I've never seen this charge at any other Target. The manager said the shopping center charges them this fee and they have to pass that on to the customers. None of the other stores (that I shop) in this shopping mall charge this fee. I haven't shopped at this Target since.

[@susanpetropoulos1039]

Nobody should buy things at Target w/o taking a picture of the price on the shelf to check it with the price on the receipt. They have a hundred excuses like lack of employee training, shortage of computer personnel to keep up with price changes etc. And then there was the perverted trans baby clothing campaign. Do not trust them!

[@leonfungi6997]

WTF!!!???? aren't we giving them a profit, so they can pay their own bills....????

[@herculesbrofister265]

These corporations are going for broke with their profiteering. They know the collapse of society is near, that's why the elite are building bunkers and privately funding space exploration.

[@teresaesquivel2040]

I charge them

[@MrSantiago214-z9q]

No we sent with the policy’s passed that have increased every aspect of business please vote red

[@krislarsen6546]

Which is weird sense of buying products from them is already paying their bills already.... So why are they not adding that 2.5% to all the products anyways it would make much more sense instead of listing it as a separate fee.

[@Steve-sg3uz]

You need to be progressive and adopt the OPM philosophy!

[@JonAnderhub]

Thank you for exposing this scam. Why do I call it a scam? Because, private companies are taking money from the public, putting it in their pocket and calling it an improvement fee when "improvements" are just what should be routine maintenance done by the developer that is already charging tenants to rent the property for profit.

[@Justin-uc8sc]

Hey not much man just taking a dump and watching some KZbin

[@manuelgchapajr2000]

It’s a Back Door Tax! PERIOD!

[@haplessasshole9615]

It's not a tax because it's not imposed by the government. The government allows the property developer to collect the PIF, which, if truth in labeling applied to such things, should be the _Property_ Improvement Fee. It's the developer, not the government.

[@Wilhuf1]

But taxes are for public, not private benefit.

[@roachtoasties]

A business can't impose it's own tax. So you're wrong there. What businesses are doing is nonsense. If there are costs to maintain the building, that's part of the cost of the item, not some sort of added fee.

[@haplessasshole9615]

@@roachtoasties Right. It should be part of the developer's operating costs, _not_ a line item on customer purchases.

[@laceyunderall22]

The Naughty By Nature reference was top tier! 😂😂😂😂

[@ransom182]

The greed of corporate America knows no bounds.

[@PresidentEvil]

this tax is government imposed it has nothing to do with corporations

[@Tad-For-Global-Peace]

Republicans voted against the price gouging bill, voted against worker rights and protections

[@petersack5074]

1780's. '' For the selfish spirit of commerce ; there is NO homeland.....No feelings.....NO Principles......only / just ' p r o f i t '. '' Mr. Thomas Jefferson, and boy, is HE ever correct. Human nature - abhors working, to EARN YOUR WAY + THINGS. Stealing, is rampant globally, ever since ' smart ' phones.....rotted peoples' moral decency .....T H A T IS NOW EXTINCT. Good luck, world, you'll ALL need it. ////// smart phones.....smart water.....smart tvs'........smart houses = REALLY STUPID PEOPLE ! GOOD THING, MR SPOCK IS D E A D. ''that, captain....is ILLOGICAL ''.

[@normbograham]

PIF's are city imposed. Public Improvement Fees (PIFs) are legal in some states, including Colorado and Florida. PIFs are private fees that businesses collect on sales transactions to pay for public improvements related to a development site. These improvements can include roads, bridges, sidewalks, curbs, storm management systems, and public street lighting. PIFs are not taxes, but they are considered part of the overall cost of a sale or service and are subject to sales tax.

[@aab434]

@@Tad-For-Global-Peacethey’re still price gouging even after the bill passed? Who is reinforcing it? Not Biden admin?

[@user-iz1vc3lx8t]

Greed is killing America and Americans 😢💔🙏

[@ElationProductions]

It is the root of all evil after all.

[@nfr333]

funny how these corporations only got "greedy" when a liberal is installed. enjoy what you voted for

[@raycapetillo5569]

Another way for crimes to become "legalized" by these crooks. Taxation without representation.

[@GarrettMoffitt]

It's not a tax, please pay attention to the video. It's a private charge from the developer. It's garbage, but all developers are turd gobbling liars.

[@Earthling247]

I’ll leave my items at the register unpaid with the tab open. They can pif off

[@bujmoose3992]

If it looks like a tax, smells like a tax, and behaves like a tax---it is a tax!

[@MrTom-kl7hy]

Without representation...

[@borabora4480]

The funds do not go to government

[@freedomlvr88.]

@@borabora4480 doesnt matter. it's a damn tax

[@Thomas-lt3fl]

​@@borabora4480 BS..... Whenever money is collected it will get taxed somewhere down the line. Why else you think the local government would allow it.

[@Digger-Nick]

​@@borabora4480Then it should be a flat amount, not a rate like tax...

[@berubejj]

I would go out of my way to shop where a PIF wasn't charged. That's insane.

[@kritsadventures]

I'd be PIFed if I saw this on my bill. I live in Illinois and I don't think this is a thing here, but I can tell you right now, if I saw this on my receipt, I'd demand a full or partial refund, and if I didn't get it, I'd file a charge back on the basis that I wasn't informed of the fee, or given an opportunity to reject the purchase.

[@slightleeaddicted9415]

I live in Illinois as well and the next time I buy a product, whether it be a Coke or whatever it is, I'm definitely going to look for this.

[@phoenixmode6909]

I live in downstate IL. My local municipality is already doing criminal things dressed as "for the people", it's ridiculous. From DC on down, the name of the game is tell the people what your doing is for their benefit, while you steal their money and do with it what you will. IL state sales tax is about 6.25%. Add to that Bond County sales tax of 1.5%, and Greenville city sales tax of 1 %, making sales tax in my town a whopping 8.75%. And our roads still suck, our schoolteachers still have to rely on parents and themselves to buy basic classroom supplies, and it's getting harder to afford basic needs like food, rent, gas, medical care. I am not exaggerating. And if minimum wage were adjusted to March the current cost of living, the state/local authorities would simply Jack the taxes up yet again, for fear of missing out on a dolllar. It's criminal in this nation what is going on. I'll be watching for the PIF on all my receipts from now on, and questioning anything I see as vague or just plain wrong. It's a way for state and local governments to tax you additionally, by not calling it a tax.

[@dieseldragon6756]

I'm glad I'm one of the first in the UK to have a heads-up on this... 👍 _Sound of personal Terms being modified to lay an automatic and enforceable £10,000 penalty upon any business that lays a PIF and then refuses to remove it, or repay it with interest upon demand..._ 📜

[@dbernardo7226]

A side note: In New Jersey, if you have a speeding ticket or any vehicle ticket, and have to go to court, you will be assessed "contributions" for the local ambulance squad, etc ... even if you do not benefit from this "contribution" because you are not a resident ...

[@cyxceven]

If everyone files charge backs it will severely burden the franchise/developer, and drop their standing with the banks. Do it.

[@alistairblaire6001]

FTC needs to step in ASAP or we’re going to start seeing this all over the country and because the number of retailers has shrunk, we won’t have any choice because they’ve all agreed to charge this BS fee.

[@neilkurzman4907]

Sounds like it’s a state problem. Not a federal one.

[@realDonaldMcElvy]

This should be illegal. It allows a business to remain complacent with a surplus of goods and bad service, at the expense of every customer. If you can't afford to keep the lights on, then maybe you shouldn't have bought 50 pallets of zero sugar beverages expecting every last drink to sell.

[@jalan02]

Technically, I believe it is illegal. If the fee is not advertised - if you're not made aware of it in advance - the store is charging you a price other than what is marked. That's illegal.

[@slowanddeliberate6893]

Lobbyists probably already got lawmakers to make it legal without there being an announcement.

[@neilkurzman4907]

You don’t understand it’s imposed by the building owner not the tenant it’s basically a way for the building owner to get a percentage of the tenants profit

[@ianbrooks9686]

This is why corporations shouldn't own all the land .. now people are getting taxed twice.

[@1motomanic]

We're getting taxed alot more then twice I'm afraid.

[@warrentrout]

corps don't own all the land. it's not a tax. wrong on both counts

[@ARLimon74]

What is the difference? ​@@warrentrout

[@Inyourhideyhole]

That's basically what it is 😢

[@CORNDODGER]

SPHINCTER SAYS WHAT

[@GazzaBoo]

How is this legal? Adding a ‘because we said so’ fee to a bill is theft. You didn’t opt in and it’s not something they sold to you or added tax for and you can’t opt out if you don’t even know it’s being added. It’s nothing more than corporations skimming the public. I hope there’s a class action suit on the horizon.

[@fucker1714]

Because the developers pay off, er, "donate" to politicians and then the politicians let it happen.

[@1014p]

Technically like those forced signing of EULA. You agreed to the fee for shopping there. Go to another place to shop instead.

[@aheadofthecurve2352]

Corporations will tell you to return the item(s) and shop elsewhere if you do t like it. This assumes there anywhere else to shop since the smaller places have all but disappeared.

[@Suspicious_Wolf_444]

I love the lady's laugh at the end when he said, "Show us your pifs! Don't be shy" 😂

[@arnisdaddy7905]

People should now start charging businesses "CIFs" which are "Consumer Improvement Fees" Those are the fees we will start imposing on businesses to make us want to shop there so as to "Improve" their businesses. Otherwise we impose "BIFs" which are "Boycotting Inflation Fees" which are the boycotts we impose to improve OUR lives!

[@jamilabagash149]

That's the way to go. Know your thief. BDS. Boycott. Divest. Sanction. It is the same select few, that have been ripping us off for over a 200 years, through banking and interest. Be on the alert for further scams.

[@IrishAnnie]

Great idea! You should run for office!

[@isddesigner7]

I love your ideas.

[@Forgoneconclusion.]

🤣😂

[@nunyabiznez6381]

Legally you are only required to pay for the advertised price plus legally imposed tax. Hidden fees on merchandise is a violation of fraud laws.

[@aphroditedancer]

So Belmar just needs another reason for people to stop shopping there.

[@bukboefidun9096]

Sounds like you should shop heavily in Wyoming when you go there.

[@tech4life884]

Taxing customers beyond what the Government allows is illegal

[@valdivia1234567]

Apparently not in the state of Colorado.

[@Yoduh1]

Wrong.

[@vernacular1483]

It’s not a tax, genius

[@lylecampbell9036]

​@vernacular1483 yes being fleeced by another name genius.

[@thesoundsmith]

Not in a Republican-controlled region. Scams are a normal part of doing business with Trump-humpers.

[@mangiblotarinawabag4964]

Try imposing a PIF when the meter reader or mail arrives. These are illegal surcharges and need to be contested in court.

[@jamestreanor4361]

All these extra fees, taxes and tips are starting to PIF me off!

[@marcedwards7110]

Weird, if the customers took 2% off the total bill to save for their own upkeep and improvements, these establishments wouldn’t allow the sale to go through

[@4KindnessGal]

You are absolutely right! Good insight on your part.

[@roger4909]

So basically it’s like restaurants not wanting to pay the employees and automatically adding a 20% tip to your bill?

[@rogerbobrowski5741]

Yup, just like that

[@HighwayLand]

I live in oregon and I don't think we have anything like that out here...yet. Just another way to take money. Excellent reporting, by the way!

[@minigpracing3068]

Ok, so a tax that hasn't been voted on then? Didn't we have a war about this kind of stuff a long time ago?

[@squibbard]

Target is rent seeking, these PIFs aren't the government ripping you off, but private developers/companies.

[@valdivia1234567]

@@squibbard I disagree. It's the idiot legislators who allow it and are sometimes complicit. Vote for legislators who will change this.

[@NopeUghUghAbsolutelyNot]

​@@squibbardRight, private companies charging extra under the guise of a ''covenant'' they didnt actually enter into with the public.

[@hisinvisibleness-fn8qj]

Exactly but it never changes because people are automatons and peasants never revolt With bread and circus on the menu

[@larrybruce4856]

Democrats do two things well: (1)Raise taxes, raise taxes, raise taxes, raise taxes, raise taxes (2) Waste hard-working taxpayer's money *** And did I mention ------------RAISE TAXES ??? .

[@eastender74]

It’s refreshing to see the media working for us not against us.

[@martybadboy]

True, but they only pursued this because of private business profiting. They won't do a news story on where your taxes go.

[@couchpoet1]

Crumbs for the starving is not working for us.

[@Lreclusa]

​@@couchpoet1are you people never content to just accept a good thing when you see it? What do you want them to do, stand outside giving $500 to everyone who walks out of the store? There was something going on that was affecting the average person in their coverage area. They looked into it, found out what was going on, and reported on it. Now the people who are affected are better informed. That's literally their job, and they did it. Take the Ws when they come.

[@couchpoet1]

@@Lreclusa thank you for making my point for me.

[@aheadofthecurve2352]

Lol,ok.

[@rhess10]

If you want to put a stop to this, just go into the store shop for four or five hundred dollars worth of items check out get a receipt and then take it immediately to the customer service desk and say you're returning every one of these things because of this ridiculous added fee. You vote with your dollar in the more money you give to organizations that don't like you, the more power they're going to get. If you don't like those organizations then take the power from them by keeping your money in your pocket.

[@lmw716]

So glad to stumble upon this. Colorado is officially off our list of possible states to find a job in. I’ll also be looking for other states where this is legal and crossing them off, too. Thanks!

[@damham5689]

If I see one of these fees Im going right to return counter and return my entire purchase. Everyone should. Make it cost more than its worth and they might think tw8ce.

[@jaybackspace]

You can't tell people to do that. It illegal. Just a friendly warning. Don't get in trouble over it.

[@cs7717]

​@@jaybackspacewhat country are you in? Telling people to return what they purchased is not illegal. Ever heard of the First Amendment?

[@iowahank1]

@@jaybackspace What's illegal about it?

[@mzpatintexas8329]

@@jaybackspaceNo it’s not,what is illegal is that charge on the receipt.

[@otmargreb6110]

​@@jaybackspacewhat planet are you on?

[@uselesscommentrary6960]

Glad to see someone - ANYONE - actually covering this in a meaningful way. So far this has only shown up in a couple places near where I live. It was covered by media very briefly before the shopping areas opened and never again. Called an "infrastructure fee" and an "amenity fee" it's nothing more than a private and unregulated tax. In the good old days we used to call that the cost of doing business, but not now. In the woke-20s we're expected to tip the landowners something so they can maintain it. At least that's their excuse for it. Here's a terrific twist to this scam: many of these properties received tax breaks or the local municipalities downright paid for the improvements or necessary infrastructure for those private properties with money raised through taxes, by the taxpayers, who now are told they have to pay an additional private tax to help pay for the private property owners property infrastructure and improvements. See a problem with that? I do. Ironically you can drive a few minutes away from ANY of these places and go to the same or similar stores and not pay the additional fees. Unfortunately the shopping masses are either ignorant about the fees or just don't care, so the businesses get away with it. Kind of like politicians claiming a 1% tax is "only a penny". People fall for it and the scam continues.

[@db8658]

You had me until your "woke" misnomer. You're so, so close.

[@N0xiety]

@@db8658 So you thought it worthy to put your entire focus on the usage of the word 'woke' instead of the actual important bits of OP's comment. Did you take it as an affront or something? Seems really 'woke' of you 😂

[@What.The.Fluff.]

​@@db8658 ReeEEeeEee! 😭

[@S.A.White...]

Yeah, that "woke" thing is... A bit of a dog whistle? Like I don't know what woke means in this situation, but it certainly seems like it means "doesn't agree with Fox News", not "wants to stop police brutality".​@@db8658

[@brutusofnn]

Woke is woke you silly nut jobs! 🤬

[@Vincent_Beers]

This is retail stores abusing fees the way hotels and resorts were already doing. Room rent + cleaning fee + resort fee + holiday fee + fitness center fee+ pool fee + automatic tip + city tax + state tax+ federal tax. Your $100 a night room is now $215. Add $30 for that water bottle your kid took out of the fridge without asking, that you can't put back unopened because it's charged as soon as removed, and add another $3 restocking fee. Also don't forget the check in and check out fee if you use the front desk instead of their app.. And the app has a convenience fee and a monthly subscription.

[@emilinebelle7811]

Facts. I don’t understand how they can get away for this. There’s a name for this sort of fraud or price gouging and I don’t know what the word would be but it needs to be known everywhere so we can call it what it is and so something about it

[@herelieskittythomas3726]

I will sleep in my car outside the venue.

[@herelieskittythomas3726]

​@@emilinebelle7811extortion

[@sallyannsmith9929]

I live in Pueblo and just looked up who collected it. All of Colorado has a .5% charge including restaurants. This is absolute BS

[@thelbtlover]

If I shopped in a store and they added that BS to my receipt, I would turn around and return everything and shop somewhere else.

[@RoseRedRoseWhite]

yes! People don't understand how important it is to nip this kind of nonsense in the bud - and with our dollars is how we do it. They are hoping everyone goes oh it's only X amount of cents!

[@SunshineCatwoman]

@@RoseRedRoseWhite And many people do just that. Years ago, I used to have more liberal friends (before they got so incredibly intolerant and stupid), and they would say things like, "I don't mind paying X to help (whomever or whatever cause they "cared" about)." When I explained that they could contribute their own money to whatever they wanted, but they shouldn't force everyone to do so, they would say, "The problem is that some people won't do it unless they're forced to do it," not even understanding or caring that what they were saying was a complete violation of individual rights.

[@westernwrangler1542]

Fine, I encourage that. But it isn't the store charging the fee, it's their lease holders. i.e. the developer/owner of the property the store is located on.

[@freighter1097]

I'm willing to bet that you wouldn't stop shopping at Target.

[@unforgvn5639]

Actually, it's the property owners charging the stores and the stores are choosing to roll that business expense into a "fee" onto the consumers instead of it affecting the stores profit margins. ​@westernwrangler1542

[@grafando]

All of these fees to pay for the business's expenses but profits go straight to the CEO. Ever notice that? Nothing ever comes out of their profits.

[@mikemprov1303]

As if I needed another reason to not shop Target.

[@johnjones5354]

Or not to live in the peoples republic.

[@bikeny]

As I mentioned in my other comment a few minutes ago, this store is a corporate naming rights john (john as in 1 side of a transaction in the world's oldest profession) and for me, I go out of my way to not buy products and services from such companies. I do my best, and depending on the john, I might not be able to avoid them, but I try. At least with stores, there are plenty of places to go. If you look at ncaa bowl games, all or virtually all, have johns as the title name. The Rose Bowl has a 'presenting' john since it's named as The Rose Bowl Presented by this-years-john. How does a company measure the ROI of a naming rights deal? Do people buy the chips BECAUSE of the deal? It's not like coupons of days gone by.

[@tapitXq9]

I quit target years ago when they were the first to have some sort of "other" sex restrooms.

[@ralfie8801]

It’s not just them, every store on that property is charging that fee because the property owner said so. The owners of those shopping centers are the ones to blame, not necessarily the store itself unless they own the property themselves and are using this scam too.

[@nooneyouknow5516]

It's not just target.... That's just where the reporter shopped.

[@ItsRhaego]

Man really said “SHOW US YOUR PIFS! DONT BE SHY!” LmfOooooo

[@meyatetana2973]

Whenever a store charges me something other then a sales tax I stop shopping there. All these t hings is cost of doing business not my problem and I'll just shop online to avoid it entirely

[@jessereinhardt6320]

Exactly - they should raise their prices accordingly and not try to sneak fees on that you only discover after checking out. It gives me a bad taste in my mouth when business and gubment do this.

[@davesnothere8859]

they are misrepresenting there prices by whatever this fee is. Maintenance of the building is overhead.

[@theguru143]

It is illegal to charge a customer a "fee" without announcing it to them up front, BEFORE they make a purchase. If I see this where I live and wasn't informed prior to shopping there, well... they can have fun putting back all the products I'm leaving in the cart and not buying as I walk out

[@GazzaBoo]

If you ask for a refund, do they only refund what you bought or do they refund their thieving little scam as well? Questions need answering.

[@freedomlvr88.]

@@GazzaBoo good point

[@HatedAndLovingIt]

I'd put everything back, and buy the cheapest thing in the store just for a receipt that I can take them to court with.

[@enigmascape]

The whole thing pisses me off too and it shouldn't exist, however the way they get away with it is that you actually AGREE to pay this fee on the screen before you pay, just like any other contract. At a self-checkout its right there on the screen. Before you pay for anything, anywhere, you can ask to see what you are paying for before you pay, that's how our entire system works, and this is how they get away with ripping peoiple off because nobody actually pays attention or reads anything before they commit to it with their hard earned money. Its how we get screwed on social media selling our info, and all sorts of things that are hidden in a 'terms of service' agreement that nobody reads etc... "FINE PRINT" is how we all get screwed and gives them legal cover to screw us.

[@obits3]

@@enigmascapeWhile I see what you’re saying, hasn’t the Federal Trade Commission ruled before that changing prices at the register constitutes false advertising? A fee that systematically increases the costs of their items is functionally no different than a scheme that systematically increases the price of the items at the register. It’s deceptive design.

[@juju-xx5xn]

Thank you for looking into this! Don't we, the taxpayers, pay enough for stuff? It's like sports team billionaire owners wanting the taxpayers to build them a new stadium, or an arena. Like WTF?? Use your own money if you want to build stuff. Leave us taxpayers alone!!

[@gilldavidmour4199]

Good example.

[@khabircasey]

The Naughty by Nature reference caught me off guard❤😅.

[@GodsSparrowSpeaks]

*THIS IS WHAT OUR STATE and LOCAL TAXES ARE FOR!!!! THIEVES!!!*

[@erniejones5008]

No, it’s not because this is improving The businesses property not state or local property. State and local taxes will not fix the parking lot of a business or the roof or whatever.

[@ikb9386]

@@erniejones5008good point. That’s what their profits are for.

[@tjmarx]

No it isn't. This fee is for the owner of the property to pop in his pocket. They do not have to use it to improve anything, it's just free money they hoped you wouldn't notice.

[@GodsSparrowSpeaks]

@@tjmarx Very wrong that they do this to customers And also increase prices beyond a healthy profit, to greatly enrich stockholders, which wouldn’t be an issue if there were not IPO beyond the financial scope of an average worker. Thank you for pointing this out

[@tjmarx]

@GodsSparrowSpeaks To be clear, no business is bound to a "reasonable profit" nor do they have any obligation to workers beyond their contracts. They DO however have a legal obligation to investors and shareholders to make as much profit as possible. Prices are determined by what the market can bare. If they though people at sufficient numbers would pay $1000 for a bottle of coke, they'd charge that. Similarly, excess fees. Your only power in this entire endeavour is whether you as the consumer make the choice to shop with a particular retailer or not. If you don't like their prices, or their fees, you can choose not to shop there. Alternatively, if you choose to continue shopping there you should accept that is explicit agreement with such fees. Clearly PIFs as a mere 1% of transactipn are intended to fly under the radar and not be noticed by consumers. Let's take target for example. The average transaction amount is $20, meaning a 40c PIF on that transaction. Let's be conservative and say 5000 transactions occur at that location on any given day. That would be at least $2000 in PIF fees per day or $720,000 in PIF fees paid per year, per location. Given these are collective fees paid to the developer and not the store itself, a developer with 5 stores on a lot making $720K each per year in PIFs would raise $3.6M in revenue per year from PIFs alone. Are you seeing that level of maintenance and development in these lots?

[@ericbruce11]

Good story! Glad it's receiving some attention.

[@jasonkeigley6424]

THIS IS ILLEGAL, UNLESS IT WAS MADE LAW. HUGE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT.

[@thezirons]

It is legal under the Colorado Special District Act. Really wish it wasn't though. Developers shouldn't need money from consumers to maintain their properties. The rent they charge businesses in the special districts should more than cover maintenance costs.

[@overyonderjustapiece]

@@thezironsit is illegal. Without a voted on ordinance or new law to apply those taxes, it is theft. Plain and simple. And why are private citizens being taxed so a PRIVATE CORPORATION can be given money by some ass kissing circle jerk pivot man bureaucrat? The PRIVATE corporation that wants these funds have plenty of options to obtain them. They are called BANKS!!

[@melissabryant2251]

Act???? Taxes need legislation first.

[@herculesbrofister265]

@@melissabryant2251give it up. It's not illegal and nothing you say will change that. If you want to prove me wrong, win a lawsuit.

[@johnsmith1953x]

I look forward for my $1 Coupon to McDonalds.

[@ishepard2]

Came for the PIF, stayed for the OPP reference. +1 for you

[@shep938]

Ditto

[@GregShepherd66]

"Gee, thanks for shopping here, as a thank you, pay more! PS don't forget to donate to our charity so we can look good as a company and donate your money in our name." Great report and well presented.

[@Kelly-oe8kr]

💯

[@pinxtownington4645]

No that's 2.5% extra for shareholders mate they don't get enough dividends?

[@purplepeoplesparty2368]

County Board of Supervisors needs to repay these people the PIF charges out of their own personal pockets. AKA - politician's is where some of that PIF money goes. That may change the PIF rip off. Disgusting.

[@skullhart]

"Show us your PIF's!" Guy is a legend for going there😅

[@MotleyStew]

Love the “Naughty” reference. 🎶 ‘come on, come on, come on let me tell you what it's all about’

[@Notwoke7]

Take this to a public consumer Judicial Watch so they can take it to court - this is called taxes and we are already charged.

[@timetriad6199]

This needs to be challenged in court…

[@SkinnyCow.]

Its a "I just want more profit" line item.

[@Antney946]

Try again. This money DOES NOT enrich the business that's being required to charge it.

[@dwderp]

That is absolutely a tax. The fact that it’s being levied by a private organization makes it an incredibly illegal tax.

[@MJCLAXDEN]

One would think that anything on a receipt that is "telegraphed/disguised/cloaked in the legitimacy" as a tax, should be refunded and civil litigation against the entities doing it.

[@frankwang5014]

I ate at a restaurant once that had a little folded card on the table. Like those you see advertising cocktails, desserts, happy hour specials etc... Though this one was the restaurant boasting how they provide health care benefits for their employees. When the bill came there was an additional charge on it I didn't understand. So I asked the server what it was? They explained that was the employee health care fee. I thought the card on the table said the employee's employer provided their employees health care, not the customer. I told them that was illegal,. That they can't just unilaterally impose a fee/change for something not permitted by law & made them remove the charge from the bill.

[@Look_What_You_Did]

Wow... you're a real piece of work. I bet you vote against universal healthcare and education too.

[@andsoitbegins464]

Good for you!😊

[@aaronboggs5799]

The armchair attorneys sure came out of the woodwork on this video. I am not a lawyer, but from the small amount of research I’ve done on this, what the restaurant did was likely legal. Should they have made it clear at the table - e.g., on the menu - that a fee would be added to help subsidize employee health insurance? Probably, but itemizing that cost on the receipt may well have been sufficient from a legal standpoint. Regardless, I personally would gladly pay extra to a restaurant that offers health insurance to their employees. I’ve worked food service jobs before and that sure would have been nice to have back then.

[@jenniminder1362]

I think restaurants have gotten away with paying low wages to employees because they make tips from the customer. I wish they would pay their employees a reasonable amount, offer a Healthcare plan and charge accordingly through food and service, no tip expected. Then I make the decision of whether I want to spend money there.

[@obits3]

@@aaronboggs5799It’s not legal unless you can prove that there was informed consent. This is basic contract law, the “meeting of the minds” must happen for an agreement to be valid. Things like sales taxes and tips are considered normal enough that a reasonable person would be considered informed they exist (and tips are generally voluntary). Outside of that, the “agreement” is based on a customer ordering off some type of menu with prices. If I say, this item is $100 and you eat the $100 item, I can’t wait until after you eat to say the item is really $101 because of some made up 1% fee I didn’t disclose as part of the negotiation. Doing so would violate the price agreed by both parties at the time the agreement was made and acted upon.

[@trinasummer]

They get away with it because they call it a FEE. Greedy corporate people. Time to boycott all those that think they are getting away with that greedy fee.

[@pappysproductions]

Steve, your presentation on this matter was hilarious and great. OPM ....😂😅 Excellent my man!.... just Excellent. I'm from San Diego, so this is the first time I've seen you. ❤

[@MrRobinhalligan]

As someone from New Zealand it always astounds me when i see shopping in the US. here if something is advertised on the shelf as $2 then that is what you pay, tax is already added.

[@EternalDreamerrr]

OMG that sounds amazing in NZ!

[@Roger_Stenning]

Same in the UK; VAT - Value Added Tax - is included in the advertised price.

[@DadCanFixAnything]

Always check your receipt. We should insist for the fee to be removed or the purchase refunded. If enough people actually take action, this plundering will be short lived.

[@markunavail8510]

I live in Florida I haven't seen any PIF here but if I ever do it's straight to the refund counter for a full refund including the PIF !!!!

[@tebelshaw9486]

I just checked my receipt from Ollie's in Lake City, Florida. It lists a state tax, and then lists a county tax. Never noticed that before. Lake City is in Columbia Co. Have not seen that on receipts in Suwannee Co.

[@markunavail8510]

@@tebelshaw9486 Yea that sounds like something a County would do !! I live in Marion County only thing on Walmart rec. is a State Sales Tax !!

[@oldauntzibby4395]

This is so rare to see a local station doing their own investigative journalism. Bravo. Making the map and asking for citizen input is even better.

[@stevelacombe5291]

They should be required to have a 4x8 sign at the front door, warning people that they will be ripping them off.

[@ScottGrammer]

2:03 -The goal is to help finance improvements on the property- No, the goal is to line somebody's pockets. There. Fixed it for ya.

[@Raymond-l4w]

MAINTENANCE IS NOT FOR CUSTOMER/ CLIENTS RESPONSIBILITY ! ! ! KEEP UR RECIET AND FILE ITEMIZED TAX RETURN

[@13jorino]

And just will that do?

[@SpectateDrake]

@@13jorino?

[@raecrowe9514]

Itemizing can reduce your tax bill. The real question is did any government body enact this law, or have these businesses invented it to see how long they can get away with it because only THEY are benefitting from it, and they are not the government.

[@Raymond-l4w]

@@raecrowe9514 they do this BECAUSE NOT EVERYONE knows they can file itemized taxes. U can save gas receipts, tires, maintenance, ECT and right off taxes owed. Fact u make a paycheck weekly/ monthly and that is for living expenses not maintenance. I did it for years. I did NOT go to h& r block, I went to a C.P.A. !

[@Raymond-l4w]

U pay taxes for roads and maintenance and then have to pay maintenance due to lack of maintenance. NO ! Frontend alignment because poorly maintained roads !

[@acb9896]

Restaurants here in San Diego are charging a random "cost of living increase" fee. Its usually about 4% On just regular "Food good, didnt wait long, even tempered server, place is clean" dining out, I tip 20% because I sadly spent my 20's in F&B so I know to be generous. When I see that on a fee on a check or menu, I ask the server do they want the 20% I'm prepared to leave or the 4%. You wont get both. Ive been told several times management wont take the 4% off. Guess what they get? Its so ridiculous because all these places need to do is just raise the prices and customers will never know. We're really living in some unique times.

[@Monsuco]

Honestly there should be a law that forces stores to state the sales taxes you will be charged and any fees you will be charged at their entrance so that people know what they'll be paying. Plus it makes sales taxes more visible to the public and more subject to public scrutiny as a result.

[@mcqtomm]

When is the people of Colorado going to stand up and throw these people out of office?????

[@amys4976]

This is a privately imposed fee and has NOTHING to do with anyone in office. The private developer that rents out and owns the shopping center imposes these fees, not government. They call it a public improvement fee to make it sound like it's for the public, but it's so they can use Other People's Money to pay for their parking lots.

[@davidm8657]

@@amys4976 Does the consumer have the right to refuse this fee? Sounds deceptive to me.

[@JustMe-bg3gn]

So, the property developers of those retail stores have the stores charge consumers a (Public Utility Fee) PIF added to their purchase. Question: Who are these developers, and how much have they collected so far? Are these retailers posting the PIF so consumers are aware before they purchase? The Public is curious.

[@MrZeke701]

I am sick and tired of being ripped off at every turn.

[@jakel950]

Personally, I think the video misconstrues some things about PIFs. They aren't charged by stores, but by a metropolitan district that maintains the area these stores are in. For example, Belmar is in The Plaza Metropolitan District 1 & 2. They do list the PIF rate and revenue in one of their financial documents on their website. These metropolitan districts are allowed to exist under the Special District Act (Colorado Revised Statutes Title 32). My understanding is that they are a way around TABOR limiting how much tax revenue the state can keep. That is also why they show up as a PIF instead of being included in sales tax. They legally cannot be called a tax. I don't like everything about the system, but these districts do help maintain the areas they encompass. I'm still reading through Title 32, but my guess is that they have reporting requirements that keep them honest about where the money is going. Hope this adds clarity. I encourage anyone reading this to go look at the Special District Act or the Colorado Department of Local Affairs website. They have information about special districts as well.

[@reedlarsen5441]

@@JustMe-bg3gn it’s my understanding that the local city council or county commissioners usually sign off on these when they green light a development. I remember a lot of discussion in the 2000s in Lakewood about both the Belmar and Colorado Mills PIFs. If a developer doesn’t get them, they may decide not to develop or, in the case of the old Southglen mall (now Belmar) redevelop the area. I’m not saying I support PIFs. But that is how the conversation went 20 years ago.

[@freedomlvr88.]

@@jakel950 reporter say some pay their bills with it. how is that legal!?

[@ryanvannice7878]

​@@jakel950 Thanks for explaining this when the journalist did not.

[@noelahg79]

That is straight up theft. Take them to court!

[@Cici_Dial]

At a new car lot, I saw "EDP $600" on the window sticker. I asked what it was. He said. "Extra Dealer Profit". He said a buyer only had to ask to have it removed, and it would be. He said that in the 12 years he had been selling cars, that I was the first person to even ask what it was.

[@ryanwalters6184]

The real question is did you believe him that you were the first? 😂

[@Bdamazyn]

I'd call that a rip off.

[@Cici_Dial]

@@ryanwalters6184 Given the general stupidity of people today, I'd say it was a strong possibility.

[@stephengoetsch349]

These are outrageous! I would suggest that the people in jurisdictions where there are PIFs get their lawmakers to prohibit such charges.

[@finnmccool22]

LOL. Really? In sh i t hole Colorado the lawmakers helped them to do this. The lawmakers won't do squat.

[@spikespa5208]

Good luck with that. How do you think the lawmakers make their boat payments?

[@rolandvillareal9337]

Inching ever so close to our Boston Tea Party moment.

[@butchcassidy3373]

Waaay past due.

[@havable]

So a company charges a PIF so we'll pay their operating costs for them (such as resurfacing a parking lot). This should be illegal. They're not using the money to "improve the public space" they're spending it on their own property. Maybe we should charge stores a "personal improvement fee" that we tax their goods with so we can afford to survive.

[@streetpunkstar]

Steve just wanted to make cocaine jokes this whole story. 😆

[@frankthefkintank]

I appreciated the Naughty By Nature reference too

[@ronmcmartin4513]

It's Outrageous! They're acting just like the Gov't. "It's Not a Tax; it's a Fee!"

[@normbograham]

The fee goes to a very local government. And the wording is such, that they then put a salestax on the fee.

[@ratbert86]

LOL the Closed Captions @ 3:17 = "Put together a map of piss"

[@davidconner-shover51]

PIF in my area, specifically one mixed use subdivision was done on unstable ground. namely, they built it on a landslide heap, a big landslide heap the money is used to nearly constantly replace infrastructure, and, even buildings that sit on it. The City refused to incorporate that property without it, the County refused to have anything to do with it at all. So far, the City had built a vehicle maintenance facility on one parcel, only to have to tear it down 20 years later. Two winters back, the frost heaves were so bad on one residential block that the street became completely unuseable for 6 months while they figured out how to fix it, it really looked like it had been bombed. The largest rural public transportation district in the country built a maintenance building nearby the aforementioned City maintenance building, after 10 years, they decided to expand the building. they discovered a new, large void beneath the building that threatened to take the whole building out within another 5 years, 70 mixer truck loads of grout ended up getting poured into that hole