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DENVER, CO - The House today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Yara Zokaie and Kyle Brown that would bring down costs for Coloradans by cracking down on corporate price gouging for everyday necessities like groceries and toiletries. HB25-1010 passed by a vote of 38-24, with no House Republicans voting in support of the bill.
“Price gouging hurts hardworking Coloradans and mom-and-pop businesses, which is why I’m sponsoring this legislation that will hold bad actors accountable,” said Rep. Yara Zokaie, D-Fort Collins. “No one should have to choose between putting food on the table and paying rent, and as a mom to three young children, I have personally felt the pressure facing so many of our Colorado families. By passing this legislation in the House today, Colorado Democrats are standing up against corporate price gouging to reduce the cost of everyday necessities.”
“With corporate greed and profits driving prices higher on groceries and everyday necessities, Colorado Democrats are taking action to stop price gouging and save Coloradans money,” said Rep. Kyle Brown, D-Louisville. “While the COVID-19 pandemic, inflation and supply chain issues have impacted prices, bad acting corporations have taken advantage of these factors to jack up prices just to increase their profits. As Republicans in the legislature side with wealthy corporations, our majority is tackling the rising cost of living, putting an end to corporate price gouging, and making Colorado a more affordable place to live for all.”
HB25-1010 would prohibit price gouging of goods or services necessary for the health, safety, and welfare of Coloradans, like groceries and toiletries during a market disruption. In this bill, price gouging is defined as a price increase of 10 percent or above the average cost of the product or good during a declared disaster.
A 2024 Federal Trade Commission report stated that the three largest grocers accelerated and distorted the negative effects associated with supply chain disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Colorado Democrats passed a 2024 law, also sponsored by Rep. Brown, to prevent price gouging on rent after a natural disaster. The law was inspired after rents skyrocketed for Coloradans who lost their homes after the Marshall Fire, pricing vulnerable Coloradans out of their communities. Another law created the Prescription Drug Affordability Board to limit Big Pharma price gouging of life-saving prescription drugs, helping lower out-of-pocket prescription drug costs.