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DENVER, CO - The House today advanced legislation on a preliminary vote that would bring down costs for Coloradans by cracking down on corporate price gouging for everyday necessities like groceries and toiletries.
“When college students are struggling to pay rent and parents are skipping meals to feed their kids, we can’t allow corporate greed to drive prices even higher,” said Rep. Yara Zokaie, D-Fort Collins. “We know that food, diapers, and toilet paper aren’t optional, so Colorado Democrats are cracking down on price-gouging tactics that increase profits off the backs of hardworking Coloradans. This bill would help level the playing field for honest businesses and reduce the costs of everyday items, making our state more affordable."
“This bill will limit price gouging to save Coloradans money on everyday necessities like groceries and reduce the cost of living in our state,” said Rep. Kyle Brown, D-Louisville. “Corporations are taking advantage of inflation and market conditions to raise prices and boost their profits. While House Republicans side with wealthy corporations, Colorado Democrats are addressing price gouging so hardworking Coloradans can hold on to more of their hard-earned money.
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 within 90 days.
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.