< Back March 2, 2020 MULTILINGUAL BALLOT ACCESS BILL PASSES HOUSE DENVER, CO– The House today voted to pass HB20-1081 , Representative Yadira Caraveo’s bill to allow multilingual ballot access, by a vote of 41-20. The bill would ensure that counties with significant minority language speakers provide voters in these communities with ballots in their own languages. “A strong democracy depends on well-informed voters, and this bill will ensure that all Coloradans can fully understand their ballots,” said Rep. Caraveo (D- Thornton). “Improving ballot access and bringing more people into the democratic process while placing minimal responsibilities on our local governments is a resounding win for Colorado.” The bill establishes a hotline run by the Secretary of State’s office to provide access to ballot translation and requires the Secretary of State’s office to have the hotline available for the November 2022 election and for every general election and statewide odd-year election thereafter. County clerks are to make available minority language sample ballots when a language is spoken by at least 2,000 or 2.5 percent citizens of voting age who speak English “less than very well” in a county. These sample ballots would be available in-person beginning in November 2022 and for every general election and statewide odd-year election thereafter. There are over 80,000 Colorado voters who speak English “less than very well.”. Ballots are often difficult for minority language speakers to comprehend, even if they do speak and read some English. The United States has no official language. The federal Voting Rights Act only requires the counties of Conejos, Costilla, Denver, and Saguache provide election materials in both English and Spanish, limiting ballot access for Coloradans who are eligible to vote across the state who speak English “less than very well.” Previous Next

SB24-233 would provide long-term property tax relief to save Coloradans money on their property taxes while protecting K-12 funding < Back May 8, 2024 Bipartisan Bill to Make Colorado More Affordable, Reduce Property Taxes Passes House SB24-233 would provide long-term property tax relief to save Coloradans money on their property taxes while protecting K-12 funding DENVER, CO – The House today passed bipartisan legislation sponsored by Speaker Pro Tempore Chris deGruy Kennedy that would provide permanent property tax relief to homeowners and businesses while protecting funding for public schools. SB24-233, which passed by a vote of 57-6, will build on the billions of dollars in temporary savings the state has provided over the last three years. “After months of hard work on the Commission on Property Tax, I’m proud that we have come up with a long-term, bipartisan solution that will save Colorado homeowners and small businesses money on property taxes,” said Speaker Pro Tempore Chris deGruy Kennedy, D-Lakewood. “This legislation will responsibly reduce property taxes in a meaningful way to save people money while protecting school funding. Today we made clear that there is no reason for deep-pocketed special interests to move forward with ballot measures that would devastate our communities, school funding, and public safety resources.” SB24-233 is sponsored by members of the bipartisan Commission on Property Tax Speaker Pro Tempore Chris deGruy Kennedy and Representative Lisa Frizell, R-Castle Rock. The bill would ensure that Colorado homeowners won’t see an increase in their property taxes for 2024 and reduce statewide local taxes by more than $1 billion. In 2026 and beyond, the bill would reduce property taxes by seven to 10 percent compared to current law for homes valued at $700,000 or less. Annual savings would equal $300-$400 for a home valued at $700,000. Savings would depend on local mills and any changes in assessed home values. SB24-233 would also reduce the commercial property assessment rate to 25 percent by 2027, down from 29 percent. To offset revenue loss resulting from the next year of property tax reductions, the bill would backfill school districts, ensuring public schools remain fully funded. Finally, SB24-233 would protect Coloradans against future spikes in property taxes by capping local property tax growth at 5.5 percent starting in 2025, creating more certainty for homeowners and businesses. Local governments would still have the opportunity to temporarily or permanently opt out of the cap by a vote of the people. Previous Next

The House today passed legislation on a preliminary vote to cap the cost of epinephrine auto injector devices at $60 for a 2-pack and save Coloradans money on life-saving medications. < Back March 7, 2023 Bill to Lower Cost of EpiPens Advances in House DENVER, CO - The House today passed legislation on a preliminary vote to cap the cost of epinephrine auto injector devices at $60 for a 2-pack and save Coloradans money on life-saving medications. “No Coloradan should have to choose between life-saving medication and putting a roof over their head,” said Rep. Javier Mabrey, D-Denver. “Right now, one company has a monopoly over epinephrine auto-injectors, allowing them to price EpiPens at nearly $700 for a 2-pack despite only costing $8 for the manufacturer to produce. We’re passing this legislation to ensure that life-saving medication is more affordable and accessible for all Coloradans.” “The current prices for an EpiPen 2-pack are inaccessible for hardworking Coloradans, requiring nursing assistants, child care workers, and cashiers to work over 40 hours to pay for their life-saving medication,” said Rep. Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora. “Capping out-of-pocket costs for EpiPens will save families money and ensure that every Coloradan has equitable access to this essential medication.” An epinephrine auto-injector is a medical device that is used to dispense epinephrine, a hormone that quickly combats life-threatening reactions including swollen airways and rapidly dropping blood pressure. It is commonly used by people with moderate to severe allergies, in addition to other medical issues, to prevent a fatal anaphylactic reaction. Epinephrine auto-injectors are commonly referred to by the trademark name “EpiPen”, which was acquired by one company in 2007. Since then, prices have increased over 660% to $690 for a 2-pack. Because EpiPens expire a year after purchase, Coloradans have been forced to spend hundreds of dollars annually for medication that can save them from potentially lethal reactions. HB23-1002 was highlighted by the Colorado House Democrats as legislation that drives the key agenda for the 2023 Legislative Session. It creates the Epi-Pen Affordability Program, where uninsured Coloradans with a prescription can apply online through the Colorado Division of Insurance to obtain low-cost epinephrine auto-injectors. Under this bill, manufacturers would be required to post access to the program on their websites. The bill also requires insurance carriers that provide coverage for epinephrine auto-injectors to cap the out-of-pocket cost to $60 for a 2-pack. With over 500,000 Coloradans experiencing severe food allergies and over 430,000 Coloradans with asthma, this bill will help nearly a million individuals and families across the state get low-cost access to the emergency medication they need. This legislation is modeled after successful policy passed by Colorado Democrats in recent years to limit profiteering off essential medication. Senator Dylan Roberts sponsored HB21-1307 , creating the Colorado Insulin Affordability Program and successfully reducing insulin prescription costs without shifting them to the marketplace or insurance policy consumers. The bill caps monthly insulin costs at $100, regardless of the number of prescriptions a person may have. Insulin is used similarly to EpiPens in regulating bodily reactions. Without insulin or EpiPens, individuals can experience dangerous and potentially fatal symptoms. Previous Next

< Back February 21, 2023 House Passes Bipartisan Bill to Encourage Incarcerated Coloradans to Pursue College Credits DENVER, CO – The House today passed bipartisan legislation sponsored by Representative Matthew Martinez to allow incarcerated Coloradans to earn time off their sentence by pursuing higher education. HB23-1037 passed the House with nearly unanimous support by a vote of 61-1. “This bill is about preparing incarcerated Coloradans for success when they’re released from prison by giving them the tools they need to thrive,” said Rep. Matthew Martinez D-Monte Vista. “I’m beyond proud to champion this bipartisan bill that received nearly unanimous support from Republicans and Democrats. This bill will reduce recidivism in Colorado by creating pathways for incarcerated people to earn credits toward degrees and certificates that create opportunities for good paying careers after they have served their time.” HB23-1037 , sponsored by Representatives Matt Martinez and Rose Pugliese, R-Colorado Springs, would allow inmates sentenced for a nonviolent felony offense to reduce their sentence by completing an accredited degree or other credential awarded by an accredited higher education institution while the inmate is incarcerated in the Department of Corrections (DOC). Specifically, inmates could receive one year of earned time for a bachelor's or associate's degree, 6 months for an earned credential or certificate of 30 credit hours worth, 18 months of earned time for a master’s degree, and two years for a doctoral degree. Right now, offenders in the DOC can reduce their sentence through earned time by participating in group living, counseling sessions and through specific work and training. Generally, inmates cannot reduce their sentence by more than 30 percent. This bill would add higher education to the list of ways inmates can reduce their sentence through earned time. HB23-1037 aims to encourage incarcerated Coloradans to pursue higher education and better prepare them for a high-earning career post-sentence. Access to education opportunities while in prison is one of the most efficient and cost-effective tools to reduce recidivism. Colorado’s recidivism rate is 50 percent , one of the highest in the nation. A comprehensive, nationwide study showed that the recidivism rate among incarcerated individuals who earn associate's degrees is around 14 percent and just 5.6 percent for those who earn bachelor's degrees. These recidivism rates are significantly lower than interacted individuals who receive no education while in prison. Previous Next

The Colorado Office of Economic Development recently announced recipients of the Community Revitalization Tax Credit to support projects that provide housing, childcare, retail or other community spaces. < Back June 26, 2025 Stewart Praises Grant Award for Durango Childcare Center, Community Services DURANGO – The Colorado Office of Economic Development recently announced recipients of the Community Revitalization Tax Credit to support projects that provide housing, childcare, retail or other community spaces. “The Powerhouse is an important pillar of the community in Durango, and this tax credit will make improvements that all Southwestern Coloradans can benefit from,” said Rep. Katie Stewart, D-Durango. “From child care to live music and weekly trivia, the Powerhouse provides a broad range of community services and activities. With the help of this tax credit, we can open up even more child care services and drive new investments that will benefit our community and create jobs.” The Powerhouse in Durango was awarded $1,080,000 in tax credits to make improvements to the museum, including: Renovating the child care center to meet statewide standards and build an outdoor playground, Developing a community gathering place and outdoor performance venue on the property. Adding indoor restrooms, multi-purpose meeting rooms and a storage space to the entryway in the museum, and Restoring the historic facade. The Community Revitalization Tax Credit (CRTC) was established by a 2024 law to create jobs and support local economies. Eligible projects can receive up to $3 million in tax credits. The tax credit will provide up to $50 million total, allowing up to $10 million a year in available tax credits for tax years 2025-2029. Learn more about the Community Revitalization Tax Credit here . Previous Next

< Back April 10, 2019 HOUSE COMMITTEE APPROVES BILL TO HELP COLORADO WORKERS ‘Just Transition’ legislation would ensure state studies and prepares for future (Apr. 10) – The House Business Affairs & Labor committee approved Speaker KC Becker and Rep. Rochelle Galindo’s bill to create the Just Transition Office within the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment to support the livelihood of coal transition workers, their families and their communities, and to help provide these workers access to training and job opportunities. “The time to take action on climate is now, but we cannot work towards a clean energy economy without also working on solutions to support workers who are affected by this transition,” said Speaker Becker, D-Boulder. “Workers and communities whose livelihoods are threatened by shifting economic tides and advancements in technology need support. We can support these communities in this transition and that’s the intention of this bill.” Due to market forces, Colorado’s power sector is transitioning toward renewable energy resources and natural gas. This bill would help ensure communities and workers who are going to be impacted by this market driven transition away from coal won’t be left behind. The bill provides critical benefits to workers who are laid off to help them get back up on their feet and provides workforce and economic development grants to communities whose residents and local economies are disproportionately impacted by the decline of coal. “HD-50 is a working class community. I’m the daughter of working people and work in a blue collar job myself. I understand the plight of working people and the struggles they go through every day,” said Rep. Galindo, D-Greeley. “This bill is about looking out for workers whose livelihoods could be impacted by inevitable market shifts. We need to be responsive, compassionate and proactive for workers when addressing the transition.” The bill was approved on a vote of 7-3. The bill now goes the the House Appropriations committee. Previous Next

The House today passed a bipartisan bill, sponsored by Representative Karen McCormick, to save farmers money and prevent livestock harm. < Back February 18, 2026 Bipartisan Bill to Save Farmers Money, Prevent Livestock Disease Passes House DENVER, CO — The House today passed a bipartisan bill, sponsored by Representative Karen McCormick, to save farmers money and prevent livestock harm. “Farmers and ranchers know that certain diseases or infections could wipe out their entire herd, and this bill saves both animal lives and money for our agricultural communities,” said Rep. Karen McCormick, D-Longmont. “Every farmer and rancher wants to keep their livestock healthy, and this bill extends the permissible uses of a livestock disease management fund to include preventative education and collaboration. This bipartisan bill is good for our agricultural ecosystem, saves farmers money and limits the spread of harmful diseases amongst livestock.” HB26-1067 , also sponsored by Representative Ty Winter, R-Trinidad, passed the House by a vote of 58 to 1. To save farmers money and help prevent the spread of livestock diseases, this bill would authorize the Department of Agriculture to expend money in support of agricultural workers preparing for and responding to certain emerging threats to livestock health. Under current law, the fund can only be used to reimburse a farmer or rancher if they are forced to euthanize their livestock after exposure to an infectious or contagious disease. This bill adds flexibility to the use of the fund so farmers and ranchers can take proactive measures to treat or prevent disease before it damages the herd. This bill also renames the fund to the "livestock health preparedness, response, and diseased livestock indemnity" fund to reflect its new role in preventive action and in protecting healthy herds. Last year, the Trump Administration announced that it would quadruple the amount of beef the U.S. imports from Argentina, which drastically undermined Colorado beef producers during peak season. The Colorado Department of Agriculture recently warned farmers and ranchers about the New World Screwworm, a parasitic fly that is “a threat to the livestock industry” in Colorado. Bird flu, formally known as the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, has been negatively impacting livestock in Colorado and across the nation. Previous Next

Two bills aimed at supporting students by preventing overdoses and expanding access to health care will go into effect on August 7. < Back July 29, 2024 New Laws to Prevent Student Overdoses, Expand Access to Health Care Go Into Effect DENVER, CO - Two bills aimed at supporting students by preventing overdoses and expanding access to health care will go into effect on August 7. HB24-1003, sponsored by Representatives Barbara McLachlan and Mary Young and Senators Dafna Michaelson Jenet and Cleave Simpson, R-Alamosa, will make opiate antagonists and drug testing strips available on school buses and in school buildings. SB24-034, sponsored by Senators Janice Marchman and Chris Kolker and Representatives Mandy Lindsay and Lorena Garcia, expands the existing School-Based Health Center Grant Program to include telehealth services and mobile health units. “I’m so proud to have worked closely with the students from both Durango and Animas High Schools to create this life-saving law,” said Rep. Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango. “Too often, Colorado youth have seen their classmates suffer from the current opioid crisis, which is why our law will increase availability and training for the administration of opiate antagonists. The advocacy from these students on this topic will make a significant impact throughout our state and save countless lives, as they’ve seen the challenges their peers face.” “Our young people have not escaped being harmed by the opioid crisis that is impacting every corner of our state, and we must do more to protect them,” Senator Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City, said. “This important legislation, which came to us from students who have been impacted directly by this terrible epidemic, gives schools more badly-needed tools to combat this crisis and will ultimately save lives.” “As a school psychologist, I understand how serious and common overdoses can be in our schools, and this new law will make it easier for schools to prevent these overdoses from becoming fatal,” said Rep. Mary Young, D-Greeley. “Research shows that overdose education for students, teachers, staff, and families leads to increased involvement in treatment and this legislation empowers students, educators, and other school personnel to know how to respond to an overdose. This student-initiated law gives schools life-saving harm reduction tools to decrease the number of student overdoses across Colorado.” HB24-1003 , will allow trained bus drivers and other employees present on buses to administer certain medications, including opiate antagonists such as Naloxone, to students experiencing an overdose. This law also permits school districts to maintain a supply of opiate antagonists on school buses, and for trained students to possess and administer opiate antagonists on school grounds, on a school bus, or at a school-sponsored event. Additionally, HB24-1003 will allow schools to acquire and maintain a supply of testing strips designed to detect the presence of additional harmful components in an opioid, such as fentanyl. “School-based health centers deliver critical care where and when students need it,” said Senator Janice Marchman, D-Loveland. “However, we still see gaps in care, especially in rural school districts. This new law will allow medical entities, in partnership with school districts, to use grant funding to support telehealth, mobile services and referrals for nearby services. This reduces barriers to care by bringing primary medical, behavioral, oral and preventative health care directly to school communities.” “The School-Based Health Center Grant Program helps provide quality health care services to our youth and meet the needs of students in our state,” said Rep. Mandy Lindsay, D-Aurora. “Our new law extends this important program to also include telehealth services so every student seeking care can receive it in a convenient way that works for them.” “For years, the state’s School-Based Health Center Grant Program has been instrumental in providing quality health care to students who need it most,” said Senator Chris Kolker, D-Centennial. “Expanding this successful program to include services like telehealth will help ensure every student seeking care can receive it in a timely, convenient manner. I’m thrilled to see us take another step forward to ensure every Colorado kid has the support they need to thrive.” “Expanding access to health care is critical, especially for our students and youth,” said Rep. Lorena Garcia, D-Unincorporated Adams County . “This new law expands the School-Based Health Center Grant Program so our students, regardless of their zip code, can receive the medical, behavioral, oral and preventative health care they need.” SB24-034 will expand the successful School-Based Health Center Grant Program to include telehealth services and mobile health units. School-based health centers are located in schools throughout Colorado and provide primary medical and behavioral health care to children and young adults. Under current law, the School-Based Health Center Grant Program supports the establishment, expansion, and ongoing operations of school-based health centers. SB24-034 allows this program to work alongside other school-linked programs, such as telehealth and mobile health units. Previous Next

< Back June 1, 2021 HOUSE PASSES BILLS TO FINANCE CLEAN ENERGY PROJECTS AND WEATHERIZATION SERVICES DENVER, CO– The House today passed legislation to create jobs and help Colorado build back stronger by financing clean energy projects and weatherization services. These bills are a part of the Colorado Comeback state stimulus, a package of legislation that will invest roughly $800 million into helping Colorado recover faster and build back stronger. “Renewable energy projects create jobs and help Colorado meet our climate goals,” said Rep. Alex Valdez, D-Denver. “By making smart investments that stimulate our economy and get people back to work, Colorado is going to advance new energy projects and clean energy retrofits across the state and build back stronger.” “Colorado is going to lead the way on renewable energy projects that create jobs and protect our environment,” said Rep. Tracey Bernett, D-Longmont. “This innovative approach leverages state funding to draw down significant capital that will finance critical new clean energy and energy efficiency projects that will stimulate our economy and save consumers money.” SB21-230 , sponsored by Representatives Valdez and Burnett, passed by a vote of 42-21. The bill invests $40 million in clean energy finance initiatives through the Colorado Energy Office. The majority of the funds will go to the Colorado Clean Energy Fund (CCEF), which uses the “green bank” model already in operation in over a dozen states to finance clean energy projects and bridge the gaps between businesses and private capital providers. By leveraging limited public funds, the CCEF can draw over $120 million of total investment and create over 2,000 in Colorado communities most impacted by climate change. The remaining funds will be allocated to proven programs within the Colorado Energy Office that support clean energy retrofits, energy-efficient new construction, clean energy lending and funding for the installation of EV charging stations at facilities across the state. “Home weatherization saves property owners money on their utility bills, lowers energy use, increases comfort, and creates good jobs for workers in this critical industry,” said Rep. Edie Hooton, D-Boulder. “This program will help thousands of Coloradans improve the energy efficiency of their homes through cost-effective services that also improve home values.” “New weatherization technologies, such as furnace safety testing or air sealing, help consumers save on their energy bills and reduce energy consumption,” said Rep. Mike Weissman, D-Aurora. “Boosting resources for the Weatherization Assistance Program will create jobs, reduce emissions that harm our environment, and help lower-income Coloradans make important home improvements that will lower their energy bills and also help protect our environment.” The Colorado Energy Office’s Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) offers free weatherization support for Colorado’s low-income residents. WAP works to maximize energy cost savings for each client by providing them with cost-effective energy efficiency services. The program’s services focus on the home as a system and include a variety of measures that improve the home’s energy efficiency. These cost-effective services reduce wasted energy and lower heating bill costs, while improving the overall comfort and safety of a home year-round, they include things like air sealing, furnace safety testing, LED light bulb retrofits, and more. SB21-231 , sponsored by Representatives Mike Weissman and Edie Hooton, passed by a vote of 43-20. The bill provides $3 million in additional funding to supplement the program’s $20 million budget. Under its current budget, the program only serves about 2,000 homes per year, although about 500,000 Colorado households could qualify. Previous Next

< Back April 25, 2023 Legislation to Build More Wildfire-Resilient Communities Presses Forward DENVER, CO - The House today passed legislation on a preliminary vote to put more money back into the pockets of hardworking Coloradans by expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit. “This legislation will increase the Earned Income and Child Tax Credits, putting thousands of dollars back into the pockets of hardworking people and lifting Coloradans out of poverty,” said Rep. Shannon Bird, D-Westminster. “Coloradans deserve a tax code that boosts their incomes and helps them build a better future for themselves and their families, and that’s exactly what this legislation does. We’re building on our work to increase tax benefits and to refund surplus state revenue in a way that helps all Coloradans thrive.” HB23-1112 expands the state Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC) and will return nearly $600 million more to hardworking families. Starting in tax year 2024, the Colorado EITC would increase from 25 percent to 40 percent of the federal EITC, a four fold increase from where it stood in 2020. Under the bill, the Colorado CTC increases by 10 percent, with the tax credit ranging from 20 to 70 percent of the federal CTC depending on marital status, number of qualifying children, and federal adjusted gross income. The federal Child Tax Credit has lifted over 57,000 Colorado kids out of poverty and helped over 630,000 families across the state, while the federal Earned Income Tax Credit has helped cut the national poverty rate in half . The bill builds on legislation passed by Colorado Democrats in recent years to make Colorado more affordable for working-class families. The General Assembly passed HB20-1420 and HB21-1311 , which at the time doubled the state's Earned Income Tax Credit and funded the Child Tax Credit, saving hundreds of thousands of Colorado families money. This session, Colorado Democrats passed HB23-1006 to require employers to provide information about federal and state earned income tax credits and child tax credits to their employees, spreading awareness to Colorado families that qualify for these tax credits to save them thousands of dollars. ### Previous Next

The House today passed legislation on a preliminary vote to increase access to veterinary care, especially in rural and underserved Colorado communities < Back February 9, 2024 McCormick Legislation to Increase Access to Veterinary Care Advances in House DENVER, CO – The House today passed legislation on a preliminary vote to increase access to veterinary care, especially in rural and underserved Colorado communities. HB24-1047 would allow veterinary technicians and veterinary technician specialists to perform additional tasks related to the care and treatment of animals. “We must take a responsible approach to address Colorado’s shortage in veterinary medicine that ensures the best care for our beloved pets and animals,” said Veterinarian Rep. Karen McCormick, D-Longmont. “This legislation will allow veterinary technicians to practice to the full extent of their training and expertise, thereby extending access to veterinary care across the state. My goal with this legislation is to ensure our pets and animals, especially in rural and underserved communities, have access to the veterinary care they need to keep them safe and healthy.” HB24-1047 , also sponsored by Representative Marc Caitlin, R-Montrose, would help address Colorado’s veterinary storage by allowing veterinarians who have established a veterinarian-client-patient relationship to delegate certain tasks to veterinary technicians and veterinary technician specialists. This bill aims to elevate the veterinary technician profession as mid-level providers. One piece of the puzzle toward addressing the veterinary crisis is to fully utilize the education, skill-set, and expertise of veterinary technicians and veterinary technician specialists in providing care to animals in our state. Additionally, to ensure Colorado’s animals are receiving high-quality care, HB24-1047 would establish a framework for supervision and delegation by veterinarians and requires continuing education for veterinary technicians and veterinary technician specialists. The House also passed HB24-1048 on a preliminary vote, sponsored by Representatives McCormick and Matthew Martinez, D-Monte Vista, to establish a framework and guidelines for the use of telehealth for veterinary services. Previous Next

House Democratic Leadership and JBC Members Shannon Bird and Emily Sirota today released the following statements on Governor Jared Polis’ call for a special session to address the disastrous impacts of Congressional Republicans’ federal budget bill: < Back August 6, 2025 House Leadership and JBC Members: Special Session Is Necessary to Address Disastrous Impacts of GOP’s Federal Budget Bill DENVER, CO– House Democratic Leadership and JBC Members Shannon Bird and Emily Sirota today released the following statements on Governor Jared Polis’ call for a special session to address the disastrous impacts of Congressional Republicans’ federal budget bill: “Republicans’ federal budget will both kick Coloradans off their health insurance and make health insurance more expensive for all Coloradans and by nearly 40 percent on the Western Slope, leaving us with no choice but to convene for a special legislative session to address the crisis the GOP has created,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “All Coloradans are now the collateral damage from the GOP’s cruel bill, which will jeopardize services for hardworking families, children, veterans and older Coloradans. We’ll work hard to minimize the fallout on our communities, but that requires us to act now to mitigate the harm this bill has caused our state.” “Coloradans cannot afford the GOP’s budget, which gives tax breaks to the wealthiest people and corporations at the expense of working families,” said Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. “When Congressional Republicans blew a $1 billion hole in our state budget, they failed our seniors, hard working parents, crime survivors and nearly everyone who relies on community-based services to make ends meet. Democrats will be offering responsible solutions to this budget crisis to help avoid painful cuts to core services people depend on.” “The GOP’s reckless budget has forced us to hold a special legislative session so we can protect Colorado from the billion-dollar hole Gabe Evans, Jeff Crank, Lauren Boebert and Jeff Hurd have created in our budget,” said JBC Vice Chair Shannon Bird, D-Westminster. “Three months ago, we made over $1 billion in budget cuts and adjourned with a balanced budget; now we’re facing another $1.2 billion deficit. I am deeply concerned by the pain the federal budget will inflict on vulnerable people and the increased costs on families. We are committed to finding responsible solutions, but this billion dollar hole in our state budget will require difficult decisions.” “The federal budget passed by the GOP Congress increases costs for middle class families, kicks Coloradans off their health insurance, and blows a billion-dollar hole in our state budget in order to give massive tax handouts to the wealthiest people and corporations,” said Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver, a member of the JBC. “Make no mistake, the GOP budget is a wealth transfer from the most vulnerable people who are struggling to make ends meet to billionaires. We have a choice to make now: We can continue tax handouts for the very wealthy or we can protect funding for education, public safety and health care for all Coloradans.” State economists anticipate an over $1 billion hole in the state budget for the current fiscal year that began on July 1, despite having a balanced budget when the legislature adjourned in May. Lawmakers already had to address a $1.2 billion deficit during the regular 2025 legislative session, and now face an additional $1.2 billion hole from H.R. 1. H.R.1 Devastates Colorado’s State Budget Both Legislative Council economists and the Office of State Planning and Budgeting (OSPB) estimate a revenue reduction of $1.2 billion this fiscal year (FY26), and OSBP estimates a reduction of $679 million in FY27 and future years. Forecasts estimate the state will be $783 million below the TABOR cap in this fiscal year (FY26), meaning that taxpayers will not receive TABOR refunds and there will not be surplus revenue available to pay for the Senior Homestead Exemption in FY27, creating additional pressures on the state General Fund. Federal Budget Bill Cuts Medicaid, Kicks Coloradans Off Health Insurance, and Raises Premiums Congressional Republicans’ refusal to extend enhanced premium tax credits in the federal budget bill for people who purchase health insurance through the Affordable Care Act marketplace, premiums for private health insurance are forecasted to go up an average of 28 percent with parts of Colorado, especially on the Western Slope, seeing premium increases of 38 percent. Colorado’s successful, bipartisan reinsurance program will be significantly reduced, and every Coloradan will pay more for their health insurance. Over 112,000 Coloradans who purchase their own insurance on the individual market could lose health insurance coverage, and many more will face higher premiums. Under H.R. 1, up to 193,000 Coloradans are expected to lose Medicaid health insurance coverage. Eventually, 377,000 Coloradans will be at risk of disenrollment from Medicaid. The federal budget slashes provider payments and cuts federal funding for Medicaid, Medicaid Expansion, programs for Coloradans with Disabilities, and CHP+ coverage for children and pregnant women. It also reduces reimbursements to Colorado hospitals. These cuts are expected to cost the state Medicaid program $2.5 billion by 2032. H.R.1’s Impacts Turn Off EITC and FATC for the Next Two Tax Years Reduced revenue means that the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) expansion and the Family Affordability Tax Credit (FATC) will be turned off for the next two tax years, increasing taxes for working people and families and taking money away from some of the most vulnerable Coloradans. With the EITC expansion and the FATC in effect, an average family with two children under six-years-old and an earned income of $50,000 would have received approximately $4,870 in tax credits. With the programs turned off, Colorado workers and families will receive $0. Changes to SNAP Will Affect 600,000 Coloradans Who Rely on Food Assistance H.R. 1 includes significant reductions to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and shifts the cost burden to states. Colorado expects to see $170 million in cuts to SNAP, affecting the more than 600,000 Coloradans who rely on SNAP to afford food for themselves and their families. Many participants will lose food assistance or be forced to overcome new administrative hurdles to demonstrate that they meet narrow work requirements. Rollback of Clean Energy Will Result in Higher Costs and Job Losses H.R. 1 rolls back, modifies or completely eliminates tax credits for energy-efficient new homes, residential clean energy and electric vehicles (EVs). An analysis of the final language estimates these policies will result in 1,950 jobs lost and a household income loss of $190 in Colorado, as well as increased energy costs for consumers. According to the Colorado Energy Office, H.R. 1 is projected to increase residential gas prices in Colorado by 3.4 percent by 2029 and electricity prices by up to 10 percent by 2035. Colorado households could see a $500 increase in annual energy costs by 2035. Previous Next