HB1040 – Adding Nuclear Energy as a Clean Energy Resource
The Colorado Union of Taxpayers (CUT) supports this bill. This bill updates the statutory definition of Clean Energy to include nuclear power, which means nuclear power may be used by a qualifying retail utility to meet the 2050 clean energy target. While CUT believes that all energy sources should be available and used, this is at least a good step at getting a more reliable source available for Coloradans.
Sponsors: Alex Valdez (D), Ty Winter (R), Larry Liston (R), Dylan Roberts (D)
Bill Status: In Committee
HB1051 – Repeal Recycled Paper Carryout Bag Fee
The Colorado Union of Taxpayers (CUT) supports this bill. The law as it stands is an annoyance to customers and retailers. It is an inappropriate function of government to decide the type of bag we may use. What twisted logic to tell citizens, who buy tons of products packaged in plastic, that plastic bags were such a threat. Curiously, the plastic bags from the produce section and the ones we purchase are alright. Where is the logic in the fee? It seems the government does nothing to produce or distribute paper bags or even collect the fees. Additionally, these bags are a reduction in quality from previously permitted plastic bags and therefore a detriment rather than a benefit to the payers. It is therefore a “tax,” not a “fee.”
Sponsors: Ryan Gonzalez (R), Rose Pugliese (R), Byron Pelton (R), Carlos Barron (R), Max Brooks (R), Jarvis Caldwell (R), Tony Hartsook (R), Dusty Johnson (R), Dan Woog (R)
Bill Status: Dead
HB1055 – Repeal Firearm Dealer Requirements & State Permit
The Colorado Union of Taxpayers (CUT) supports this bill. Anytime there’s a chance of getting rid of useless legislation, it’s a good thing, especially when the law is a violation of our constitutional rights. As it stands, the law costs the state revenue and therefore taxpayers for the bureaucracy (25 FTE) it requires. The bill imposes costs on businesses and therefore their customers. The bill duplicates federal law. The state stands to face daunting lawsuits challenging this law. These suits will be costly to all state citizens. The bill also contains a safety clause.
Sponsors: Max Brooks (R)
Bill Status: In Committee
HB1068 – Malpractice Insurers Gender-Affirming Care Minors
The Colorado Union of Taxpayers (CUT) supports this bill. The current law mandates that medical castration be covered. This bill will remove mandates so the cost of insurance will be lowered for all. This procedure should be considered elective and the cost of insurance not forced on the public to pay for it. This bill would remove the perverse incentive to provide damaging, expensive, life-long treatments. The Safety Clause is justified to bring the cost of insurance down immediately in these challenging fiscal times. The bill also contains a safety clause.
Sponsors: Scott Bottoms (R), Mark Baisley (R)
Bill Status: Dead
HB1089 – County Mail Ballot Signature Verification Requirements
The Colorado Union of Taxpayers (CUT) supports this bill. We were surprised to find that some counties are currently using only a 1 person view of voter signatures. We believe that this bill is a great move in the direction of greater election integrity, and a Win-Win for voter confidence. Our only quibble here is that the bill only ‘allows’ bi-partisan teams, rather than a requirement to do so. We note that this would all be moot if we were to return to in person voting, with photo ID required. Our democrat constitutional republican form of government depends on citizen confidence in election results.
Sponsors: Chris Richardson (R), Mark Baisley (R)
Bill Status: In Committee
HB1092 – Rent Increases by Landlord to Tenant
The Colorado Union of Taxpayers (CUT) supports this bill. This bill presented a bit of a quandary in our discussion. We wonder why government should involve itself in a private matter, as it is a contract between private parties. But in the end, this bill does offer an improvement over existing law by providing some protection for landlords while offering safeguards for tenants as well.
Sponsors: Ty Winter (R), Byron Pelton (R)
Bill Status: In Committee
HB1100 – Requirements for Filling Certain Vacancies in Offices
The Colorado Union of Taxpayers (CUT) supports this bill. The bill makes the process of filling vacancies less cumbersome, more transparent and allows the committee time to provide required notification to fill the vacancy.
Sponsors: Stephanie Luck (R)
Bill Status: In Committee
HB1102 – Repeal National Popular Vote Compact
The Colorado Union of Taxpayers (CUT) supports this bill. The Founders understood the danger of a national popular vote for president – a few high population areas would run the country. The electoral college was designed to eliminate that. Had the compact been in place in 2024, Colorado’s electoral college votes would have gone to the candidate who did not win the popular vote in Colorado. By removing Colorado from the National Popular Vote Compact, our votes as a state will remain in accordance with the will of the people of this state.
Sponsors: Ken DeGraaf (R), Carlos Barron (R), Jarvis Caldwell (R)
Bill Status: Dead
HB1104 – Squatting Prohibited
The Colorado Union of Taxpayers (CUT) supports this bill. Very common sense bill. It strengthens the right of property ownership by providing a legal mechanism to evict and convict squatters.
Sponsors: Rebecca Keltie (R)
Bill Status: Dead
HB1107 – Rule Adoption & Review Requirements
The Colorado Union of Taxpayers (CUT) supports this bill. We totally support accountability and transparency when it comes to the spending of our tax dollars etc.
Sponsors: Ryan Gonzalez (R)
Bill Status: Dead
COSB056 – Reduce Premium Cigar Excise Tax Rate
The Colorado Union of Taxpayers (CUT) supports this bill. CUT supports tax decreases! We do ask why just premium cigars why not all cigars? The bill also contains a safety clause.
Sponsors: Tom Sullivan (D)
Bill Status: Dead
COSB057 – Noncitizen Voter Registration Cancellation
The Colorado Union of Taxpayers (CUT) supports this bill. This bill would increase confidence in our elections by cleaning up the voter lists and removing non-citizens.
Sponsors: Mark Baisley (R), Chris Richardson (R)
Bill Status: Dead
HB1005 – Tax Incentive for Film Festivals
The Colorado Union of Taxpayers (CUT) opposes this bill. This bill is a very targeted tax break that benefits only one industry. It demonstrates government favoritism for selected groups. A better way would be to lower taxes for all businesses to stimulate growth and let the free market determine winners and losers.
Sponsors: Julie McCluskie (D), Brianna Titone (D), Judith Amabile (D), Mark Baisley (R)
Bill Status: In Committee
HB1010 – Prohibiting Price Gouging in Sales of Necessities
The Colorado Union of Taxpayers (CUT) opposes this bill. This bill prohibits price increases over 10% for “necessities.” This is the first step to price controls – a slippery slope to the state setting prices on all commodities. The bill’s use of many undefined terms will invite lawsuits. Who determines what a “necessity” is? This bill could easily lead to product scarcity or unavailability, as with inflation, costs of business operation are increasing greatly (cost of product, transportation, labor, etc.) forcing increased prices. Stop over-regulating our businesses!
Sponsors: Kyle Brown (D), Yara Zokaie (D), Michael Weissman (D), Chad Clifford (D), Lorena García (D), Javier Mabrey (D), Manny Rutinel (D), Lesley Smith (D), Rebekah Stewart (D), Elizabeth Velasco (D), Julie Gonzales (D), Sonya Jaquez Lewis (D)
Bill Status: Crossed Over
HB1032 – Improving Infrastructure to Reduce Homelessness
The Colorado Union of Taxpayers (CUT) opposes this bill. This bill creates an interagency council on homelessness and an advisory council to the interagency council. It also allows creation of Regional Homelessness Response Districts with taxing authority, including sales and use tax, property tax, and fees on documentary filings in the conveying of real property. None of the costs or fees/taxes generated by this bill are specified. This has the risk of being a real boondoggle with a high price tag. Moreover, the councils include organizations which could benefit from state expenditures. This bill is also an example of the State taking over a local issue when local government and charities are in a much better position to address the homeless situation in their communities.
Sponsors: Manny Rutinel (D)
Bill Status: In Committee
HB1042 – Air Quality Control Regulation Workforce Impact
The Colorado Union of Taxpayers (CUT) opposes this bill. This bill establishes a workforce advisory council to develop recommendations and procedures regarding workforce impact of air quality and also establishes a full-time workforce advocate position. This is a $213K expenditure this year and $86K/year ongoing for the purposes of making more rules and regulations. The State does not have the money for more studies and councils designed purely to increase rules. The bill also contains a safety clause.
Sponsors: Shannon Bird (D), Lindsey Daugherty (D)
Bill Status: In Committee
HB1043 – Owner Equity Protection in Homeowners’ Association Foreclosure Sales
The Colorado Union of Taxpayers (CUT) opposes this bill. It is not the role of state government to get involved in HOAs. This bill requires the Division of Real Estate to collect more data thereby adding cost to state government. The requirement for HOAs to report this data adds cost to homeowners. Mandates credit counseling at unit owner’s expense. The requirement that HOAs bid to purchase delinquent property forces the HOA into a property investment business for which most HOAs are not equipped. This could either 1.) impose large costs onto the other homeowners, or 2.) result in HOAs not enforcing payment rules. Either outcome would strain HOAs and increase costs to compliant homeowners. Neither outcome helps with the concern for “affordable housing.”
Sponsors: Naquetta Ricks (D), Tony Exum (D), Chad Clifford (D), Javier Mabrey (D)
Bill Status: In Committee
HB1044 – Local Funding for Vulnerable Road User Protection
The Colorado Union of Taxpayers (CUT) opposes this bill. Protection of citizens is a proper role of government. But citizens are also obligated to use good judgment and precaution. This bill places the onus for cyclist safety on motor vehicles, with yet even more fees on vehicle registration. The bill rationalizes the term “fee” rather than “tax” through its purported benefit to vehicle owners through anticipated lower insurance rates. This is doubtful. Furthermore, the bill exempts the fee collection from TABOR preventing over-collection from ever being refunded to the taxpayer. Additionally, government-owned vehicles are exempt from the fee (are they never a risk to vulnerable road users?). How about instead, the protected class (bicyclists) pay the fee? Plus, the state doesn’t need to encourage local governments to do this. We have this type of boondoggle already in Lakewood and Denver and it is the bane of most residents. We have bicycle lanes protected by white pipes sticking up out of the asphalt reducing the width of car lanes. Absolute catastrophe for snow removal. The bill requires counties to collect the fees and send them to the state which then in turn sends them back – how’s that for government efficiency! Last, the bill inappropriately uses the Safety Clause. There is no way these projects would be significantly impacted by a 90-day pause for citizen challenge. Road improvement projects require design authorization, design solicitation, design, construction authorization, construction solicitation, construction and commissioning. The bill also contains a safety clause.
Sponsors: Andrew Boesenecker (D), Lisa Cutter (D), Faith Winter (D), Meg Froelich (D), Mandy Lindsay (D), Tisha Mauro (D)
Bill Status: Dead
HB1078 – Forestry & Firefighter Workforce & Education
The Colorado Union of Taxpayers (CUT) opposes this bill. Recruiting and training young adults for the arduous task of fighting wildfires is an admirable undertaking. But this task should be undertaken with existing funding, not additional funding. CUT believes that this is money that would be better spent in preventing fires, e.g. clearing out the underbrush which fuels the fire. And we are always leery of the Gifts, Grants, and Donations clause which could be used to accrue funds for another purpose. And then there is the inappropriate use of the Safety Clause. The bill also contains a safety clause.
Sponsors: Andrew Boesenecker (D), Elizabeth Velasco (D), Lisa Cutter (D), Janice Marchman (D), Tisha Mauro (D)
Bill Status: In Committee
HB1080 – Wireless Telephone Infrastructure Deployment Incentives
The Colorado Union of Taxpayers (CUT) opposes this bill. Having a good wireless connection is desirable of course, but a “nice-to-have” cell phone connection is not the proper role of government, nor the obligation of other taxpayers. We could spend this money, and with the speed of telecommunication advances, have our investment obsoleted quickly. This bill dips into the TABOR refunds of all Coloradoans with its $254,000 price tag. The bill also contains a safety clause.
Sponsors: Dylan Roberts (D), Perry Will (R)
Bill Status: In Committee
HB1093 – Limitations on Local Anti-Growth Land Use Policies
The Colorado Union of Taxpayers (CUT) supports this bill. While we appreciate the spirit of this bill, we believe that all taxpayers should be treated impartially. Property taxes are too high for all Coloradans and would ask that both sides of the aisle come together to lower property taxes across the board.
Sponsors: Carlos Barron (R), Rebekah Stewart (D), Matt Ball (D)
Bill Status: In Committee
HB1111 – Expand Homestead Exemptions
The Colorado Union of Taxpayers (CUT) opposes this bill. We find this bill to be an attack on local government control and perhaps inspired by a legislator’s desire to see more high-density housing. This ‘boot on the throat’ of local municipalities does not sit well with us, and our opposition is unanimous. Local governments may wish to manage their growth, as it brings with it congestion and demands on resources such as police and schools. Noteworthy that the bill only has a single sponsor, from the metro Denver area. Doubtful that any consideration of rural areas was given.
Sponsors: Ken DeGraaf (R)
Bill Status: In Committee
HB1112 – Local Authorities Enforce Vehicle Registration
The Colorado Union of Taxpayers (CUT) opposes this bill. Colorado could make life more affordable by lowering vehicle registration fees for all Coloradans. This legislature should stop the designation of people into different groups and should stop treating them differently. Equal treatment under the law is a foundational principle of America.
Sponsors: Eliza Hamrick (D), Brianna Titone (D), Tony Exum (D)
Bill Status: In Committee
HB1128 – Income Tax Credit for Firearm Safety Device
The Colorado Union of Taxpayers (CUT) opposes this bill. This bill creates a new income tax requirement equal to the cost of a storage device for firearms, not to exceed $200. This is another special interest tax credit. It is up to the gun owner to secure their guns – not the taxpayer.
Sponsors: Cecelia Espenoza (D), Kyle Mullica (D)
Bill Status: In Committee
HB1157 – Reauthorize Advanced Industries Tax Credit
The Colorado Union of Taxpayers (CUT) opposes this bill. This bill extends a program that gives special tax treatment for certain businesses. All businesses are in competition and should receive the same tax treatment. This bill is discriminatory. It would be better to lower taxes for all taxpayers.
Sponsors: William Lindstedt (D), Brianna Titone (D), Mark Baisley (R), Marc Snyder (D)
Bill Status: In Committee
COSB004 – Regulating Child Care Center Fees
The Colorado Union of Taxpayers (CUT) opposes this bill. This bill limits the amount of money a childcare facility can charge to be on a wait list. This interference into private business is not the proper role for government. Additional rules and regulations will only further decrease the amount of childcare services available.
Sponsors: Janice Marchman (D), Faith Winter (D), Lorena García (D), Jenny Willford (D)
Bill Status: In Committee
COSB008 – Adjust Necessary Document Program
The Colorado Union of Taxpayers (CUT) opposes this bill. It is not appropriate for government to waive fees for some and not for all. This is another case of making some taxpayers pay to let others get a service for free.
Sponsors: Nick Hinrichsen (D), Cathy Kipp (D), Meg Froelich (D)
Bill Status: In Committee
COSB011 – Detection Components for Wildfire Mitigation
The Colorado Union of Taxpayers (CUT) opposes this bill. CUT is not entirely in agreement – most members oppose. Our current situation regarding federal and state forest upkeep is dismal. Colorado is ripe for a catastrophic fire in different parts of the state. But benefits are projected, with no guarantee of results. We are skeptical of public-private partnerships and of gifts, grants and donations due to strings attached and the potential for spending on unintended uses. Instead, spend $7 million on clearing underbrush, and those results ARE guaranteed to reduce wildfires, and spread of wildfires.
Sponsors: Lindsey Daugherty (D), Kyle Brown (D), Ron Weinberg (R)
Bill Status: In Committee
COSB017 – Measures to Support Early Childhood Health
The Colorado Union of Taxpayers (CUT) opposes this bill. Government should not be interfering with private daycare and certainly should not be tracking the mental health of our individual children. The relevance of health care to education is doubtful. This bill is expensive, intrusive, and unclear about its purpose. Use of the safety clause is totally inappropriate and suspicious when this program involves collecting personal data about children.
Sponsors: Lisa Cutter (D)
Bill Status: In Committee
COSB020 – Tenant and Landlord Law Enforcement
The Colorado Union of Taxpayers (CUT) opposes this bill. Giving receivership authority to run an apartment is profound expansion of Government power. The provisions in the bill already exist, as we saw in Aurora when the courts exercised authority over Tren de Argua infested apartments. Would this have made a difference there when the mayor said there is no issue? Seems like local county health departments already have authority over some of these concerns.
Sponsors: Julie Gonzales (D), Michael Weissman (D), Mandy Lindsay (D), Javier Mabrey (D)
Bill Status: In Committee
COSB033 – Prohibit New Liquor-Licensed Drug Stores
The Colorado Union of Taxpayers (CUT) opposes this bill. The bill would restrict competition in this business – a sure way to raise prices. Neither the text of the bill, nor the summary appear to provide justification for restricting pharmacies from selling liquor. This bill does not address an emergency and should not include the safety clause. The bill also contains a safety clause.
Sponsors: Judith Amabile (D), Dylan Roberts (D), Naquetta Ricks (D), Ron Weinberg (R), Cleave Simpson (R), Jennifer Bacon (D), Shannon Bird (D), Andrew Boesenecker (D), Kyle Brown (D), Chad Clifford (D), Javier Mabrey (D), Julie McCluskie (D), Karen McCormick (D)
Bill Status: In Committee
COSB034 – Voluntary Do-Not-Sell Firearms Waiver
The Colorado Union of Taxpayers (CUT) opposes this bill. This bill makes no sense. If someone doesn’t want to purchase a firearm, he doesn’t do so. There is no compulsion for the purchase of firearms. Spending taxpayer money setting up a government waiver program to prevent someone from doing what he’s already decided not to do is absurd. Why should participants be put in federal or state do-not-purchase data base (and then make pious statements about confidentiality)?
Sponsors: Cathy Kipp (D), Andrew Boesenecker (D)
Bill Status: In Committee
COSB037 – Coal Transition Grants
The Colorado Union of Taxpayers (CUT) opposes this bill. The taxpayers cannot afford to compensate for the loss of businesses that the state destroyed. The proper remedy is to undo the legislation that ended the coal business. Where are the solar and wind industries that were going to employ these people?
Sponsors: Barbara Kirkmeyer (R), Dylan Roberts (D), Tisha Mauro (D), Rick Taggart (R)
Bill Status: In Committee
COSB055 – Youth Involvement in Environmental Justice
The Colorado Union of Taxpayers (CUT) opposes this bill. Decisions as to the manner as this is done ought to be made by informed persons making rational decisions that are in the interest of the taxpayers (which is all of us). This bill should be titled “The Greta Thunberg Act of 2025.”
Sponsors: Janice Marchman (D), Faith Winter (D), Jennifer Bacon (D), Junie Joseph (D), Judith Amabile (D), Matt Ball (D), Jeff Bridges (D), James Coleman (D), Lisa Cutter (D), Tony Exum (D), Julie Gonzales (D), Sonya Jaquez Lewis (D), Iman Jodeh (D), Chris Kolker (D), Dafna Michaelson Jenet (D), Tom Sullivan (D), Michael Weissman (D)
Bill Status: Crossed Over
COSB081 – Treasurer’s Office
The Colorado Union of Taxpayers (CUT) opposes this bill. This is a blatant end-run around TABOR by enabling this new unelected agency its own bond issuing authority thereby bypassing voters for new debt. This is the very opposite of transparency, fiscal prudence, & sound management.
Sponsors: Judith Amabile (D), Jeff Bridges (D), Shannon Bird (D)
Bill Status: In Committee
