HB1067 – Criminal Asset Forfeiture Act
The Colorado Union of Taxpayers (CUT) supports this bill. We had near unanimous support for this long overdue bill. Persons suspected of crimes are much different than persons convicted of crimes. “Due process” is a real Constitutional thing.
Sponsors: Ken Degraaf (R)*, Mark Baisley(R)*
Bill Status: In Committee
HB1118 – Catalytic Converter Replacement Exemption
The Colorado Union of Taxpayers (CUT) supports this bill. CUT members were divided with a majority favoring this bill. Catalytic converters are expensive and have recently been a theft problem. Also, the Governor’s Energy Office recently incorporated California emissions standards into Colorado law which mandate converter replacement with those made by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM). The OEM converters are typically much more expensive than after-market items which meet federal standards. OEM can also be difficult to obtain, especially for older vehicles. This places an unfair burden on Colorado citizens. The bill will probably have a zero or negligible effect on emissions. The bill does not appear to have any fiscal impact on the state and does not add any new agency or employees. It is puzzling and unfortunate that the bill includes an expiration date of July 1, 2027.
Sponsors: Javier Mabrey(D)*, Tisha Mauro (D)*
Bill Status: In Committee
HB1121 – Permanent Trailer Registration
The Colorado Union of Taxpayers (CUT) supports this bill. Owners of multiple trailers, e.g. trucking companies and farmers/ranchers are unduly burdened with having to re-register trailers every year. This bill proposes a 10-year registration, with owners paying 10-years of registration fees in advance. This is a good commonsense bill. Taxing entities receive tax revenues in advance and owners are relieved of the burden of annual re-registration. We would like to see the same offering for cars, motorcycles, and RVs.
Sponsors: Larry Suckla (R)*, Chris Richardson (R)*
Bill Status: In Committee
HB1126 – Public Utilities Commission Membership Geographic Representation
The Colorado Union of Taxpayers (CUT) supports this bill. It is our hope that this bill makes the PUC less metro-centric, and that the governor would use this opportunity to do so with his 2 new appointments. Of course, we would much prefer that the PUC be elected, rather than appointed.
Sponsors: Matt Martinez(D)*, Ty Winter (R)*, Byron Pelton (R)*
Bill Status: In Committee
HB1144 – Repeal Retail Delivery Fees
The Colorado Union of Taxpayers (CUT) supports this bill. The state never provided any sort of service in connection with retail deliveries and so this never could have properly been called a fee. It is a tax. This law allowed other unrelated entities to receive funds. In 2021 the bill to begin this “tax” was signed into law. By coincidence, in 2021 the COMMUNITY ACCESS ENTERPRISE was also formed from this money to support statewide use of EV transportation funding to subsidize EVs and e-bikes. And so, this law is a mechanism to divert consumer’s money into select businesses. Eliminating this tax will save consumers’ money.
Sponsors: Dan Woog (R)*
Bill Status: Dead
COSB028 – Public Employees’ Retirement Association Risk-Reduction Measures
The Colorado Union of Taxpayers (CUT) supports this bill. This bill requires the Public Employees’ Retirement Association (PERA) to conduct its periodical actuarial audit on a four-year schedule, and for the Pension Review Subcommittee to conduct its independent review within three months of the actuarial audit. PERA represents a significant financial risk to the State and its taxpayers so an increase in audits and tying them to the Pension Review Subcommittee schedule is a good idea. The bill also contains a safety clause.
Sponsors: Chris Kolker (D)*, Faith Winter (D)*, Eliza Hamrick (D)*,Rick Taggart (R)*,Cathy Kipp (D)*, Marc Snyder (D)*, Jeff Bridges (D), James Coleman (D), Lisa Cutter (D), Iman Jodeh (D), Janice Marchman (D), Dafna Michaelson Jenet (D)
Bill Status: Crossed Over
COSB117 – Reduce Transportation Costs Imposed by Government
The Colorado Union of Taxpayers (CUT) supports this bill. This bill repeals certain transportation-related fees and makes changes to certain transportation-related enterprises. Fees will be reduced by $258.9M in the 2025-2026 fiscal year, by $302.5M next year and more in following years. CUT strongly supports the reduction of these fees and curtailing of these numerous impacted enterprises which are outside of TABOR. Highway related funding should be managed by, and be a priority of, the Legislature – not these individual enterprises which tax Coloradans through fees. The bill also contains a safety clause.
Sponsors: Scott Bright (R)*, Mark Baisley(R)*, John Carson (R)*, Marc Catlin (R)*, Lisa Frizell (R)*, Barbara Kirkmeyer (R)*, Larry Liston (R)*, Paul Lundeen (R)*, Byron Pelton (R)*,Rod Pelton (R)*, Janice Rich (R)*,Cleave Simpson (R)*
Bill Status: Dead
COSB141 – Municipal Government Exemption from Energy Code Requirements
The Colorado Union of Taxpayers (CUT) supports this bill. This bill exempts any municipality with a population under 2,500 residents from the energy code requirements. CUT supports this reduction of regulation and costs for our smaller municipalities. Why don’t we do the same for larger cities too to help both city and housing affordability?
Sponsors: Rod Pelton (R)*, Ty Winter (R)*
Bill Status: In Committee
HB1021 – Tax Incentives for Employee-Owned Businesses
The Colorado Union of Taxpayers (CUT) opposes this bill. We like the idea, but do not believe that this is the proper role of government. Paraphrasing a great friend of CUT, “If something is a good idea, we shouldn’t have to coerce people into doing it.”
Sponsors: William Lindstedt (D)*, Rick Taggart (R)*, Jeff Bridges (D)*
Bill Status: In Committee
HB1028 – Modifications to Address Confidentiality Program
The Colorado Union of Taxpayers (CUT) opposes this bill. We were closely divided on this bill, seeing both pros and cons. But in the end, it came down to the unnecessary use of the Safety Clause. The Safety Clause should be used rarely and reserved for times when public safety is in imminent danger. The bill also contains a safety clause.
Sponsors: Jacqueline Phillips (D)*, Yara Zokaie (D)*
Bill Status: In Committee
HB1090 – Protections Against Deceptive Pricing Practices
The Colorado Union of Taxpayers (CUT) opposes this bill. Like most people, we are against deceptive pricing. But this bill is overly onerous on retailers and meddles into private affairs like landlord/renter contracts.
Sponsors: Naquetta Ricks (D)*, Emily Sirota (D)*, Lisa Cutter (D)*, Michael Weissman (D)*
Bill Status: In Committee
HB1113 – Limit Turf in New Residential Development
The Colorado Union of Taxpayers (CUT) opposes this bill. We had unanimous consensus in opposing this intrusion into local control and property rights. Is the desire for control over people’s lives insatiable?
Sponsors: Karen McCormick (D)*, Lesley Smith (D)*, Dylan Roberts (D)*
Bill Status: In Committee
HB1119 – Require Disclosures of Climate Emissions
The Colorado Union of Taxpayers (CUT) opposes this bill. We did not find it surprising that the bill sponsor found no co-sponsors. The burden to be imposed on business is staggering, and of no obvious purpose. We ask who will receive and read this information from thousands of companies? And what will be done with this information? We urge legislators to vote no on this onerous bill.
Sponsors: Manny Rutinel (D)*
Bill Status: In Committee
HB1130 – Labor Requirements for Government Construction Projects
The Colorado Union of Taxpayers (CUT) opposes this bill. This is an intrusion of government into private business. There is no evident need for requiring worker participation in an apprenticeship program. The state has no proper role in the operation of private companies, in this case construction company employee selection. Why would apprenticeship programs need to be standardized? The bill also includes a requirement for union labor agreements. This will increase project labor costs. The fiscal note only indicates $73,000 and 1 FTE. But that is just to administer the program. It does not count how much the cost of every public works project will increase. Regulations like this are the reason why Colorado’s economy is no longer competitive.
Sponsors: Michael Carter (D)*, Monica Duran (D)*, Jessie Danielson (D)*
Bill Status: In Committee
HB1149 – Comprehensive Black History & Culture Education in K-12
The Colorado Union of Taxpayers (CUT) opposes this bill. This type of legislation polarizes and divides us even more. Other ethnicities have likewise contributed to US and Colorado history, but they are not represented by a special committee, nor by any part of this bill, so this bill is racially discriminatory. With there already being a Black History Month, we suspect that this information is already widely taught. School instructional hours are limited. This bill should not even be considered until students are performing at grade level in the basic topics of reading and math. The 17-member committee this bill sets up is enormous; crowd control techniques may be necessary. This bill does not address any sort of emergency so use of the safety clause is improper. The bill also contains a safety clause.
Sponsors: Regina English (D)*, Tony Exum (D)*
Bill Status: In Committee
HB1160 – Youth Prevention Mental Health Pilot Program
The Colorado Union of Taxpayers (CUT) opposes this bill. This bill does not define the objectives of this costly trial program, nor does it define what would be defined as successful. The fiscal note cites the relationship between New Jersey and Kooth Digital Health but does not mention that that contract was effective December 2024, only 2 months ago. Kooth is a European company promising a lot, while also trying to raise money. Once a “pilot program” is in place it becomes ongoing. Who designs the “tool”? Will parents be aware of this? Online private counseling sounds creepy and unaccountable. Who will be aware of what the student says? It states it “assumes” schools will only choose to participate if resources are available. Schools will most assuredly choose, but they will come to the legislature to implement at state expense.
Sponsors: Lori Garcia Sander (R)*, Meghan Lukens (D)*, Dafna Michaelson Jenet (D)*
Bill Status: Dead
HB1161 – Labeling Gas-Fueled Stoves
The Colorado Union of Taxpayers (CUT) opposes this bill. Gas-fired cooking appliances have been in use for about 100 years, and now we suddenly need safety labels? If someone doesn’t read the documentation when they buy an appliance, they aren’t going to read a label either. This is a conflict of interest for the sponsor. His website lists him as. “Renewable energy entrepreneur”. This would help promote whatever Rep. Valdez works for. The bill also contains a safety clause.
Sponsors: Alex Valdez(D)*
Bill Status: In Committee
HB1162 – Eligibility Redetermination for Medicaid Members
The Colorado Union of Taxpayers (CUT) opposes this bill. Decreasing the frequency of evaluations from one- to three-years increases the potential for non-qualified applicants to receive benefits. If a person is receiving medical care through government funds, it’s not unreasonable for them to be subject to yearly income verifications. It is inappropriate for medical staff to be filling out the forms when they are on the receiving end of the funding. Lastly, the bill comes with a high price, adds 2 FTEs and assumes the federal government will pay half. Seems like a dubious assumption given the condition of the federal budget and its mood of cutting.
Sponsors: Lisa Feret (D)*, Lindsey Daugherty(D)*
Bill Status: In Committee
HB1169 – Housing Developments on Faith and Educational Land
The Colorado Union of Taxpayers (CUT) opposes this bill. This bill inserts the state into matters of local government. Local governments are closer and more accountable to their constituents than the state and more responsive to local preferences. Zoning decisions made in the past should not be capriciously swept away by state government fiat. Unintended negative consequences, especially to local citizens, may result. It appears this is an avenue to develop “tiny home” communities on tax exempt property, so no property tax revenue is collected. The Safety Clause should not have been used. This bill is of particular interest to citizens and should therefore be subject to referendum. The bill also contains a safety clause.
Sponsors: Andrew Boesenecker (D)*, Javier Mabrey(D)*, Tony Exum (D)*, Julie Gonzales (D)*, Sean Camacho (D)*, Mandy Lindsay(D)*, William Lindstedt (D)*,Rebekah Stewart (D)*, Jenny Willford (D)*, Yara Zokaie (D)*, Lisa Cutter (D)*, Iman Jodeh (D)*,Cathy Kipp (D)*, Faith Winter (D)*
Bill Status: In Committee
HB1239 – Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act
The Colorado Union of Taxpayers (CUT) opposes this bill. Preventing discrimination based on ability is worthy. However, the level of penalty in this bill is excessive. This seems to be designed more to encourage litigation than to create an accommodating environment for the disabled. The bill fails to define what accommodation would be considered “reasonable.” Making accommodations is often difficult and the results less than ideal. Yet, the bill does not place a limit on the demands for accommodations, nor a limit as to when the business becomes liable for a large penalty.
Sponsors: Yara Zokaie (D)*, Lindsey Daugherty(D)*, Michael Weissman (D)*, Dylan Roberts (D)*
Bill Status: In Committee
COSB012 – Financial Assistance for County Jails
The Colorado Union of Taxpayers (CUT) opposes this bill. While this bill addresses a legitimate government function, it uses state funds to subsidize select areas of the state. The bill states that grants are to be given on priority based on need. However, one can always rationalize a financial “need.” So, this appears to set up a slush fund. Because the bill encourages “underutilized” grant funding, there will be additional state expenditures for this program. We note that county commissioners will seize onto this as an opportunity to seek funding they otherwise would have postponed. This bill does not address anything that could remotely be called an emergency; the safety clause should not be so abused. The bill also contains a safety clause.
Sponsors: Judith Amabile (D)*, Julie Gonzales (D)*,Ryan Armagost (R)*
Bill Status: Dead
COSB113 – Mid-Year Adjustments to School Funding
The Colorado Union of Taxpayers (CUT) opposes this bill. This bill from the Joint Budget Committee increases the state share of school districts’ total program funding by $64,076,611 for the 2024-25 budget year due to increased total enrollment (although lower at-risk students) and lower than expected local property tax support of schools. CUT opposes due to poor initial forecasting, the total budget shortfall that already exists and the low school performance. How much of the increased enrollment is due to undocumented immigrants and should taxpayers pay for this additional burden? The bill also contains a safety clause.
Sponsors: Jeff Bridges (D)*, Barbara Kirkmeyer (R)*, Shannon Bird (D)*,Rick Taggart (R)*, Judith Amabile (D)*, Emily Sirota (D)*,Chad Clifford (D), Monica Duran (D),Ryan Gonzalez(R),Rebecca Keltie (R), Sheila Lieder (D), Tisha Mauro (D), Julie McCluskie (D), Tammy Story(D), Alex Valdez(D)
Bill Status: Passed
COSB118 – Health Insurance Prenatal Care No Cost Sharing
The Colorado Union of Taxpayers (CUT) opposes this bill. This bill prohibits state-regulated insurance plans from imposing cost sharing requirements on maternity coverage. While pre-natal care is important, every time a benefit is added for a special group, the cost of insurance goes up for all rate payers – or in the case of government funded programs, for all taxpayers.
Sponsors: Jeff Bridges (D)*, Iman Jodeh (D)*
Bill Status: In Committee
COSB129 – Legally Protected Health-Care Activity Protections
The Colorado Union of Taxpayers (CUT) opposes this bill. This bill strengthens protections for some questionable healthcare activity, including gender-affirming and reproductive health care. In particular this bill would restrict cooperation with other states or organizations investigating their citizens receiving services prohibited in their home states. This bill protects practitioners of certain medical practices euphemistically called “gender affirming care” and “reproductive health care” which in fact may be damaging. Do we really want Colorado to become the “go to” state for these debatable surgeries? The bill also contains a safety clause.
Sponsors: Lisa Cutter (D)*, Faith Winter (D)*, Junie Joseph (D)*, Karen McCormick (D)*, Judith Amabile (D)*, Matt Ball (D)*, Jeff Bridges (D)*, Jessie Danielson (D)*, Lindsey Daugherty(D)*, Julie Gonzales (D)*, Nick Hinrichsen (D)*, Iman Jodeh (D)*,Cathy Kipp (D)*,Chris Kolker (D)*, Janice Marchman (D)*,Dafna Michaelson Jenet (D)*,Robert Rodriguez(D)*, Marc Snyder (D)*, Tom Sullivan (D)*, Michael Weissman (D)*, Jennifer Bacon (D)*, Andrew Boesenecker (D)*, Kyle Brown (D)*, Sean Camacho (D)*, Michael Carter (D)*,Chad Clifford (D)*,Cecelia Espenoza (D)*, Meg Froelich (D)*, Lorena García (D)*, Lindsay Gilchrist (D)*, Eliza Hamrick (D)*, Sheila Lieder (D)*, William Lindstedt (D)*, Meghan Lukens (D)*, Javier Mabrey(D)*, Matt Martinez(D)*,Gretchen Rydin (D)*, Lesley Smith (D)*, Katie Stewart (D)*,Rebekah Stewart (D)*, Tammy Story(D)*, Brianna Titone (D)*, Alex Valdez(D)*, Elizabeth Velasco (D)*, Jenny Willford (D)*, Steven Woodrow(D)*, Yara Zokaie (D)*
Bill Status: In Committee
COSB150 – Pilot Program for Youth in Foster Care
The Colorado Union of Taxpayers (CUT) opposes this bill. This bill establishes a pilot program to provide $2000 for foster families to be used to further education and $1000 for foster youths who successfully graduate from high school. There is no estimate on the total cost to the State and if the aim is to make this a state-wide, permanent program, the cost could be very high at the time we are already having budget problems. There is no accountability for how this money is to be spent – especially for the high school graduation award. This is not a good expenditure of funds in times of tight budgets.
Sponsors: Dafna Michaelson Jenet (D)*, Lindsay Gilchrist (D)*
Bill Status: In Committee
COSB158 – State Agency Procurement & Disposal Certain Items
The Colorado Union of Taxpayers (CUT) opposes this bill. This bill updates procurement requirements for firearms and related materials, and establishes procedures for state agencies to dispose of firearms. Of particular concern is that the bill mandates destruction of old firearms instead of receiving credit for them in the purchase of new firearms. This credit loss is $45K in the first year and increases in subsequent years, plus increased costs in destruction of the firearms. The bill is also an underhanded attack on the 2nd amendment as used firearms will now not be available for citizen purchase. The total cost of this bill is $441K in the first year with continuing costs in subsequent years – not a good choice with the budget already in deficit.
Sponsors: Julie Gonzales (D)*, Tom Sullivan (D)*, Kyle Brown (D)*, Meg Froelich (D)*
Bill Status: In Committee
