Bills Opposed by CUT
HB1309 – Protect Access to Gender-Affirming Health Care
[cite_start]
The Colorado Union of Taxpayers (CUT) opposes this bill, which codifies gender-affirming care coverage in state law. [cite: 3] [cite_start]CUT argues this is an unfunded mandate for medical procedures that will increase taxpayer costs through Medicaid and higher insurance rates for public employees. [cite: 3] [cite_start]The organization highlights this as regulatory overreach that could drive businesses and insurance companies out of Colorado. [cite: 3] [cite_start]CUT also states the Safety Clause was improperly used to “sneak” the bill by voters without proper debate. [cite: 3] [cite_start]The bill is sponsored by Kyle Brown (D), Brianna Titone (D), Lisa Cutter (D), and numerous others. [cite: 3] [cite_start]The bill’s current status is Governor Signed on 05/23/2025. [cite: 3] [cite_start]The full text of the bill can be found at: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb25-1309. [cite: 3]
SB302 – Achieving a Better Life Experience Tax Deduction
[cite_start]
The Colorado Union of Taxpayers (CUT) opposes this bill, which extends the ABLE state income tax deduction until 2030. [cite: 3] [cite_start]CUT’s opposition stems from concerns about potential abuse due to poorly defined terms like “disabilities” and the uncapped nature of the deduction, which could strain the state’s General Fund. [cite: 3] [cite_start]They argue that the benefits of this deduction unfairly skew towards higher-income households and that the extension commits the state to long-term revenue loss. [cite: 3] [cite_start]The bill is sponsored by Cathy Kipp (D), Cleave Simpson (R), Lorena Garcia (D), and others. [cite: 3] [cite_start]The bill’s current status is Governor Signed on 05/24/2025. [cite: 3] [cite_start]The full text of the bill can be found at: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb25-302. [cite: 3]
SB308 – Medicaid Services Related to Federal Authorizations
[cite_start]
The Colorado Union of Taxpayers (CUT) opposes this bill, which creates two cash funds to implement federally matched Medicaid coverage for certain services. [cite: 8] [cite_start]CUT objects to the bill’s convoluted and non-transparent process, which increases the administrative budget by over $7 million and adds 8.3 full-time employees annually. [cite: 8] [cite_start]There is also no guarantee that federal funding will continue. [cite: 8] [cite_start]CUT calls the inclusion of the Safety Clause nonsensical. [cite: 8] [cite_start]The bill is sponsored by Judith Amabile (D), Barbara Kirkmeyer (R), Emily Sirota (D), Rick Taggart (R), and others. [cite: 8] [cite_start]The bill’s current status is Governor Signed on 05/30/2025. [cite: 8] [cite_start]The full text of the bill can be found at: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb25-308. [cite: 8]
SB311 – Inactive Cash Funds
[cite_start]
The Colorado Union of Taxpayers (CUT) opposes this bill, which transfers money from inactive cash funds to the General Fund. [cite: 8] [cite_start]While CUT agrees that taxpayer money should not sit idle, they argue it should be returned directly to the taxpayers rather than moved to the General Fund for unspecified purposes. [cite: 8] [cite_start]CUT expresses its growing disdain for what it considers a misuse of the Safety Clause. [cite: 8] [cite_start]The bill is sponsored by Judith Amabile (D), Barbara Kirkmeyer (R), Shannon Bird (D), and others. [cite: 8] [cite_start]The bill’s current status is Governor Signed on 06/03/2025. [cite: 8] [cite_start]The full text of the bill can be found at: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb25-311. [cite: 8]
SB316 – Auraria Higher Education Center Appropriations
[cite_start]
The Colorado Union of Taxpayers (CUT) opposes this bill, which requires the Auraria Higher Education Center (AHEC) to hire a third-party contractor to oversee agreements with its constituent schools. [cite: 8] [cite_start]CUT views this as regulatory overreach and a waste of taxpayer money, arguing that if current leadership is incompetent, they should be fired rather than monitored by a costly, outside contractor. [cite: 8] [cite_start]They also question the inclusion of the Safety Clause. [cite: 8] [cite_start]The bill is sponsored by Judith Amabile (D), Jeff Bridges (D), Emily Sirota (D), and others. [cite: 8] [cite_start]The bill’s current status is Governor Signed on 06/04/2025. [cite: 8] [cite_start]The full text of the bill can be found at: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb25-316. [cite: 8]
SB319 – Modification Higher Education Expenses Income Tax Incentive
[cite_start]
The Colorado Union of Taxpayers (CUT) opposes this bill, which modifies an existing income tax incentive for higher education. [cite: 13] [cite_start]CUT finds the underlying program unfair because it is limited to public colleges and excludes trade or private schools. [cite: 13] [cite_start]The bill is opposed for appropriating over $135,000 and hiring two new employees for data tracking that CUT believes should already be easily accessible. [cite: 13] [cite_start]It is also noted that the Safety Clause should not have been used. [cite: 13] [cite_start]The bill is sponsored by Judith Amabile (D), Jeff Bridges (D), Shannon Bird (D), and others. [cite: 13] [cite_start]The bill’s current status is Governor Signed on 06/04/2025. [cite: 13] [cite_start]The full text of the bill can be found at: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb25-319. [cite: 13]
SB320 – Commercial Motor Vehicle Transportation
[cite_start]
The Colorado Union of Taxpayers (CUT) opposes this bill because it extends sales and tax fee exemptions for certain “low emitting” heavy-duty vehicles. [cite: 13] [cite_start]CUT argues that this creates an unfair system, as these vehicles cause the same amount of road damage and should contribute equally to road repair funds. [cite: 13] [cite_start]This policy is seen as the government “picking winners and losers” and will ultimately decrease TABOR refunds for taxpayers. [cite: 13] [cite_start]CUT called the use of the Safety Clause “absurd.” [cite: 13] [cite_start]The bill is sponsored by Jeff Bridges (D), Barbara Kirkmeyer (R), Shannon Bird (D), and others. [cite: 13] [cite_start]The bill’s current status is Governor Signed on 06/03/2025. [cite: 13] [cite_start]The full text of the bill can be found at: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb25-320. [cite: 13]
