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Colorado buys the socialist sandwich: Free lunches and fewer freedoms
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Colorado Politics, Approved, Commentary, State

Colorado buys the socialist sandwich: Free lunches and fewer freedoms

By Jon Caldara | Commentary, Colorado Politics If you’re a fan of limited government, personal liberty, or educational choice, Tuesday night’s election results were a downer, just another one in a long line of depressing elections that has made Colorado more California than California. However, if you prefer a controlling elite deciding your fate, debt, class envy and teacher unions, it was just another victory in a decade’s long win streak. I’m curious how multi-billionaire nannyist Michael Bloomberg felt about his out-of-state investment. He put $5 million toward convincing Denver voters adults must stop buying Swisher Sweets cigars (which contains flavored tobacco, the new fentanyl). As adults drive by marijuana shops selling flavored edibles, liquor stores selling peach-inf...
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Last-minute voter? Your refund might be on the menu
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Rocky Mountain Voice, Commentary, State, Top Stories

Last-minute voter? Your refund might be on the menu

By Rocky Mountain Voice Editorial Board Still sitting on your ballot? You’re not alone—Colorado’s full of last-minute voters trying to make sense of Propositions LL and MM before the drop box closes. Both deal with “Healthy School Meals for All,” a free lunch program with a not-so-free price tag. And depending how you vote, your refund might just end up on the menu. How we got here Back in 2022, voters approved Proposition FF, the “Healthy School Meals for All” program that promised every K–12 student a free lunch. It sounded simple until someone had to pay for it. The money came from a new tax on Coloradans earning $300,000 or more—along with wage hikes for cafeteria workers and a nudge to use more local ingredients. Fast-forward to 2025, and the legislature realized there’s e...
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Progressive tax push could cripple Colorado’s economy
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Rocky Mountain Voice, Approved, Commentary, State

Progressive tax push could cripple Colorado’s economy

By Robert G. Natelson | Commentary, Complete Colorado At a time when most states are cutting income taxes, some influential Colorado leftists want to jack up the state’s top income tax rate to one of the highest in the nation. They are hawking a “graduated” (or “progressive”) tax—that is, one that discriminates based on income. They promote this scheme with their usual demagogy, including the fraudulent claim that higher taxes will harm only “the rich.” In truth, it will harm almost everyone but the rich. Much of the Left’s demagogy is harmless, and some of it is even amusing. But this irresponsible scheme is positively dangerous. As explained below, it’s a revolver in a game of Russian Roulette aimed against the livelihood of Colorado families. A revolver with every chamber loade...
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Aurora Voters Face Packed Ballot with Proposal for New Downtown Authority
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Complete Colorado, Approved, Local

Aurora Voters Face Packed Ballot with Proposal for New Downtown Authority

By Sherrie Peif | Complete Colorado AURORA–Voters in the the City of Aurora will decide on multiple charter amendments and city council seats this November, along with a referred measure asking residents to create a new tax-financed Downtown Development Authority (DDA). Aurora, which borders Denver to the east, is Colorado’s third most populous city at a little over 414,000 residents, made up of portions of Arapahoe, Adams and Douglas counties.    The DDA is a government entity whose purpose is to revitalize the downtown-area including businesses, infrastructure, and events. A governing board appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the city council would include one council member and 4-10 residents within the district.   Aurora City Council approv...
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Colorado Democrats push ‘progressive tax’ while low-income families already carry heavier burden
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Colorado Accountability Project, Approved, Commentary, State

Colorado Democrats push ‘progressive tax’ while low-income families already carry heavier burden

By Cory Gaines | Commentary, Colorado Accountability Project Progressive tax myths vs. reality. There's been a lot of noise about a bunch of progressive groups pushing a ballot measure to change our income tax structure from a flat tax (where all income brackets pay the same percentage) to a progressive one (where you pay more income tax as a percent and in absolute terms if you earn more).If you want an example article and some context, see the Sun article linked first below.I wanted to offer you a couple resources from a fiscally conservative (and frankly reality-based) perspective to counter what will likely be a blitz on the topic in the media and elsewhere. A couple resources to help you better advocate against this wrongheaded policy.There are two Complete Colorado op eds l...
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How ballot initiatives play a role in Colorado policymaking
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Colorado Politics, Approved, State

How ballot initiatives play a role in Colorado policymaking

By Colorado Politics For more than a century, Colorado voters have used the ballot box not just to elect leaders but also to make laws, shaping the state’s most defining policies through citizen-led initiatives. Those two avenues of policymaking — the first by legislators, the second by citizens — yet represent another point of tension that is inherent to America’s grand experiment in representative democracy. At times, it leads to reaction and counter-reaction, both within and outside the state Capitol. The threat of a ballot measure, for one, can prompt legislators to act. Indeed, some see the initiative process as a counterbalance to the Colorado legislature, serving as a check on state policymakers, at times overriding their will. Others prefer the legislative process, with...
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Gaines: Colorado’s add-back taxes are a backdoor tax on overtime
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Colorado Accountability Project, Approved, Commentary, State

Gaines: Colorado’s add-back taxes are a backdoor tax on overtime

By Cory Gaines | Commentary, Colorado Accountability Project The Great Colorado Add Back? My state senator (B Pelton) alerted me to something you'll almost certainly see in the coming state special session: add back taxes. I thought it would be good to give some resources on that so you'll better understand it and (I hope) be a better advocate on the issue. This is something I will follow up on as the special session gets going; Sen Pelton is running a bill to make such taxes conform to TABOR limits. I have asked for a copy of that bill and will share if and when I get it. There are many different kinds of tax add backs, but I'll stick to the topic of state income tax add backs because I can use the link below as a reference. The State of Colorado weblink at bottom gives ...
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Colorado faces $1B hole: Governor Polis calls special session called and imposes state hiring freeze
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denvergazette.com, Approved, State

Colorado faces $1B hole: Governor Polis calls special session called and imposes state hiring freeze

By Marianne Goodland | Denver Gazette Gov. Jared Polis will convene the legislature on Aug. 21 to enact cuts to the state budget amid a $1 billion deficit, even as he is instituting a hiring freeze. The governor said the hiring freeze in state agencies will start on Aug. 27.   The governor confirmed that, in addition to spending reductions, the special session will deal with AI regulation. Lawmakers approved new AI regulations last year. They are expected to go into effect Feb. 1, 2026. The AI law established rules around the use of artificial intelligence, primarily in employment, health care, education, and government practices, where, backers said, the risk of bias or discrimination exists. Businesses have argued that the new law is problematic, potentially penaliz...
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Garbo: The ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ is an all-or-nothing bet on reshaping America
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Rocky Mountain Voice, Approved, National, Political Analysis, Top Stories

Garbo: The ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ is an all-or-nothing bet on reshaping America

By C. J. Garbo | Guest Political Analysis, Rocky Mountain Voice The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” introduced in the House as HR 1, represents one of the most sweeping legislative proposals in recent political history. Spanning hundreds of pages and touching nearly every corner of federal governance, it combines tax reform, healthcare restructuring, social policy shifts, and regulatory rollback into a single omnibus package. This article provides a nonpartisan, objective analysis of the bill's major provisions and potential consequences. The intent is not to promote or condemn HR 1, but to inform readers - citizens, policymakers, and professionals - about its complex and far-reaching components. CORE THEMES OF THE BILL HR 1 aims to reshape the federal government's fiscal, regula...
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SALT Deduction Scam: Blue States Get the Break, Red States Get the Bill
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National, The Washington Times

SALT Deduction Scam: Blue States Get the Break, Red States Get the Bill

By Lindsey McPherson | The Washington Times Republicans putting together a sweeping tax and spending package are struggling to resolve an intraparty debate over the amount of state and local taxes taxpayers should be able to deduct from their federal tax liability. The debate over the deduction, known as SALT, is pitting House Republicans from Democrat-majority states against fiscal conservatives. Republicans must find a compromise to pass President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The SALT deduction is claimed by the roughly 10% of taxpayers who itemize. The 90% who claim the standard deduction do not benefit from the deduction. Taxpayers can currently deduct up to $10,000 of state and local taxes from their federal taxable income. Itemizers must choose between deducting...
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