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CFI uses innovative research, advocacy, strategic communications, and deep partnerships to advance equity-focused fiscal and economic policies that support working families and dismantle structural barriers to shared wealth and power in Colorado.
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What We Do
Who We Are
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What We Do

Through innovative research, advocacy, strategic communications, and deep partnerships we work to champion equitable fiscal and economic policies in Colorado.
We envision a Colorado where responsible, people-centered economic and fiscal policies advance equity and widespread prosperity.

We believe our vision of equity and widespread prosperity is achievable only when there are knowledgeable and empowered decision makers, an equitable and sustainable tax system that fully funds thriving communities, an active core of supporters willing to wield fiscal policies to achieve these ends, and a constitution that promotes, not prohibits, sound and transparent decisions. Our tactics of high-quality research, statewide education, strategic communications, partnerships, and advocacy are dedicated to achieving these goals.

Who We Are

We are a small and dedicated group of policy wonks, economists, and advocates committed to advancing people-centered fiscal and economic policies that promote equity and prosperity across Colorado. Together, we bring a deep expertise and a shared passion for using fiscal policy to build a more inclusive future.
Meet Our Team
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Our Key Issues

From tax policy to housing affordability and workers' rights, we focus on the economic and fiscal challenges facing Colorado’s communities. Explore our key issues to see how we’re working to create a more equitable and prosperous future for all Coloradans.

Taxes, TABOR, & Budget

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People-Centered Economy

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Environmental Justice

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Housing

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Immigration

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Workers' Rights

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Learn More About CFI

Our Partners

The Colorado Fiscal Institute is a member of the State Priorities Partnership (SPP), a network of over 40 state-level non-profit policy organizations working for equitable, responsible, and sustainable budget, tax, and economic policies. The SPP network is coordinated at a national level by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities in Washington, D.C.

This affiliation brings national resources into Colorado to develop the capacity for high-quality, state-level fiscal and economic research and advocacy and comes with technical support from a wide range of experts at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities and other state partnership organizations.

The Colorado Fiscal Institute is also an active member of the Economic Analysis and Research Network (EARN) coordinated by the Economic Policy Institute in Washington, D.C. www.epi.org. EARN is a nationwide network of research, policy, and advocacy organizations fighting, state by state, for an economy that works for everyone. The network currently includes nearly 60 organizations in 44 states and the District of Columbia and nearly two dozen national partners. For more information about EARN, visit www.earn.us.

Our Financials

“The Colorado Fiscal Institute has been a critical partner, particularly on our transit affordability efforts. Their sophisticated research and analysis propelled our work forward in ways that would not have been possible without them. They translate complex data to understandable information, helping our partners to make thoughtful, research-driven decisions.”

– Dace West, Executive Director of Mile High Connects


Financial transparency is a top priority of ours, visit our financials page at Colorado Gives.

Donations of all sizes make it possible for the Colorado Fiscal Institute to provide the independent and accessible information that policymakers, community leaders, and residents need to make the best decisions. Donate today and help us fight for economic prosperity for all Coloradans!

CFI Financial pie chart, 93% program services, 4% administrative, 3% fundraising

Connect With CFI on Social

If you make under $14,000, the Republican budget will cost you $1,125 a year. If you make under $38,000, it will cost you $430. 🏚️ But if you make more than $650,000 a year, you'll get handed $43,500. 🤑 It's not "woke" and immigrants hurting you—it's trickle-down tax cuts. #taxday

If you make under $14,000, the Republican budget will cost you $1,125 a year. If you make under $38,000, it will cost you $430. 🏚️ But if you make more than $650,000 a year, you'll get handed $43,500. 🤑 It's not "woke" and immigrants hurting you—it's trickle-down tax cuts. #taxday

A HUGE thank you to every incredible person and organization who showed up at the Capitol today! Your voices sent a powerful message to our lawmakers: it's time to put Colorado's working families FIRST! Your energy and passion were truly inspiring—let’s keep the momentum going! ✊💰 #familiesoverbillionaires #TABOR #taxday #taxfairness @neweracolorado, @coloradoaflcio, #towardsjustice, @cwa7799, @yaraforco, @replorenagarciahd35, @daveyoungforco, @cowins

A HUGE thank you to every incredible person and organization who showed up at the Capitol today! Your voices sent a powerful message to our lawmakers: it's time to put Colorado's working families FIRST! Your energy and passion were truly inspiring—let’s keep the momentum going! ✊💰

#familiesoverbillionaires #TABOR #taxday #taxfairness

@neweracolorado, @coloradoaflcio, #towardsjustice, @cwa7799, @yaraforco, @replorenagarciahd35, @daveyoungforco, @cowins

If you follow us, you probably don’t need *another* reason to be frustrated with TABOR — but here’s a big one: the rent. Colorado just moved up to the **6th least affordable state** in the country, up from 8th last year. TABOR is standing in the way of real solutions, like building more affordable housing. People are getting priced out, and outdated policies like #TABOR are holding us back from doing something about it. 🔗 https://coloradofiscal.org/the-rent-is-too-damn-high/

If you follow us, you probably don’t need *another* reason to be frustrated with TABOR — but here’s a big one: the rent.

Colorado just moved up to the **6th least affordable state** in the country, up from 8th last year. TABOR is standing in the way of real solutions, like building more affordable housing.

People are getting priced out, and outdated policies like #TABOR are holding us back from doing something about it.

🔗 https://coloradofiscal.org/the-rent-is-too-damn-high/

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  • Healthcare
  • 04/18/2025

Medicaid Work Requirements Harm Families and Strain Colorado’s Systems

Medicaid work requirements are policies that condition continued health coverage on a person’s ability to meet certain “community engagement” activities—such as employment, education, or volunteering—and regularly report those activities. Supporters of these policies argue they incentivize work, reduce reliance on government assistance, and promote health and independence through greater self-sufficiency. These arguments often rest on […]

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  • Blog
  • 04/14/2025

TABOR + Tax Cuts = Recipe for Disaster

A Friendly Reminder This Tax Day This Tax Day, it’s worth remembering that tax policy is spending policy – and right now, Congress is poised to extend hundreds of billions in tax breaks for the wealthy while forcing cuts to public services the rest of us depend on. In Colorado, TABOR compounds the harm by […]

Read More

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