Over 80 Colorado organizations unite to call on lawmakers to protect schools, healthcare, and communities during the state’s special legislative session.

Our state is in the midst of a crisis not of its own making. Recent federal action puts our ability to build a stronger future for Colorado and its residents at risk. We, the undersigned organizations, urge you to take the necessary, though difficult, steps to mitigate the consequences of this crisis in the upcoming special session by closing tax loopholes.

Last year, through the hard work and collaboration of many stakeholders across the state, you passed Colorado’s balanced fiscal year 2025-26 budget, addressing a $1 billion shortfall while protecting critical services. With the passage of H.R. 1, Legislative Council staff economists outlined its harmful and immediate impacts, including a $1.2 billion revenue loss for FY 2025-26 and more than $1.4 billion in the following two fiscal years.

We cannot simply cut our way back to a balanced budget without needlessly harming the communities we advocate for and that you represent. Specifically:

• H.R. 1 changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) could affect more than 600,000 Coloradans.
• Cuts to insurance premium tax credits will cost Coloradans over $100 million and increase premiums by 28% in the individual market.
• Changes to Medicaid could leave 150,000 Coloradans without health care coverage, shifting costs to those who remain insured.
• Changes to energy-related tax credits could cost Colorado households $500 more per year within a decade.

Enough harm is being done by H.R. 1 itself. Further impacts to Coloradans must be minimized in the state’s response. We are grateful that the governor’s call for the special session takes an “all-of-the-above” approach to seek creative solutions. In addition to a hiring freeze and executive actions to limit expenditures, the call proposes a critical review of parts of Colorado’s tax code.

We urge you to respond earnestly to this aspect of the call. While some organizations and individuals benefit from tax breaks, the current budget crisis caused by H.R. 1 demands a broad view. Benefits for relatively few must be weighed against funding for the most basic services Colorado provides, including K-12 education, higher education, housing, and health care for our most vulnerable residents.

As you begin work on the special session, remember: “A budget is a moral document.” While we do not yet know what fiscal-related legislation will look like, we implore you to approach these challenges in that spirit and with energetic support.

We are grateful for your service to our state.

Signed,