People Over Corporate Tax Breaks

H.R. 1 (the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”), passed on July 4, 2025, forced a bad tradeoff that is already hitting Colorado families. Because federal tax cuts reduced state revenue and TABOR limits what Colorado can collect, state revenue has fallen below the level needed to fund the Family Affordability Tax Credit. As a result, the credit is turned off for the 2026 tax year, meaning families will not receive it when they file their taxes in early 2027.

This happened because Congress gave big tax breaks to corporations while cutting back support for working- and middle-class families. Many of those families earn too much to qualify for safety net programs but still struggle to afford basics like housing, food, and health care. Now even programs like SNAP and Medicaid face deep cuts, while Colorado is left with an $850 million budget gap it cannot easily fill under TABOR.

That’s why CFI’s four bills in the 2026 legislative session matter so much. Together, they are designed to reverse these unfair tradeoffs, level the playing field by closing loopholes,  and restore funding for the Family Affordability Tax Credit so families get the help they were promised—not just more tax breaks for corporations.

The Bills We Want Colorado Lawmakers to Pass

These tax bills decide who really pays in Colorado. When big corporations get special deals, families are left with higher costs and fewer services. This is about making sure our tax code works for everyone—not just the wealthy and well-connected—and that it works for working families by keeping our money focused on schools, health care, and the basics Coloradans depend on.These tax bills decide who really pays in Colorado. When big corporations get special deals, families are left with higher costs and fewer services.

Resources

Colorado’s legislative session is short—just about 120 days each year—and a lot happens in a very small window. Bills change quickly, hearings are scheduled with little notice, and major decisions can move in a matter of days. Whether you’re a longtime policy wonk or an aspiring one, these resources can help you track bills, follow their status, watch or listen to hearings, and understand how budget and policy decisions are made at the Capitol.

These links can help you follow what’s happening under the Dome in real time—from watching committee hearings and floor debates to tracking the budget and understanding the state’s economic outlook. Whether you want to see how a bill is moving, listen in on a hearing, or dig into the numbers behind Colorado’s budget, these tools make the legislative process more open and easier to follow.

• Colorado General Assembly Website—The main hub for finding bills, lawmakers, schedules, and official documents.
  
• Listen to the Legislature—Live audio of committee meetings and floor debates.
  
• Watch the House and Senate—Live and recorded video of proceedings from the Colorado Channel.
  
• Joint Budget Committee (JBC)—Where Colorado’s state budget is written and negotiated.
  • Listen live
• Legislative Council—The nonpartisan office that provides lawmakers with economic and fiscal forecasts.
• Office of State Planning & Budget (OSPB)—The governor’s budget office, which publishes revenue forecasts and budget materials.
• Jennifer Corrigan’s “This Week at the JBC”—A weekly update on what the Joint Budget Committee is doing.

Get Involved: Your Voice Still Matters

Even though Coloradans do not vote on bills during the legislative session, your voice still matters. There are many ways to show lawmakers, advocates, and the media what you care about and how these decisions affect your community. Whether you are a lawmaker looking for clear data, an advocate organizing for change, a member of the public with a question, or a reporter seeking context, CFI is here to help connect people to the information and support they need to take part in Colorado’s policy conversations.

For Lawmakers

• Schedule a briefing with CFI. Our team provides clear, nonpartisan analysis on tax, budget, and economic policy to support informed decision-making during the legislative session. We can dig into wonky tax questions, look at how other states handle similar issues, and, when requested, offer our take, because budgets are about values.

For Advocates

• Advocate with us at the legislature. Sign on to these tax bills, testify alongside us, or contact schneider@coloradofiscal.org for more information
• Join our federal fight-back efforts to protect funding for programs like Medicaid, SNAP, and other critical supports. Email schneider@coloradofiscal.org. 
• Get involved in TABOR reform work by joining a growing coalition focused on modernizing Colorado’s tax and budget rules and building long-term power for change.
• Schedule a presentation with CFI. Our policy analysts are happy to meet with you and your group, either in person or on Zoom, to explain how Colorado’s legislative session works and why tax and budget policy is the foundation of a strong, successful community. Email schneider@coloradofiscal.org. 

For Coloradans

• Have a quick question? Send us an email, and our team will do our best to respond and help address your concerns.
• If this work matters to you and reflects your values, please consider making a gift.

For Media

• Looking for context or data? CFI’s experts are available to provide background, analysis, and interviews on Colorado’s tax, budget, and economic policy issues. Email morris@coloradofiscal.org.