Last week Governor Polis delivered the State of the State address with a rallying theme of altitude—urging Coloradans to rise above challenges, both literally and metaphorically. His message of resilience and determination struck a chord, but it fell short in addressing a stark reality: Colorado faces a $750 million budget deficit. 

Neither the Governor’s speech nor the opening remarks of the legislative session confronted the root cause of this crisis. Instead, the shortfall was framed as an unavoidable consequence of economic downturns, sidestepping its true origins: the restrictive policies of the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR).

TABOR, a constitutional amendment passed in 1992, shackles Colorado’s ability to invest in its future. Last year, $1.6 billion was refunded to taxpayers, leaving the state unable to meet the needs of its people. This is not fiscal responsibility—it’s a policy choice with dire consequences.

Colorado’s government is tasked with ensuring quality education, accessible healthcare, safe communities, modern infrastructure, and economic opportunity. But without adequate funding, these essential services are at risk. TABOR’s stranglehold on the state budget has eroded the tools necessary to build a thriving, equitable Colorado.

We cannot continue slicing from an already shrinking pie. The people of Colorado deserve more than the scraps—more than a government forced to choose between meeting today’s needs and preparing for tomorrow’s challenges. It’s time to take bold action: retain more of our collective resources and reinvest them where they matter most—Colorado’s working families.

A prosperous Colorado demands more than just words. We need an economy that works for everyone, not just corporations and the wealthy. This means confronting TABOR head-on, redistributing economic power, and ensuring that our tax code prioritizes the needs of working people while addressing systemic inequities.

The budget crisis was not inevitable—it was the result of deliberate policy choices. We still have a chance to rewrite this story, but only if we’re willing to confront the truth and act decisively. Colorado’s future depends on it. Let’s aim higher, together.