EN
With the end of my internship placement approaching and the legislative session right behind us, there is a lot of emotion in the air for me. I entered this space and navigated my first legislative session without prior knowledge of tax and fiscal policy, and I am ending this position transformed. As a Salvadoran woman, daughter of immigrants, and someone finishing the last year of my master’s program in social work, my educational and career priorities reflect my identities. I was excited for the opportunity to join the Colorado Fiscal Institute as a Graduate Policy Intern, allowing me to advocate for tax and fiscal policies that advance my mission to uphold the dignity and worth of every person, especially those from marginalized backgrounds.
Throughout the year, I learned about the racist origins of many tax and fiscal policies, Colorado’s upside-down tax code, and, of course, the infamous Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR). Having recently learned about redlining in Colorado, it felt like learning how tax and fiscal policy can reflect similar principles, shaping economic stability and determining whether communities experience prosperity or hardship. Through this lens, I learned about Colorado’s flat income tax, TABOR rebates, tax credits, and the economic benefits of expanding pathways to occupational licenses. In doing so, I gained a deeper understanding of how fair tax systems work, and how they don’t.
That understanding made it easy to advocate for the Family Affordability Tax Credit (FATC), CFI’s tax package this legislative session, and other refundable tax credits. Investing in tools such as refundable tax credits, a graduated income tax, and greater wealth and corporate accountability can help support working families and create shared prosperity in Colorado.
Unfortunately, Colorado’s tax system is poorly equipped to protect against federal policy changes and fiscal challenges brought on by a tightening budget landscape. TABOR, often framed as a matter of choice, forces lawmakers to make difficult decisions between priorities such as health care, food security, and mental health services, limiting the state’s ability to meet the needs of Coloradans. This was especially visible during the 2026 legislative session, when lawmakers were forced to close a $1.5 billion budget shortfall. The result was cuts to programs such as Cover All Coloradans, sexual education initiatives, and Medicaid, which faced some of the most significant reductions.
Although CFI advanced a package of policies designed to support families most affected by the loss of the FATC, including measures focused on corporate accountability and a new Family Affordability Credit (FAC), Colorado’s political leadership was not ready to embrace those proposals.
Through this experience, one thing became evident to me: there is a significant gap in understanding how tax and fiscal policy shape shared prosperity and even survival. At their core, fiscal policies determine taxpayers’ responsibilities to the state, who does and does not have access to resources, and how Colorado invests in essential foundations such as education, health care, transportation, and infrastructure.
Despite the disappointments of this legislative session, I now fully understand the importance of tax and fiscal policy education and advocacy. I am committed to creating accessible information for all communities and hope to continue working in tax and fiscal policy in my next role. Thank you to everyone who followed along and learned a few tax and fiscal policy lessons with me during the second half of this legislative session. It has been a privilege.
Signing off,
Keirin Gonzalez
