Denver, CO – September 4, 2025 – Republican legislative leaders pushed back against the Democratic claims found in the Executive Committee memo that the state’s fiscal challenges stem from H.R. 1, emphasizing instead that Colorado’s budget instability is the direct result of Democrats’ decision to raise taxes and increase spending during the past several years.

House Minority Leader Rose Pugliese stated that Democrats had every opportunity to stabilize the budget without harming Colorado families.

“Colorado families are already struggling with the rising cost of living, yet Democrats chose to raise taxes and expand government spending,” said Leader Pugliese. “The truth is, the special session only made our fiscal outlook worse. Republicans offered solutions that would have addressed the deficit without raising taxes, but Democrats rejected them in favor of growing government.”

Senate Minority Leader Cleave Simpson underscored the instability Democrats have created.

“The Democrats’ approach has left us with a budget built on uncertainty. Their short-term cash grab adds to long-term deficits and further damages Colorado’s structural stability,” said Leader Simpson. “This is not thoughtful leadership. It is reckless spending that leaves both urban and rural families with fewer options and higher costs.”

Joint Budget Committee member Senator Barbara Kirkmeyer emphasized that the majority has weakened protections guaranteed by the Taxpayer Bill of Rights while worsening the fiscal outlook of our State budget.

“Instead of respecting the Taxpayer Bill of Rights and protecting taxpayer refunds, Democrats undermined those constitutional rights to take more from Coloradans,” said Senator Kirkmeyer. “Republicans offered solutions to greatly reduce spending and stabilize the budget while prioritizing affordability, yet Democrats refused, and now the people of Colorado are footing the bill.”

Representative Rick Taggart highlighted that Democrats’ decisions during the special session contradict their own rhetoric.

“Instead of finally addressing Colorado’s structural deficit, Democrats relied on one-time transfers, drained reserves, and raised taxes that will hit small businesses the hardest,” said Representative Rick Taggart. “Kicking the can down the road only makes the problem worse for families and for future budgets. Small businesses are the engine of our economy, and adding new taxes and restrictions will drive them away at the very moment we need them most.”

Background

• Democrats raised $153.2 million in new taxes in FY25-26.
  
• Over the next three years, Coloradans will face nearly $800 million in new taxes.
  
• Despite higher taxes, Democrats reduced future revenue by up to $250 million in exchange for a $200 million boost today.
  
• Republican solutions would have closed nearly $740 million of the shortfall, protected $535 million in TABOR refunds, and reduced spending by $213 million, all without raising taxes.

Colorado Republicans remain committed to protecting taxpayers, prioritizing affordability, and ensuring the state budget is sustainable. Families deserve leaders who protect their household budgets over politicians’ appetite for more government spending.