CCLP’s 2025 legislative wrap-up, part 1

CCLP's 2025 legislative wrap-up, part 1

by Karly Kaufman| Jun 30, 2025

Equity work, Family Economic Security, Health, Housing, Immigration, Income, Legislative Updates, Research and Policy Analysis, Testimony

Introduction

Colorado's 2025 regular legislative session came to an end on Wednesday, May 7, 2025. A total of 657 bills were introduced, with over 300 bills coming from each chamber. At the start of the session, the one thing on everyone's minds was our state's budget, or lack thereof. As the session continued in the midst of disastrous and sudden changes from the federal government, however, priorities shifted, and strategies evolved.

This year's session faced a staggering $1.2 billion budget deficit, largely due to Taxpayer's Bill of Rights (TABOR) restrictions that continue to strangle our state's ability to retain funding for necessary programs, resources, and services. TABOR is the most restrictive tax and revenue limitation in the country, interfering with our state's ability to invest in our schools, parks, and provide health care to Coloradans. Colorado is unable to backfill state funding because of TABOR, leaving our state vulnerable to the looming federal cuts.[1]

Because of the budget shortfall, bills with fiscal notes faced uncertain fate, as these costs could be the downfall of effective and progressive policies. Bills without fiscal notes were able to move along in the legislative process much quicker because of this. Several bills were even introduced to maneuver funding around to balance the budget.

This year was nothing shy of chaos, but we maintained strong alliances and powered through to pass critical and transformative legislation to build a more equitable state for all Coloradans.

CCLP

CCLP focused on four priority areas this session where the opportunity existed to make real change in Colorado: removing administrative burden, building worker and community power, advocating for progressive tax and budget policies, and improving health system accountability. We took a position on 58 bills this year - 46 support, six oppose, and six monitor. Of these 58 bills, 36 became law, 18 lost or were postponed indefinitely, and four were vetoed by Colorado Governor Jared Polis.

Among these positions, we identified seven priority bills, including Senate Bills 005, Worker Protection Collective Bargaining; 008, Adjust Necessary Document Program; 276, Protect Civil Rights Immigration Status; 290, Stabilization Payments for Safety Net Providers; and House Bills 1090, Protections Against Deceptive Pricing Practices; 1153, Statewide Government Language Access Assessment; 1264, Prohibit Surveillance Data to Set Prices and Wages.

During the 120-day session, CCLP produced more resources and briefs than the entirety of last year combined. Our staff was incredibly active in providing testimony on 25 bills - the most we've ever engaged in! CCLP published 12 of these testimonies into blogs along with four Press Releases. Our legislative work was shared in 14 news articles across Colorado. Additionally, we sent four letters to the Governor and Colorado's legislative leadership urging action on a variety of bills. With adversity nearly every step of the way, CCLP did not shy away from advocating for Coloradans to meet their basic needs and become self-sufficient.

Removing administrative burden

CCLP aimed to reduce necessary hurdles that are so often a barrier for people who face poverty. One of our priority bills fell into this focus, HB25-008, Adjust Necessary Document Program, also known as the ID bill. The ID bill eliminates the need for physical vouchers, allowing eligible individuals to access ID documents directly at the point of service, effectively removing the complicated program structure to obtain a voucher. CCLP, along with Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, Homeward Alliance, and Violence Free Colorado, brought this bill forward last year, but it failed to pass. Though this is not uncommon, as many pieces of legislation can be multi-year efforts. With these same organizations and Colorado Blueprint to End Hunger, we succeeded in getting the bill passed this session. Chaer Robert, an Emeritus Advisor at CCLP, provided testimony in support of the bill.

Outside of our priority bill, three other significant bills we supported became law in May 2025. SB25-001, Colorado Voting Rights Act, further strengthens Colorado's voting protections amid backsliding federal voting rights. The new law prevents voting discrimination, provides language-accessible ballots, protects LGBTQ+ voters, ensures eligible inmates can vote, and safeguards free and fair elections for all Coloradans. In addition, HB25-1239, Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act, strengthens protections for individuals with disabilities and those facing discrimination in public spaces or related to civil rights violations. HB25-1279, State-Level Data for Colorado Works Program, seeks to improve data collection and reporting standards for the Colorado Works Program, Colorado's Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. It will provide transparency of TANF fund allocations, ensuring resources are given to the most effective and necessary services.

Click here to read CCLP's 2025 legislative wrap-up, part 2.

Click here to read CCLP's 2025 legislative wrap-up part 3.

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[1] Read Colorado Fiscal Institute's latest article, 5 Ugly Truths You Should Know About the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, to learn more about the harmful effects this legislation will have on Coloradans.

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