The Case Against a ‘Progressive’ Income Tax in Colorado

The battle over Colorado’s future tax system has officially begun, and the stakes for families, businesses, and the state’s economy couldn’t be higher. Backed by a coalition of advocacy groups that consistently push for higher taxes as the solution to Colorado’s challenges, the Bell Policy Center submitted proposed language for the 2026 ballot that would […]

Comparing 2022 Gubernatorial Nominees’ Plans to Eliminate Colorado’s Income Tax

The 2022 Republican nominee for governor of Colorado, Heidi Ganahl, has proposed eliminating Colorado’s income tax, calling it a “big bold idea to take us to zero income tax.” On September 30th at a gubernatorial candidates’ forum hosted by Colorado Concern, the moderator, Dean Singleton, pressed Ganahl on her plan for accomplishing this. In response, […]

Independence Institute Comments on 2nd Initiative 31 Draft Analysis – Income Tax Cut

The state constitution requires the state to produce a voter information booklet, commonly known as the “Blue Book,” on every legislatively referred and citizen initiated measure to appear on the statewide election ballot. The booklet, prepared by Legislative Council Staff (LCS), must provide fair and impartial analysis of each measure. LCS solicits comments from the […]

Reducing state income tax a counter to recession

Money Tax Budget

Reducing state income tax a counter to recession Today at 8:30 a.m., the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis will release second quarter GDP numbers. If it reports negative economic growth as economists expect, then a technical recession has already begun in the United States. Colorado can insulate itself by reducing the state income tax. Understanding why […]

Inflation makes the case for lowering Colorado’s income tax

Inflation makes the case for lowering Colorado’s income tax Inflation hit another 40-year high in June, according to federal inflation data released yesterday. Coloradans have taken the fight against rising costs into their own hands with a citizens’ initiative to lower the income tax rate and put the state on a path to zero. Last […]

Independence Institute Comments on Initiative 31 Draft Analysis – Income Tax Cut

Rejected

The state constitution requires the state to produce a voter information booklet, commonly known as the “Blue Book,” on every legislatively referred and citizen initiated measure to appear on the statewide election ballot. The booklet, prepared by Legislative Council Staff (LCS), must provide fair and impartial analysis of each measure. LCS solicits comments from the […]

A Path to Zero Income Tax for Colorado

When an interviewer recently asked Colorado’s Democratic governor Jared Polis what the state’s income-tax rate should be, he answered without hesitation: “It should be zero.” For many Coloradans, this came as no surprise: The effort to chisel away at the income tax has already gained steam in the state. Last year, voters reduced the tax […]

Regressive Taxation in Colorado: Two Competing Views

Colorado has a regressive tax burden that punishes the poor. It’s not fair. Voters in the Centennial State heard that a lot last year, but is it true? If so, how and why, and what should be done about it? Key Takeaways: The Colorado tax code imposes an overall regressive tax burden. While the overall […]

Will increasing Colorado’s top income tax bracket by 27 percent affect incomes?

At present, everyone in Colorado pays the same marginal income tax rate, 4.63 cents out of every additional taxable dollar earned. Colorado officials and their allied interest groups support a constitutional amendment both to increase the state’s income tax and to create two tax brackets. They say the additional funding will improve K-12 education, although […]