Apr 24, 2025 - Politics

Republican agenda gets rejected at Colorado Capitol

John Frank

Illustration of a megaphone made out of the dome of the Colorado State Capitol. — Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios

GOP state senators started this legislative session with four bills they say would save Colorado families $4,500 a year by cutting regulations and fees.

Why it matters: The legislation was doomed to fail in a Democratic-controlled Legislature. But it could force Democrats to take positions in favor of taxes and fees, which could haunt them on the campaign trail.

State of play: Three of the GOP bills are dead and the other is not expected to advance.

The GOP legislation attempted to repeal Democratic-authored regulations on landlords and builders to make housing more affordable.
Another would have revoked fees on transportation, deliveries, garbage disposal, shopping bags, nicotine products and other products.

What they're saying: "Affordability — that's what people are talking about," Senate Minority leader Paul Lundeen of Monument said.

The intrigue: In separate bills, GOP lawmakers proposed lowering the state's income tax and creating a DOGE-like task force to find efficiencies in government. Both failed to garner support.

The other side: In an interview, Senate Democratic leader Robert Rodriguez of Denver dismissed the value of the GOP legislation, saying the proposals are not serious-minded.

Editor's note: This story has been updated and now clarifies that the $4,500 yearly savings the GOP calculates would be per family.

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Republican agenda gets rejected at Colorado Capitol

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