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Colorado Special Session Advances Revenue Bills as Senate Approves Safety-Net and Wolf Funding Changes

Federal tax changes reduced the state’s taxable base, forcing a scramble to close a roughly $800 million gap.

Colorado lawmakers and supporters gather for a news conference on the west steps of the state Capitol in Denver on Aug. 20, 2025. The group was supporting a bill on artificial intelligence regulations that aims to retain consumer protections ahead of the Colorado legislature's upcoming special session. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
Colorado state Rep. Jennifer Bacon speaks to Rep. Anthony Hartsook during the first day of a special session at the Colorado State Capitol in Denver on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
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Colorado Sen. Lynda Zamora Wilson sits at her desk during the opening of a special legislative session on the budget in the Colorado State Capitol in Denver on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

Overview

  • House Democrats took initial votes on HB-1001 to permanently limit the federal 199A business-income deduction for high earners, projected to raise $46 million this fiscal year and about $100 million annually in the next two years.
  • Leaders expect to deploy roughly $300 million from reserves while Gov. Jared Polis prepares mid‑year spending reductions that could begin as soon as Sept. 1.
  • Majority lawmakers are pushing rollbacks of business tax breaks and new fees on health insurers to generate $300 million to $400 million, with Republicans opposing the moves as unlawful under TABOR.
  • Conservative groups and GOP lawmakers are preparing lawsuits challenging the revenue measures, while Democrats say their package stays under court‑recognized limits.
  • The Senate passed bills to bolster funding for food stamps and Planned Parenthood and to bar taxpayer dollars for adding more gray wolves next year, with new wolves instead to be financed by fees or donations; one AI bill was amended to delay the law, and another remains stalled.