What Leaders Across Colorado are Saying About Special Session to Address Budget Hole Created By Federal Bill

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Governor Polis calls special session to address devastating impacts of H.R. 1

DENVER - Today, Governor Jared Polis called the General Assembly back into session to address the significant impacts of H.R. 1 to Colorado's budget. Here is what members of the Congressional Delegation, and education, health care, and community leaders are saying:

"The budget passed by Donald Trump and Republicans blows a billion-dollar hole in Colorado's budget, and will raise costs for hardworking families. I opposed this abomination of a bill every step of the way, and am committed to working with Governor Polis and the state legislature to make sure that Coloradans who are already working two and three jobs to make ends meet don't bear the brunt of Donald Trump's cruel policies," said Senator Michael Bennet.

"Let's call it like it is: Republicans' big beautiful betrayal is a disaster for Colorado," said Senator John Hickenlooper. "Not only does it gut health care, crush rural hospitals, and explode the national debt, it blows a massive hole in Colorado's state budget. All to pay for tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy. Now we're left to clean up the mess. We won't stop trying to reverse the damage this bill does to our state."

"Congressional Republicans' budget bill slashes critical support for community lifelines that countless Coloradans rely on, from food assistance to healthcare, and will negatively impact many of our rural and mountain communities," said Congressman Joe Neguse. "I'm grateful to Governor Polis for taking action to respond to this disastrous bill, and am committed to joining him in standing up for Colorado's families."

"For over 15 years, the Colorado State Budget was balanced on the backs of students and educators. In the last two years, Colorado has finally kept its promise and took the first steps toward fully and equitably funding education. We can never go back. Unfortunately, Congressional Republicans prioritized tax cuts for billionaires over the needs of everyday people, and now that hard won funding is once again at risk. In this moment of crisis, we are asking our leaders to choose to protect public education and vital services, not hand out more tax breaks to corporations. Colorado's educators are ready to do our part, but we need a budget that puts classrooms and communities first," said Kevin Vick, President, Colorado Education Association.

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"Colorado has long been a safe haven for reproductive health care. For many of our clinicians, July 5th marked the first time it's ever been illegal for them to care for their patients. In the first 10 days after this law was signed, Planned Parenthood was forced to cancel 991 patient appointments for family planning, wellness exams, cancer screenings, and STI testing and treatment. These are real people, our neighbors, our friends, our family members, denied access to care, because of politics. The cruelty is the point. We are now in the midst of a health care access crisis — one created by Congressional Republicans, including Gabe Evans. We need to restore care to over 10,000 Coloradans so they can come back to Planned Parenthood. This cannot wait until January. We need a special session and we are tremendously grateful to the Governor and Democratic leadership for recognizing this for the emergency that it is," said Jack Teter, Vice President of Government Affairs, Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains.

"This special session is a direct result of the budget busting bill passed by the Republican majorities in congress, including Reps. Gabe Evans and Jeff Hurd, and signed into law by President Trump. With an already tight budget because of the state's constitutional constraints, H.R. 1 could lead to catastrophic cuts to health care and food assistance for Coloradans across the state. The only responsible course of action is to close tax loopholes for corporations and large businesses that benefited so greatly from the federal bill. We must act to protect Colorado's future," said Joshua Mantell of the Bell Policy Center.

"As lawmakers make difficult decisions during this special session, Colorado must continue to prioritize kids," said Heather Tritten, President and CEO of the Colorado Children's Campaign. "Federal funding is shrinking, and it's more important than ever to invest in children's health, education, and early learning here in Colorado. Our state budget is more than numbers – it reflects our values. State funding makes it possible for children to go to school, see a doctor when they need to, and grow up healthy and supported. Unfortunately, this year's budget crisis isn't an exception. Colorado urgently needs to find smart, targeted ways to raise revenue so our children and communities have what they need to thrive."

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"There is an urgent need to protect public education funding, and a special session will ensure that the Legislature has the opportunity to do just that. CASE was proud to advocate for the implementation of a much-needed new school funding formula that took effect in July, and it's critical that moves forward as planned to ensure that students have the supports and services they deserve. We know that the longer we wait to address our current state funding shortfall, the more negative the impacts will be down the road. Legislators coming together to have these critical conversations now is vital, and we look forward to working with lawmakers on protecting K-12 funding now and moving forward," said Melissa Gibson, CASE Executive Director.

"With more than 70% of Colorado's hospitals already operating under significant financial strain, it is critical that hospital funding and access to affordable care be preserved. We support the need for a special session to address immediate priorities and remain steadfast that hospital and Medicaid funding be protected at such a challenging time," said Colorado Hospital Association President and CEO Jeff Tieman.

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