Signed into law by Governor Polis on June 4, 2025, HB 25-1327 overhauls Colorado's statewide ballot initiative process by imposing stricter disclosure rules, earlier deadlines, mandatory progress reports on signature gathering (with fines up to $1,500 for noncompliance), and—most critically—requiring detailed fiscal impact statements for any proposed tax increase, including "maximum dollar amount" estimates of revenue gains and spending changes in ballot titles, the Blue Book, and voter guides. Framed as "transparency enhancements," the bill shifts title board deadlines earlier, demands comparison charts for multiple drafts, and forces proponents to highlight exactly how much a tax hike will cost governments (i.e., how much more they'll rake in), while applying to initiatives submitted after enactment—effectively making it harder and more expensive for citizen-led tax relief efforts like TABOR reinforcements or rate cuts to qualify for the ballot.
This is voter suppression disguised as "transparency"—Democrats, terrified of Coloradans actually using TABOR to slap down their endless tax grabs, just rigged the ballot initiative game with bureaucratic landmines designed to bury any grassroots push for lower taxes. They force tax-cut proponents to jump through flaming hoops: earlier deadlines, public shaming of signature progress (so Big Government can target circulators), and scare-tactic dollar figures plastered on ballots screaming "this will cost the state $X million" while conveniently ignoring how much it saves overtaxed families. News flash: governments don't "lose revenue"—they stop stealing from your paycheck. Polis signed this steaming pile faster than you can say "one-party rule," proving he’s no moderate—he’s just another blue-state hack making it nearly impossible for citizens to fight back against the $250 million special-session heist or future spending binges. If a Republican legislature did this to abortion or gun initiatives, the media would scream fascism; but when Dems silence taxpayer revolts, it’s “good government.” Absolute power-grab garbage from a party that knows the people hate their taxes but refuses to let us vote on it. TABOR forever—burn this bill.