Coloradans are deeply concerned about cost of living, skyrocketing crime, and the lack of accountability and success in our education system. At Advance Colorado, we are committed to making Colorado affordable, prioritizing public safety, and expanding education opportunities for all.
For more than a century, Colorado voters have used the ballot box not just to elect leaders but also to make laws, shaping the state’s most defining policies through citizen-led initiatives.
Those two avenues of policymaking — the first by legislators, the second by citizens — yet represent another point of tension that is inherent to America’s grand experiment in representative democracy. At times, it leads to reaction and counter-reaction, both within and outside the state Capitol.
With another special session looming on the horizon, the biggest issue is an unexpected one: taxes on overtime and tips. The federal government recently eliminated taxes on overtime, clearing the way for working families to earn extra income without the government dipping its hand in. Not one to lose an opportunity to send additional funds to themselves, Colorado’s liberal Legislature passed HB1296, ensuring that, even though the tax breaks passed at the federal level, the state would be guaranteed millions of dollars in revenue — coming directly from working families.
A political group is hoping to bring a measure to the 2026 ballot that would eliminate state taxes on tips and overtime pay, aligning Colorado’s policy with a recent change at the federal level.Â
Achievement gaps persist not because we don’t care—but because we’re not using what works.
This report shows what does.
Read more: https://bit.ly/4naVnRt
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With one of the nation’s largest recidivism declines (-40 %) since 2008, Colorado still faces complex public-safety trends. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3JsPS2v #copolitics
Kim Osterman`s fight for justice wasn`t easy, but it brought her peace. The sentencing of her son`s drug dealer, Sergio Guerra-Carrillo, is a step toward saving lives. It`s time for accountability.
Read more using our link in bio.
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Colorado is now the second most dangerous state in the nation — but how did we get here? District Attorney George Brauchler joins Kristi Burton Brown to break down the data, the policies behind the crisis, and what can be done to fix it. Learn more with our link in bio. #copolitics
Dr. Debora Scheffel’s latest report outlines four key leverage points:
Direct instruction
Scope and sequence curriculum
Skill mastery
High-dosage tutoring
Read more with our link in bio.
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ICYMI: Fentanyl continues to devastate Colorado communities — yet real reform was blocked in the legislature. Senator Byron Pelton joins Kristi Burton Brown to discuss his bill and why rural voices matter. Learn more with our link in bio. #copolitics
Kristi Burton Brown interviews Hunter Rivera — Colorado State Director for the American Conservation Coalition and the youngest county chairman for Colorado Republicans. Kristi and Hunter discuss strategies and issues to reach younger voters as well as keys to discussing environmental issues and conservation.
Kristi Burton Brown discusses a new Advance Colorado Institute report with Yazmin Navarro — Colorado State Board of Education member and the Advance Growth and Opportunity Fellow. Yazmin breaks down statistics that show school choice — and charter schools in particular — benefit students from minority populations or difficult economic backgrounds. They discuss several clear […]
Michael Fields and Kristi Burton Brown discuss the new ballot measure dealing with Colorado’s fentanyl crisis. The measure would require jail time for all fentanyl drug dealers and also offer court-mandated treatment for low-level users, combining a tough approach on criminals with a compassionate answer for those stuck in the cycle of addiction.
We’re grateful for your continued support and have big plans for 2025. Help spread the word and stay engaged as we work to return Colorado to the special place we know it to be and love.
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