Gov. Jared Polis says he doesn’t support a bipartisan bill that would ban the sale of flavored tobacco and nicotine products, including menthol cigarettes, because he prefers a local regulatory approach. But some city and county leaders explicitly support the measure, now stalled in the legislature, and two organizations that represent local governments and fiercely […]
nicotine tax
Posted inBusiness, News, Politics and Government
Here’s how much money Colorado’s new nicotine, increased cigarette taxes generated in their first 5 months
A new nicotine tax and an increased tax on cigarettes and other tobacco products in Colorado generated more than $34 million in their first five months, according to a data analysis by The Colorado Sun. Proposition EE, which was passed by voters in November, went into effect in January, raising the taxes on a pack […]
Posted inNews
Colorado school finance bill would spare districts from impact of enrollment declines
Colorado school districts would avoid the worst budget hits from losing 30,000 students this school year under a bill that received initial support from the Joint Budget Committee Thursday. The bill sends an extra $60 million to school districts — $41 million to make up for lost local tax revenue and another $19 million to districts […]
Posted inBusiness, Crime and Courts, Election 2020, News, Politics and Government
Emails show negotiations involving Colorado governor, cigarette giant that led to tobacco tax hike
Gov. Jared Polis’ office was asked to meet several conditions insisted upon by Altria in exchange for the cigarette giant agreeing not to fight legislation that put a question on the November ballot asking voters to raise tobacco and nicotine taxes in Colorado, emails obtained by The Colorado Sun show. One of those conditions included […]
Posted inElection 2020, Politics and Government
Colorado election 2020 results: President, Senate, House and ballot questions
Colorado voters set turnout records in the 2020 election, driven by huge interest in the presidential race, a major U.S. Senate contest, a close battle in the 3rd Congressional District and a series of significant ballot measures. The Colorado Sun is tracking the election results in these top races and updating the counts in real […]
Posted inBusiness, Education, Election 2020, Health, Outdoors, Politics and Government
Colorado 2020 election: A quick guide to the ballot questions on abortion, wolves, taxes, sick leave and more
Colorado voters will decide 11 statewide policy questions on the November ballot — a list of far-reaching measures that will help set the direction for the state’s future. The 2020 ballot asks voters whether Colorado should put limits on abortion and create a state program designed to provide paid time off to workers for medical […]
Posted inOpinion, Opinion Columns
Opinion: Investing in our present and future doesn’t have to be just a slogan for Colorado voters
We find ourselves in uncertain times, but this November, Coloradans will have the opportunity to take a concrete step forward in support of health and education. By voting yes on Proposition EE, we can choose to boost community health, particularly for our teens, protect our public schools from the worst of the budget cuts facing […]
Posted inColoradans, Education, News, Politics and Government
Voters will decide in November whether all Colorado 4-year-olds can attend preschool starting in 2023
By fall 2023, thousands more Colorado 4-year-olds could be gathering in preschool classrooms for a few hours each week to practice their letters and listen to storytime in preparation for kindergarten. It’s a vision that state leaders — namely Gov. Jared Polis — and early childhood advocates have been chasing for decades. They might finally […]
Posted inBusiness, News, Politics and Government
In final hours of legislative session, Colorado Democrats bring bill to raise cigarette taxes, create nicotine tax
Democrats in the Colorado legislature on Thursday introduced an 11th-hour bill that seeks to ask voters in November to raise taxes on cigarettes and start taxing other products that contain nicotine. House Bill 1427 would ask voters to gradually — but significantly — raise the taxes over the next seven fiscal years. Whereas taxes on […]
Posted inBusiness, News, Politics and Government
Could a new nicotine tax pay for free preschool in Colorado? Advocates want to ask voters in November.
Colorado voters could decide this November whether to fund free preschool for 4-year-olds statewide by taxing tobacco and vaping products. On Friday, two citizens took the first step toward putting the question on November’s ballot, filing more than a dozen possible versions with the state’s Office of Legislative Council, which reviews potential initiatives before sending […]