Over the past few weeks, you have likely seen news warning there will be no TABOR refund in 2025. Democrat leaders blame Washington and H.R.1, but this loss is the result of years of their deliberate decisions to weaken the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights, our state’s most important taxpayer protection.

TABOR, passed by voters in 1992, is simple: the government can only grow at a reasonable rate, and any extra revenue must be refunded to taxpayers. In recent years, this has meant refunds of $800 in 2023 and $750 in 2022, plus additional sales tax refunds in many years. These refunds help Colorado families pay bills, buy groceries, and fill their gas tanks, especially during high inflation.

And yet, over and over, Democrat leadership has worked to undermine TABOR. In the last legislative session they passed or supported three major measures that either chip away at TABOR or seek to get rid of it:

• HB25-1296: Alters tax credits and sales tax policies in ways that allow the state to collect more revenue now and spend it instead of refunding it.

• SB25-173: Redefines certain types of revenue so they no longer count toward the TABOR limit, meaning the state keeps more without voter approval.

• HJR25-1023: Would have authorized Democrats to question the constitutionality of TABOR.

These bills are not about solving a one-year budget issue. They are part of a long-term strategy to make refunds smaller, less frequent, and eventually nonexistent. That is not responsible budgeting; it is an intentional disregard for the will of the voters.

In 2023, Coloradans from every political background rejected Proposition HH, which would have let the state keep more of their refund. Minority Leader Rose Pugliese, alongside Sen. Barbara Kirkmeyer, co-chaired the opposition, traveling the state to build a coalition and stop another attempt to take refunds.

The majority ignored that message, instead passing measures that make the budget dependent on money that should be refunded. This year’s federal bill gave them cover to point fingers, but their actions have drained the surplus. Without those actions, Coloradans would still be on track for a refund.

TABOR was designed to weather economic ups and downs. Yet now that it is politically convenient, the Majority Party uses Coloradans’ love for TABOR to point fingers at H.R.1. but when Democrats are passing laws, they consistently describe TABOR as a hindrance to Colorado.

Gov. Jared Polis cannot claim to support TABOR while his party passes policies that reduce refunds.

Naming the checks as the “Colorado Cash Back Program” and signing them with his name does not change that. You cannot celebrate giving taxpayers their money back while working to make sure there is less to give.

Some argue that keeping more revenue in the budget is necessary for public programs. But Colorado’s budget has grown dramatically in recent years. We do not have a revenue problem—we have a prioritization problem. Instead of eliminating waste and focusing on core government functions, the majority continues to expand programs and create new spending obligations, crowding out taxpayer refunds.

We believe Colorado can and must do better. We can protect TABOR, honor the will of the voters, and still fund essential services. That requires discipline, transparency and a willingness to set priorities, something we have been fighting for every day at the state Capitol.

The loss of the 2025 TABOR refund is not inevitable. It is the culmination of years of decisions made in Denver. If we want those refunds to return and stay, we must stop the slow dismantling of TABOR and respect the limits Colorado voters put in place more than 30 years ago.

H.R.1 did not kill your TABOR refund. The Democrats’ disregard for TABOR did. Unless we act now, this year’s “one-time” loss could become permanent.

We are asking you, our fellow Coloradans, to take action. Email your Democrat state representative and senator. Tell them to vote no on any policy that chips away at TABOR, denies you your refund, or undermines your right to vote on tax increases. Let them know you are watching, and that you expect them to protect the taxpayer protections Coloradans have supported for decades.

We will continue to fight for TABOR; Colorado taxpayers deserve nothing less.

Rep. Rose Pugliese is the Colorado House minority leader, representing House District 14 in Colorado Springs. Rep. Ryan Gonzalez represents House District 50, serving communities in Weld County. Sen. Byron Pelton represents Senate District 1 in northeastern Colorado.