January 2026 issue includes:

• A letter from our CEO
• 2026 Legislative preview event recording & resources / Grabación y recursos del evento de Vista Previa Legislativa 2026
• Our 2026 Legislative priority platform
• Community Testimony Guide / Guía de Testimonio Comunitario
• Case Study: Lessons from the Public Health Emergency Unwind
• CCLP in the news
• Reform the Colorado Benefits Management System fact sheet
• Coloradans address OBBBA's attack on public programs blog
• Recommendations on the Implementation of the OBBBA in Colorado
• Become a CCLP Rights Defenders
• Meeting rooms at CCLP for rent
• Community updates & opportunities

January 2026

A letter from our CEO

Hello friends,

After a short respite for the holidays, our team is back in action strategizing for the legislative session and navigating the tumultuous landscape created by our federal government. The fight for justice feels daunting and heavy, and it is. We see it in our work at CCLP, in the news, and in our own lives. Our hearts are hurting for our neighbors and communities, near and far.

Amidst the chaos and upheaval comes unexpected opportunities, illuminated by lights we didn’t even know were there. We have so many leaders in community stepping up to shine their light brightly to care for one another, and that includes you. Thank you for your camaraderie and ongoing support.

In these hard times, please don’t hesitate to reach out with your thoughts, questions and ideas. This isn’t a time to hold back, be cautious, and preserve what is. Now is about what can be.

2026 Legislative Preview

Thank you for joining us for our 2026 Legislative Preview with Colorado Fiscal Institute, Colorado Consumer Health Initiative, and The Bell Policy Center!

If you were unable to join but still want to learn about our priorities, you can watch the recording below.

Vista Previa Legislativa 2026

¡Gracias por acompañarnos en nuestra Vista Previa Legislativa 2026 con Colorado Fiscal Institute, Colorado Consumer Health Initiative y The Bell Policy Center!

Si no pudiste asistir pero aún deseas conocer nuestras prioridades, puedes ver la grabación a continuación.

Our 2026 legislative priority platform

Advancing economic justice

Advocating for tax reforms that ensure corporations and the wealthy pay their fair share and reduce burdens on working Coloradans.

Defending public programs

Supporting functional, person-centered public programs that improve health, meet changing needs, support the workforce, and lift Colorado’s economy.

Strengthening consumer rights

Protecting community members from exploitative business practices and working to break cycles of debt and poverty.

The 2026 legislative session begins on January 14, 2026. Stay tuned as our priority bills are introduced in the Colorado legislature. And follow the bills we are taking positions on with our 2026 bill tracker.

Community Testimony Guide

Guía de Testimonio Comunitario

So, you want to testify!

That’s amazing! Testifying is an important way for any member of the public to get involved in the legislative process and shape the bills that become laws in our state.

Learn more about how to testify in our Community Testimony Guide. This guide was prepared for Colorado’s 2026 legislative session.

¡Entonces quieres testificar!

¡Eso es increíble! Testificar es una forma importante para que cualquier miembro del público se involucre en el proceso legislativo y dé forma a los proyectos de ley que se convierten en leyes en nuestro estado.

Aprende más sobre cómo testificar en nuestra Guía de Testimonio Comunitario. Esta guía fue preparada para la sesión legislativa de Colorado de 2026.

Case Study: Lessons from the Public Health Emergency Unwind

CCLP in the news

Protect Colorado's Future

• TABOR and the Colorado Constitution’s fiscal Gordian Knot | Miller Hudson - Colorado Politics
• For third time, state board approves ballot title for progressive income tax - The Sum & Substance
• Opinion: TABOR is the real drag on Colorado’s budget woes, not Medicaid - The Colorado Sun
• Colorado officials again stall progressive income tax ballot initiative by declaring it to have multiple subjects - The Sum & Substance (syndicated in Colorado Politics)
• Income tax overhaul in Colorado clears first hurdle, as revised estimate puts tax hike at $4 billion - The Denver Gazette

CCLP

• The big bills to watch as Colorado’s 2026 legislative session begins - The Colorado Sun
• 129 Organizations Urge Congress to Pass Clean extension of enhanced ACA subsidies - National Women's Law Center
• Colorado’s pay transparency law increased wages across the board, study finds - Colorado Newsline

Reform the Colorado Benefits Management System

This fact sheet focuses on the most recent and current contract Colorado has with Deloitte, the operating vendor for the Colorado Benefits Management System

The purpose of this fact sheet is to ensure policy decision-makers are aware of Deloitte’s poor performance, the platform’s poor user experience for beneficiaries, and the current contract’s rising and continued costs — a major concern given Colorado’s ongoing budget crisis.

Become a CCLP RIGHTS DEFENDER!

By joining as a monthly-donor, you will know that your dollars are going directly into the fight to preserve the rights and benefits of low-income Coloradans.

As our thanks to you, we will provide you with exclusive updates directly from our advocates on the front lines.

Crucial work is already underway, but we need your support. Help us continue this work!

Meeting rooms at CCLP

CCLP meeting rooms are available at low cost to nonprofit organizations needing modern, productive spaces for events and group activities.

CCLP's office includes four modern meeting spaces, ready to serve our communities. These conference rooms are suitable for small or large meetings, including events hosting as many as 50 people at a time.

All rooms come equipped with audio/visual video conferencing capabilities.

Community updates & opportunities:

2026 CO Freedom Fund Municipal Court Convening

With recent developments advancing municipal court fairness, and with the 2026 legislative session now underway, CCLP is happy to support Colorado Freedom Fund's Municipal Court Convening on Thursday, January 29, 2026, from 4:00–5:30pm.

We hope you’ll join us, along with Representative Javier Mabrey and newly elected Westminster City Council Member Jack Johnson.

Community Resource Connection Hub

The Community Resource Connection Hub is a pilot project offering free, one-on-one support to help neighbors find and connect with the resources they need. Located inside the Westwood Community Center (1000 S. Lowell Blvd), the Hub is staffed by compassionate staff who understand what you’re going through. Learn more on about the Hub from Elevated Denver!

Join a Community-Owned Rideshare Platform in Colorado

Drivers are uniting to build a community-owned rideshare platform in Colorado. By owning the platform, Coloradans can earn more, take control of their lives, and keep wealth within our communities. Get started today and learn more about Drivers Cooperative Colorado!

Every dollar makes a difference

We depend on support from individual donors to help us improve economic security and access to affordable health care for Coloradans facing poverty. We cannot do this important work without you.

CCLP is a 501c(3) nonprofit organization, and all donations are tax deductible for state and federal income tax purposes. We’ll send a letter acknowledging your donation and noting our tax-exempt status.

Colorado Center on Law and Policy is an antipoverty organization advancing the rights of every Coloradan.

Colorado Center on Law and Policy

789 N. Sherman St., Suite 300

Denver CO, 80203

Call: 303-573-5669

Fax: 303-573-4947

copolicy.org