The Biden Agenda is Delivering for Colorado. Deal will Create Jobs, Build Our Infrastructure Back Better

Where do Republican Candidates Stand on Child Tax Credit? Infrastructure Bill?

Today, Colorado has the pleasure of welcoming President Joe Biden for his first visit to the Centennial State as Commander-in-chief. Since taking office in January, President Biden has worked tirelessly with Democrats to crush the COVID-19 virus, get our economy moving again, lower healthcare costs, and help get people back to work. 

As we’re seeing in real time, whether it is the American Rescue Plan, the bipartisan infrastructure package, or the Build Back Better agenda, President Biden and Democrats are delivering for Colorado, and voters are taking note. 63% of voters support the bipartisan infrastructure package, and 70% of voters support the Build Back Better economic agenda.

While President Biden and Democrats are delivering for Colorado, Colorado Republican elected officials and candidates continue to put partisan politics first. 

Morgan Carroll, Chair of the Colorado Democratic Party:

“President Biden and Democrats are delivering for the people of Colorado. We’re so pleased to welcome the President to our beautiful state, and we are proud that under his leadership, our country is building back better and moving in the right direction. Our economy is roaring back, jobless claims continue to fall, childhood poverty is on the decline, and for the first time in four years, we have a leader in the White House who is prioritizing protecting public lands and our natural environment through innovative, job-creating programs. Yet, despite all the progress we have made for the people, Colorado Republicans like Lauren Boebert, Ken Buck, and Doug Lamborn continue to obstruct and play partisan politics over the needs of their constituents.”

“Republican candidates running for Governor or U.S. Senate need to be honest with Colorado voters. Do they support popular programs like cleaner and cheaper renewable energy and the bipartisan infrastructure deal? Or will they blindly follow the likes of Boebert, Buck, and Lamborn and oppose legislation that supports working Colorado families?”

The expanded Child Tax Credit is a Tax Cut for Working Families

Senator Michael Bennet has been fighting for an expanded Child Tax Credit since 2015. His work became the American Family Act, which was projected to cut childhood poverty almost in half. As an integral part of the American Rescue Plan, Senator Bennet and President Biden’s move to cut taxes for working families is delivering for Colorado.

• In August, Colorado families received an average tax cut of $425 and it has helped more than one million Colorado kids.
• "The first installment of the child tax credit lifted 3 million kids out of poverty in July, according to a Columbia University study. That reduction represented a 25% cut in the monthly child poverty rate to 11.9% from 15.8%" (CNBC, 8.25.21)
• It’s estimated that making the expanded child tax credit permanent would slash Colorado’s childhood poverty rate by 37.8%. The same study found that it would cut childhood poverty by more than half in other states. (CNBC, 9.9.21)
• To ensure Colorado families are able to take advantage of this tax cut, Governor Jared Polis and Senator Bennet are teaming up on an awareness campaign. (Fox21, 9.13.21)
• All three of Colorado’s Republican members of Congress voted ‘No’ on the expanded Child Tax Credit.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Package will Build on Colorado Democrats’ Efforts to Improve our Infrastructure

Thanks in large part to the leadership of Senator John Hickenlooper and his fellow members of the bipartisan senate team, President Biden was able to usher through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act through the Senate. In 2021, Colorado Democrats in the legislature took action of their own to build our state’s infrastructure back stronger, from roads to broadband internet. These actions will make life better for Coloradans, create good-paying jobs, and spur economic growth. 

• The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is the single largest dedicated bridge investment since the construction of the interstate highway system. Based on formula funding alone, Colorado could expect to receive $3.7 billion for federal-aid highway apportioned programs and $225 million for bridge replacement and repairs under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act over five years when passed. (KKTV, 8.4.21) 
• Additionally, under the bill, thanks to Senator Michael Bennet, Colorado would receive a minimum allocation of $100 million to help provide broadband coverage across the state. This would also include providing access to the 85,000+ Coloradans currently lacking access. (KKTV, 8.4.21)
• Governor Jared Polis and Democrats also took action to address Colorado’s infrastructure, passing ambitious legislation to fix our roads and bridges while investing in renewable energy vehicles. (AP, 6.17.21)
• Governor Polis and Democrats also passed legislation to increase access to broadband internet in rural areas, creating a new office to oversee broadband deployment across the state. (GJ Sentinel, 6.29.21)

Whether in D.C. or Colorado, Democrats are Delivering, in spite of Republicans

President Biden and Colorado Democrats both in Congress and at the State Capitol have taken decisive action to build Colorado’s economy back better and stronger from the pandemic. 

• The American Rescue Plan supported Colorado with $3.926 billion in state fiscal relief, $2.088 billion in local fiscal relief, and More than $1.211 billion in relief for K-12 schools. (Colorado Dems, 4.29.21)
• The American Rescue Plan also supported Colorado with economic impact payments of up to $1,400 per person for more than 3,365,700 adults and 1,364,600 children. This is 82% of all adults and 81% of all children in the state. (Colorado Dems, 4.29.21)
• Additionally, the American Rescue Plan brought additional relief of up to nearly $1,000 through the Earned Income Tax Credit to 299,000 childless Colorado workers, including many in frontline jobs. (Colorado Dems, 4.29.21)
• In the General Assembly, Governor Jared Polis and Colorado Democrats took action in the ‘historic’ 2021 legislative session, passing sweeping legislation to increase the state’s Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit, support small businesses, address affordable housing lower health insurance and drug costs, invest in our workforce, expand education opportunities, and protect our natural environment. (KDVR, 6.10.21)
• All three of Colorado’s Republican members of Congress voted ‘No’ on the American Rescue Plan, and Colorado Republicans in the state legislature opposed numerous of the measures. 

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