Americans for Prosperity and The LIBRE Initiative Denounce Colorado’s HB21-1351 as Political Theater

Apr 12, 2022 by AFP

DENVER, CO – Today, Americans for Prosperity (AFP) and The LIBRE Initiative (LIBRE) denounced Colorado’s HB21-1351, a bill that would delay SB21-260, otherwise known as the “gas fee,” by 6 months, from July 1, 2022 to January 1, 2023.

This legislation has been introduced as an attempt to shield politicians who supported SB21-260 from voter backlash in November.

Jesse Mallory, State Director of Americans for Prosperity-Colorado, and Angel Merlos, Strategic Director of The LIBRE Initiative-Colorado, released the following statement:

“Lawmakers in Denver who enacted SB21-260 – violating the constitution and betraying their constituents – should own up to their actions. Instead, they’re playing more political games by delaying the unwanted “gas fee” in hopes of tricking voters in November. AFP is committed to upholding transparency in government and will be educating voters on the disingenuous tactics of their elected officials. We will not let these politicians hide from their records.”

Background:

AFP and LIBRE have been a strong proponent of Colorado’s TABOR since its inception. The grassroots organizations engaged their grassroots activists through door knocking and phone banking—making over several hundred thousand voter contacts, lobbied, spent over $2 million dollars in campaigns, hosted community events and townhalls, and more in support of TABOR and the efforts to get Proposition 117 enacted into law.

AFP and LIBRE have been outspoken against SB21-260, as unapproved and unwanted by voters. They have made countless voter contacts on the issue through phone calls, mail, and digital ads.

In April, 2022 AFP, Sen. Sonnenberg, and concerned citizens, filed a legal complaint against SB21-260 on account of it violating the constitution and Proposition 117 to fund hyper-partisan political agendas without taxpayer approval.