Colorado Dems move forward on bill to stash millions in taxpayer dollars to fight Trump admin in court

A new Colorado bill has recently cleared a major hurdle, giving the governor broad power to spend taxpayer dollars in anticipation of potential actions from the Trump administration. The bill, known as HB25-1321 or the “Support Against Adverse Federal Action,” will allocate $4 million from the state’s infrastructure cash fund as a precaution against federal retaliation over state laws that may conflict with President Donald Trump’s executive orders.

Under the provisions of the bill, the governor’s office will have the authority to utilize the fund to hire external legal counsel or contractors to address federal decisions that impact grants, contracts, or funding allocated to Colorado. Additionally, the funds can be used to cover legal expenses for state employees who may face federal investigations or lawsuits related to their official duties.

The bill was approved by the House Committee on Appropriations on Tuesday and is set to be reviewed by the full House before proceeding to the Senate for further consideration. This move by Colorado Democrats appears to mirror California’s strategy, where Governor Gavin Newsom sanctioned $50 million in taxpayer funds earlier this year to support legal battles and protection for undocumented immigrants against federal actions.

However, State Republicans have criticized the bill’s passage, arguing that the state legislature is diverting taxpayer funds meant for infrastructure projects to defend against federal challenges. Republican State Representative Brandi Bradley expressed disbelief over the allocation of $4 million for potential lawsuits against the federal government, highlighting pressing issues such as deteriorating roads, escalating crime rates, and struggling education systems in the state.

Jarrett Freedman, the communications director for Colorado House Democrats, defended the bill by stating that it aims to safeguard the state from unconstitutional federal actions that could jeopardize funding for crucial sectors like healthcare, education, public safety, the environment, and infrastructure. Freedman pointed out instances where Trump administration decisions have impacted funding for various programs in Colorado, underscoring the need for proactive measures.

In a separate development, a U.S. district judge issued a preliminary injunction ordering the release of billions of dollars allocated by Biden-era initiatives, including infrastructure and inflation reduction programs. This decision comes amidst concerns over federal funding freezes imposed by the Trump administration to ensure compliance with his executive orders.

The passage of the “Support Against Adverse Federal Action” bill follows a series of controversial bills approved by Colorado House Democrats, some of which directly challenge Trump’s executive orders. These bills include mandates for taxpayer-funded abortion services, insurance coverage for transgender procedures irrespective of age, state-imposed gender policies in schools, and restrictions on out-of-state investigations related to transgender procedures and abortion services.

Overall, the political landscape in Colorado continues to evolve, with Democrats and Republicans clashing over legislative decisions and strategies to protect the state’s interests in the face of potential federal challenges. The outcome of these ongoing debates and the implementation of proactive measures like the “Support Against Adverse Federal Action” bill will significantly impact the state’s future trajectory.