Wins for Women Secured Amid State’s Largest Budget Cut Package
Legislators Worked Hard to Protect Women While Addressing A $1.2 Billion Shortfall During 2025 Legislative Session
Colorado’s first regular session of the 75th General Assembly came to a close on Wednesday, May 7, around 8 pm.
Over 120 days, legislators worked hard and through many more late nights to address a $1.2 billion shortfall and protect Colorado women who face the steepest barriers to economic security from federal attacks. With 657 bills introduced and 585 passing, minor and major policy changes are in store for our state.
The Women’s Foundation of Colorado’s contract lobbyist, Jennifer Miles of Frontline Public Affairs, has worked at the Capitol for 30 years. In all that time, she’s never seen a session quite like this one. From a budget fight that isn’t improving any time soon to threats from the federal government, in this session WFCO and our partners had to innovate short and long-term solutions to address our state’s challenges.
“This session was unique in many ways, from the largest budget cut package in recent memory to more vetoes and veto threats than usual to passage of some major bills that protect Coloradans’ rights,” said Miles. “Unfortunately, the state budget woes are just beginning with federal budget cuts expected that may necessitate a special session in Colorado.”
Wins for Women’s Economic Advancement
From mid-January to mid-May WFCO advocates, partners, staff, and lobbyists combed through introduced bills to identify priorities. Two of our three priorities passed.
Improved housing stability for victim-survivors
HB25-1168 Housing Protections for Victim-Survivors. Victim-survivors of gender-based violence have trauma with lasting economic impacts, including housing instability. Pressure from decreased and frozen federal funding mean that organizations providing vital services to victim-survivors are struggling to be sustainable and meet the needs of their participants. This bill builds upon and strengthens existing protections while also establishing new mechanisms to improve housing stability, due process in court, and access to justice and safety for victim-survivors of gender-based violence. This bill passed and is waiting to be signed by Gov. Polis as of May 9, 2025.
Access to basic needs for families
Over the years WFCO has advocated for key state investments, such as Colorado Department of Human Services Diaper Grant Program, to help women and their families meet basic needs. With the massive budget shortfall, this program was at risk of being cut. WFCO collaborated with partners to ensure that it remained in the state budget with only minor cuts. Thankfully, $1.5 million will be available as part of the state’s FY 2025-26 budget to provide diaper supplies to communities and was signed into law by Gov. Polis.
Tax reform for our future
Along with key partners WFCO fought to support HJR 25-1023 – Require General Assembly TABOR Constitutionality Lawsuit – as our third priority. While we were pleased it passed the House Finance Committee, it never made it to the House floor. We will continue to fight for policy that will improve our state’s fiscal situation to get more resources to women and their families. 
With threats coming from the federal level and a desire to support economically vulnerable Coloradans, lawmakers passed a number of bills that will increase protections for immigrants and the trans community, and further cemented access to reproductive healthcare. WFCO applauds our partners and legislative champions for their commitment to policies that will make Colorado a safer state.
You can take a look at the other bills we took positions on here.
What’s Next?
Given the likelihood of daunting cuts at the federal level and statewide policy that might need to be addressed, Gov. Polis might be calling a special session later this year. There will also be at least two measures on the 2025 coordinated election ballot. Stay tuned for WFCO news on a potential special session and the 2025 election. In the meantime, stay connected to WFCO and other groups to engage in federal advocacy.
Wanting even more? Join The Women’s Foundation of Colorado at our End of Session Celebration event on May 20.
Thank You to Our Community of Advocates
Thank you to our WINCome public policy grantee partners, which includes 9to5 Colorado, Bell Policy Center, Bread & Roses Legal Center, Colorado Center on Law and Policy, Colorado Children’s Campaign, Colorado Fiscal Institute, Colorado People’s Alliance, Colorado Poverty Law Project, Colorado Statewide Parent Coalition, and Colorado Latino Leadership, Advocacy & Research Organization.
Thank you to our community of aspiring advocates who attended our Advocating4Impact trainings, participated in our Chat4Change to learn about their civic engagement styles, and took 181 action steps to help pass bills. Your emails and calls to your legislators made a difference.
Thank you to our public policy committee members, including Brook Kramer, Jodi Rogers, Joy Sullivan, Juana Rosa Cavero, Maegan Lokteff, Renee Ferrufino, Stephanie O’Malley, and Tara Smith.
In addition, WFCO’s work at the Capitol requires a steady funding stream. Will you give to fuel our work at Colorado’s Capitol? We are already planning our support for statewide ballot measures this fall and the 2026 legislative session. Every dollar matters and moves this work forward.
