PETITION TO BLOCK AUTOMATIC PAY RAISES FOR COLORADO ELECTED OFFICIALS

To the Members of the Colorado General Assembly:

WHEREAS, Colorado is currently facing a $1.5 billion budget deficit, requiring lawmakers to make difficult decisions, including cutting spending, delaying projects, and asking families and businesses to tighten their budgets; and

WHEREAS, at the same time, automatic salary increases for statewide elected officials and state legislators are scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2027, based on recommendations from an independent commission triggered by a 2024 law (HB24-1059); and

WHEREAS, these proposed increases include a 45% raise for the Attorney General, a 28% raise for the State Treasurer, a 26% raise for the Secretary of State, an 11% raise for the Governor, and a 6% raise for every state legislator; and

WHEREAS, these raises are not required by the State Constitution and were never submitted to a direct vote of the people of Colorado; and

WHEREAS, these increases will cost taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars in the first year alone, diverting resources that could otherwise be used for schools, infrastructure, public safety, or to help alleviate the rising cost of living for Colorado familie; and

WHEREAS, Colorado voters expect elected officials to demonstrate fiscal responsibility and lead by example, particularly during times of economic hardship; and

WHEREAS, failure by the Legislature to act before adjournment of the current legislative session on May 13, 2026 will allow these pay raises to take effect automatically;

THEREFORE, we, the undersigned Colorado voters and taxpayers, respectfully but firmly petition every member of the Colorado House of Representatives and the Senate to take the following actions immediately:

• Introduce or cosponsor legislation in the current legislative session to block, repeal, or modify the automatic pay raises so they do not take effect in 2027; and
  
  
• Unanimously support and vote in favor of such legislation without delay and without amendments that would weaken its intent or effectiveness.

FURTHER, we call upon our elected officials to place the interests of Colorado taxpayers above their own financial gain and to restore public trust by acting decisively to prevent these automatic pay increases.

FINALLY, we affirm that Colorado voters will hold accountable those who fail to act in the public interest on this matter.

Signed,