A look inside Day at the Capitol

The AARP Colorado Advocacy Team was hard at work for its annual Day at the Capitol February 26.

The Advocacy Team is a group of volunteers and staff that studies legislation, learns about the issues, and advocates on behalf of the 50-plus in-person and online before the state legislature. Once per legislative session, the team gathers for Day at the Capitol, a fast and furious event that connects the team with elected officials and covers multiple issues. This year, AARP Colorado cohosted the event with the Colorado chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association.

“Our volunteer advocates worked incredibly hard to get good information into the hands of state legislators,” Karen Moldovan, AARP Colorado advocacy director, said. “It was an incredibly busy and productive Day at the Capitol.”

Volunteer advocates covered three bills impacting the financial wellbeing of older Coloradans:

SB 79

With fraud involving cryptocurrency ATMs rapidly increasing, SB 79 implements reasonable protections that will enable crypto ATMs to be used for lawful purposes but also protect older Coloradans from fraud. These protections include:

o Imposing daily transaction limits

o Posting fraud warning notices

o Providing a receipt of the transaction

o Requiring operators of crypto ATMs to provide a refund for fraudulent transactions

SB 013

AARP believes targeted tax credits for older Coloradans, based upon income, is an essential part of the housing and financial security safety net for the 50-plus.

SB 013 has a tax credit targeted at those older Coloradans (65 or older) most in need of assistance. It is based on those with incomes less than $75,000 (or less than or equal to $125,000 if filing a joint return). It covers both renters and homeowners not receiving the Senior Homestead Exemption. The tax credit itself is easy to administer and is cost effective.

“With rising property taxes, soaring rent costs and inflation adversely impacting older Coloradans, supporting SB 013 makes good fiscal sense,” Moldovan said.

HB 1199

Paying rising property taxes in just one or two large bills each year creates financial challenges for older Coloradans on a fixed income.

HB 1199 addresses those challenges by splitting property taxes up into four quarterly payments, instead of two biannual payments.

“This small measure would make a world of difference for older Coloradans struggling with increasing bills,” Moldovan said. “Several U.S. jurisdictions offer property tax installment payment options and Colorado should do the same.”

What it is like “under the dome”

If you have never been to the Colorado Statehouse, it is an experience unto itself.

The building is ornate, with brass railings throughout and art every way you look.

The art-adorned walls and pathways swarm with advocates of all ages, with many trying to send notes to legislators with hopes of talking about the issues they care about.

Successful advocates rush to get their points in before legislators move on with their day and to the votes they need to participate in.

After action

After a busy morning talking with legislators, the Alzheimer’s Association and AARP Colorado hosted legislators for a lunch and learn about the issues facing communities across the state.