Staff Reports
Colorado’s Democrat-controlled legislature is once again making headlines, this time for advancing a bill that would siphon $4 million away from infrastructure funds to bankroll legal battles against the Trump administration. This move, orchestrated by Governor Jared Polis and his legislative allies, comes at a time when the state faces a staggering $1.2 billion budget shortfall, crumbling roads, and some of the highest violent and property crime rates in the nation. Yet, instead of focusing on the real issues plaguing everyday Coloradans, Democrats are prioritizing political grandstanding and legal warfare against Washington.
The bill, HB25-1321, would hand Governor Polis sweeping authority to use these funds however he sees fit—hiring outside legal teams, defending state officials, and launching lawsuits against the federal government. Notably, this legal war chest would be controlled by the Governor’s office rather than the Attorney General, raising serious questions about transparency and checks on executive power. Republicans have rightfully called this a blatant power grab and a misuse of taxpayer dollars that were meant to improve roads, bridges, and essential infrastructure across the state.
What’s even more alarming is the context in which this bill is being pushed. Colorado’s budget is already stretched to the breaking point, with deep cuts looming for healthcare, education, and core services. Lawmakers have already slashed millions from transportation and other vital programs just to keep the state afloat. Meanwhile, crime remains stubbornly high, with Colorado ranking eighth in violent crime and fourth in property crime nationwide. Instead of channeling resources to address these urgent needs, Democrats are diverting funds to fight ideological battles and protect their controversial legislative agenda from federal scrutiny.
This legal fund is being justified as a defense against potential “adverse federal action,” but let’s be honest: it’s an insurance policy for Colorado Democrats to shield themselves from the consequences of their radical policies. In recent months, the legislature has rammed through bills that trample parental rights, force taxpayers to fund abortion and gender-transition procedures, and even threaten to strip custody from parents who don’t affirm their child’s chosen gender or pronouns. It’s no wonder they’re worried about federal pushback—they’ve chosen to govern by ideology rather than common sense.
At the end of the day, this $4 million legal slush fund is a slap in the face to hardworking Coloradans who expect their tax dollars to be spent on safer roads, better schools, and stronger communities, not on partisan legal crusades. The priorities of Colorado’s Democrat leaders have never been clearer: protecting their power and advancing a divisive agenda will always come before the real needs of the people they were elected to serve. If Colorado is to get back on track, it’s time for leaders who put families, safety, and fiscal responsibility first, not political theatrics and executive overreach.
