On a recent trip to Grand Junction, Governor Jared Polis emphasized the crucial need for Congress to rapidly act to renew the Enhanced Premium Tax Credit, which, if not extended, could lead to soaring health care premiums for Coloradans. During the visit, Polis met with healthcare leaders and local businesses to discuss the substantial impact the potential lack of continuation of these credits could have on individual and communal financial health.
Additionally, the Governor took time to meet with two local companies, Munro Supply and SkyHook Solar Corp. Polis heard firsthand accounts of the strain put on these businesses by the ongoing tariffs. “Today I heard more calls for help from Colorado small businesses being devastated by Trump's disastrous tariff taxes. Small businesses are the bedrock of our economy, communities, and way of life, and the President must stop crushing hardworking businesses with erratic and costly tariffs," Governor Polis said, as per the Colorado Governor's Office. He appealed to the President to earnestly reconsider these measures for the betterment of American businesses and families.
The Governor's Office and the Office of State Planning and Budgeting released a report last week revealing the toll Trump’s tariffs have taken on the state's economy. Colorado has seen its effective tariff rate jump dramatically, from 3 percent in 2024 to an overwhelming 21 percent in 2025, marking a high not seen in over a century. The report signals potential recessive threats and substantial revenue loss that could reach as high as $805 million for schools and healthcare by the 2026-2027 fiscal year.
Another focus of Polis' visit was the Food Bank of the Rockies, a pivotal community resource that distributed over 12.7 million pounds of food last year. He signed a proclamation in honor of National Hunger Action Day, recognizing the organization's efforts. “The Food Bank of the Rockies is an important lifeline for families across the Western Slope who need support putting healthy food on the table," Polis remarked, as obtained by the Colorado Governor's Office. underlining the essential nature of such services in cultivating community resilience against hunger.
