MEDIA RELEASE
Monday, Nov. 2, 2026
DENVER– Today, the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative (CCHI) criticised Governor Jared Polis as he released his budget recommendations for the 2027 fiscal year, calling for yet more cuts to healthcare. They also pointed to the need for the passage of Amendment 87 to restore healthcare funds in response to brutal cuts inflicted by the Trump-led Republican Congress.
State’s Shortfall
Colorado’s Joint Budget Committee projected a $1.6 billion deficit for the 2027/2028 budget year, due in part to federal cuts from HR1 and TABOR constraints. Colorado has cut nearly $3 billion from the state budget in the last few years, with Medicaid taking the brunt of cuts.
Amendment 87 Solution
Amendment 87 on the Colorado ballot lowers taxes for 97 percent of Coloradans while asking the top 3 percent to pay their fair share. Amendment 87 is expected to raise over $2 billion, with funding earmarked for healthcare, childcare, and K-12 education. Healthcare is often cited as one of the highest expenses for families and employers. According to the Colorado Health Institute, approximately 27 percent of Coloradans cannot afford the healthcare they need. Over 100 organizations across the state, including CCHI, support Amendment 87 as a response to Colorado’s ongoing budget crisis to preserve state-funded healthcare programs.
Adam Fox, deputy director at the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative, issued the following statement:
Colorado is facing a $1.6 billion deficit next year, meaning more cuts to Medicaid and other state-funded programs that people rely on. Governor Polis’ suggested budget cuts put the health of vulnerable Coloradans at risk and exacerbate an already worsening affordability crisis. Polis, who has passed pro-consumer healthcare policies and expanded access to Medicaid, is now proposing more cuts to lifesaving programs rather than supporting a viable solution. Cuts aren’t a solution for Coloradans struggling to afford healthcare or other basic necessities. If passed, Amendment 87 will help mitigate harmful budget cuts and keep people covered, while giving 97 percent of Coloradans a tax break. These cuts, combined with Polis’s position on Amendment 87, do not support the healthcare Coloradans need.
###