Guest Columnist – Colorado’s Path to an Affordable Future

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Camino de Colorado hacia un futuro asequible

Congresista Jeff Hurd

Congressman for Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District

Angel Merlos

Strategic Director, The LIBRE Initiative

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When the LIBRE Institute completed its national Latino poll in early summer 2025, one issue stood out: the economy and cost of living. Over 83% of Latinos nationwide—including those in Colorado—said it was their top concern. More than 93% worried about rising taxes and the economic squeeze making it harder to make ends meet.

Few states felt the pressure more than Colorado. During the Biden administration, Colorado saw nearly 18% average inflation. From rural towns to urban centers, taxes, energy costs, and housing prices have climbed. Families across Colorado have felt the strain.

That’s why, when I came to Congress representing Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District—where over 25% of residents are Latino—I focused on solutions that address affordability and put working families back in charge of their financial futures.

Colorado’s Path to an Affordable Future

First, we tackled taxes. In early 2025, I worked with my colleagues in Congress to prevent a major tax increase while also supporting policies that reduce the deficit and allow families to keep more of what they earn. The Working Families Tax Cut will save Colorado families an estimated $4,000 on average. The idea is simple: you know how to spend your money better than Washington does.

Next, we addressed energy, another key driver of household costs. Colorado ranks as the 9th largest energy producer in the U.S., with oil, natural gas, wind, and solar powering our state’s economic engine. Last December, a bipartisan vote reformed the federal permitting process through the SPEED Act, helping projects move forward more predictably. That means more jobs, more infrastructure investment, and more reliable energy supply—benefits that can help stabilize costs for families and businesses across the state, especially in rural communities.

Colorado’s Path to an Affordable Future

Housing was our next focus. From the San Luis Valley to the Western Slope, Colorado faces a severe housing shortage. Our state ranks among the least affordable in the country, with many families spending 30–40% of their income on rent or mortgages. That’s why I supported the Housing for the 21st Century Act, which passed the U.S. House on a bipartisan basis and is the most significant housing bill in nearly a decade. The bill encourages home construction by reducing unnecessary regulations, improving zoning coordination, and cutting federal red tape for builders while maintaining safety and environmental standards. Colorado can build homes safely and quickly, but we need to allow builders to do their jobs.

The 119th Congress came in with a clear mandate: tackle the cost of living for Americans. While this is my first term, I have already partnered with colleagues across the aisle to deliver results for working-class Latinos and all Coloradans. Together, we are working to make the American Dream affordable again so that our communities can build the life they want and deserve.