Governor Jared Polis signed Executive Order D 2025 009 on August 6th calling for a special legislative session come August 21st.
The Governor’s excuse for this Special Session is to address the $1.2 billion total projected revenue loss after the federal government passed the “Big Beautiful Bill” (H.R.1), which changed the way the federal government funds the states.
This financial squeeze is being called a crisis – but don’t forget that every past overreach started with a “crisis”. Gun owners in the state are suspicious of another gathering of these politicians before January, and rightly so.
RMGO is ready for the tricks these gun grabbers have up their sleeves while they attempt to “find” money and alleviate the $783 million in general fund cuts.
The Facts
- Governor Polis has called a Special Session, convening the Colorado General Assembly in Denver in response to the passage of the Big Beautiful Bill.
- The State of Colorado has estimated a resulting $1.2 billion total deficit from this federal spending cut.
- Of the $1.2 billion, $783 million in cuts must be made from Colorado’s general fund in order to balance the budget.
- While Polis imposed a hiring freeze on certain state employees to save $3 million; the funds don’t close the gap.
The True Damage Has Yet To Set In Yet
Within the past two years, gun owners have already been targeted with:
- SB25‑003: The first step to BANNING semi-autos
- HB24‑1353: $400 dealer licenses with warrantless searches
- Prop KK: 6.5% excise tax on guns & ammo
These measures will raise millions, but they’re not enough for the appetite of Colorado’s state government to spend 43.9 billion in FY 2025-26.
If they stick to their pattern, they will continue to use gun owners as piggy banks to fund their failed government.
The Ground Rules
Colorado’s Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR) prohibits new taxes without voter approval. However, the left has become increasingly adept in turning taxes into fees, mandates, and “compliance costs” which can be increased by a vote of the legislature.
The Left’s Playbook
The radical left never lets a good crisis go to waste. And many of them see an opportunity in this special session to sneak in more gun control.
Don’t be surprised if you see usual suspects Tom Sullivan, the poster child for civilian disarmament, pushing for:
- Raises to the new semi-auto permit to purchase or training fees
- Raises to the fees required to obtain a permit to purchase
- Require mandatory insurance or storage inspections with fees for noncompliance.
- A hike of the 6.5% tax on guns and ammo
- Increasing “licensure/compliance fees” on local gun shops
Vigilance isn’t Paranoia
The pattern of “crisis resolution” has been well laid out in conquered states like California, Illinois…and now Colorado; government overreach and the erosion of our rights. We cannot be caught off guard just because this legislative session is “extraordinary”. Make sure to stay tuned and follow RMGO’s updates.
If they want a fight, we’re at the ready to give them one.
Ian Escalante is the Executive Director for Rocky Mountain Gun Owners, Colorado’s only no-compromise Second Amendment organization, where he fights against the Denver Communists’ attempts for full-scale civilian disarmament daily. Ian has lobbied against gun control in Texas, Florida, Ohio, Michigan, Missouri, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Louisiana, and now proudly fights in Colorado!