(The Center Square) – A parents rights group is urging Coloradans to contact their governor about legislation the state House passed that would end credit card fees, which she and others say would hurt countless Colorado families who rely on credit card rewards.
Executive Director of American Parents Coalition Action Alleigh Marré told The Center Square that “the governor needs to know this bill would hurt Colorado families.”
“Coloradans can contact Gov. [Jared] Polis and urge him to oppose this legislation,” Marré said.
“Our leaders shouldn’t be chipping away at affordability by eliminating choice and opportunity for families,” Marré said. “Right now, the focus should be on making life more affordable, not more expensive.”
Marré said "families rely on and benefit from credit card rewards, especially travel and cash-back programs.”
“These rewards provide valuable resources that help families stretch their budgets and manage competing financial priorities,” Marré said.
“By earning benefits from everyday purchases, families can afford trips or make purchases that might otherwise be out of reach,” Marré said. “If legislation like SB 26-134 is signed into law, it will reduce these opportunities and make life more expensive for families.”
“American Parents Coalition Action continues to fight for parental rights across the country and support public policy that empowers parents to do what's best for their family through things like transparency and financial freedom,” Marré said.
The Center Square reported Tuesday that Colorado’s Senate Bill 26-134, which would prohibit the “1.5-3.5% credit card fee” businesses pay for customer credit card usage, is a step closer to becoming law after being passed by the state House of Representatives “on its second reading.”
“It will need a third reading and a final vote in the House before it heads to Gov. Jared Polis’ desk,” The Center Square reported. “The Legislature, which is scheduled to end its regular session on May 13, hasn't announced the date of the final vote.”
A recent poll of Colorado consumers showed that 4 out of 5 Coloradans want to keep credit card rewards especially for travel benefits “raising concerns about the potential impact of Senate Bill 26-134…on consumers, small businesses and the state’s tourism economy,” an Airlines for America press release said.
More than 80% of Coloradans “say earning bonus rewards – especially for travel – is an important benefit of using their credit cards,” while 78.5% say “they would likely switch cards if rewards were significantly reduced or eliminated,” the release said.
Additionally, 79.1% say they “have a credit card that allows them to earn rewards,” according to the release,” and “85 percent have redeemed awards within the past two years.”
Airlines for America President and CEO Chris Sununu said in the release: “There isn’t much that 80 percent of people can agree on these days, so it’s significant that most Coloradans agree when it comes to their credit card rewards.”
“That’s exactly why Gov. Polis should veto the terrible legislation making its way through the state legislature,” Sununu said.
“Nationwide, 31 million airline credit cardholders rely on co-branded cards for everyday purchases like groceries, gas and other essentials, earning rewards that make family travel and vacations more accessible,” Sununu said.
“Airline credit cards alone generated more than $1.2 billion of economic impact for Colorado in 2024, with more than 740,000 travelers choosing to visit the state with their hard-earned rewards,” Sununu said.
Similar to Marré, Sununu stressed the fact that “Colorado families and businesses depend on fast, secure and reliable payment systems that provide choice and convenience.”
“Preserving the current system will help ensure consumers, small businesses and the state’s tourism economy continue to thrive,” Sununu said.
The poll in Airlines for America’s release was conducted by AlphaROC, Inc., the release said.
