Jack Cutter 9/12/25 Jack Cutter 9/12/25

We Are Crossing Dangerous Lines

It has been a tumultuous and emotional week in America and Colorado. People everywhere are asking why these tragic events are happening in our society. We must turn down the angry and violent rhetoric. We must step back from the precipice of hatred and violence.

At the beginning of the week, there was the murder of an innocent woman in Charlotte, NC. Then on Wednesday, September 10th at about the same time of day, Charlie Kirk was assassinated at a college campus in Utah and there was a school shooting by another student in Evergreen, Colorado.

Thursday, September 11th, was the 24th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centers in NYC, the Pentagon, and the final plane that went down in Pennsylvania when passengers onboard fought back against the terrorists. It was also the 13th anniversary of the Benghazi attacks.

If you are grieving, you are not alone. Parents, families, friends, and communities are grieving and some are in shock. People are angry and frustrated. We must not give into anger and hatred. My heart breaks for the parents of the wounded kids. I have kids too. Every parent wants their kids to go to school to learn and have fun, and most importantly, to come home each evening.

My college-aged aide told me it feels like she has lost a friend, even though she never met Charlie Kirk. That's the impact he had. Charlie was a voice for an entire generation, especially young conservatives. Charlie energized young people to get involved and to stand for family, free speech, hard work, and honesty. I am praying for his wife Erika, and their two young children.

I served in Iraq and Afghanistan, and I have seen what happens when ideology turns to hatred and violence. The line between chaos and stability is thinner than we realize, and we must stop feeding the cycle. As a husband, father, combat veteran, and Colorado State Representative, I believe that we must pursue peaceful dialogue and listen to each other. We don’t have to agree on everything, but we must be willing to listen and walk away in peace. We must tone down the anger and rhetoric or the cycle of violence and heartbreak will continue.

My office is here to listen, serve, and keep you informed as we work to make Colorado stronger.

Jack Cutter 9/3/25 Jack Cutter 9/3/25

Looking Forward:

During the 2025 special session, I fought to lower taxes and fees on small businesses so they could continue to support their communities and keep their prices down. Sadly, Colorado continues a trend of increasing costs of living for families and increasing regulations on businesses. Recent legislation passed by the Majority, increases tax revenue by subverting the intent and will of the voters bypassing the Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR). Colorado was once a stronghold for free enterprise and innovation, but today, the prospect of living a stable, and sustainable life here feels more like a dream than a reality. I support and will defend TABOR.

Recent findings by the Colorado Chamber reveal that the State is now the 6th most regulated in the nation (See here). Colorado families are suffering under this yoke of high cost of living and regulations. In just 7 years, housing is half as affordable as it was 7 years ago. I will continue to fight the excessive regulations and expensive legislation as I champion common-sense solutions that will help everyday Coloradans feel like they’re not just treading water to survive.

Local Events:

The Parker Wine Walks are doing an incredible job of revitalizing our local economy by bringing the community together and driving foot traffic back to small businesses. These events create a welcoming atmosphere where residents and visitors can discover and support locally owned shops, restaurants, and services. I am proud to be the “Wine Walk Representative” from my bill HB24-1156 that brought this amazing tradition back to Parker and numerous other communities around Colorado.

Colorado Key Real Estate - A phenomenal team of experienced women dedicated to helping with all your real estate needs. They followed their dream for a woman owned business where they use their expertise to provide great customer service.

Framing Shop

- A continued craft of arts and design frames, they say “Bring your art, photos, jerseys, and other items to our team”. They host many events with local artists as well - check them out!

Nest on Mainstreet

- A locally owned gift and home goods shop featuring a thoughtfully curated selection of unique items, perfect for any occasion. They always have a warm smile and a friendly atmosphere.

Hatch Chiropractic

- This impressive medical team is focused on helping you live the life you deserve through “safe, natural, medication-free, and non-surgical treatment options that allow your body to heal itself.”

Colorado Accounting Solutions

- Offering personalized accounting and financial

services tailored to meet your individual needs with professionalism and care.

Jack Cutter 8/28/25 Jack Cutter 8/28/25

Special Session Wrap Up:

After six days at the Capitol for the Special Session, debt has increased, taxes have increased, regulations have increased, and consumers are worse off than before the Special Session.

The Democrats are moving money around like a shell game attempting to bypass TABOR. It is likely this will result in another lawsuit like the one against HB25-1296. The Common Sense Institute noted how the bills passed from this special session will cause job losses, lower GDP growth, and lower personal income at staggering rates. See the data from their institute here:

HB25B-1003 will directly spike insurance premiums and healthcare costs and completely violates TABOR. HB25B-1006 borrows $100 million with a 20-year repayment, causing a $75 million decrease in available TABOR return funds. shifting today’s budget issues onto future generations. These five bills result in increased taxes of a total of $250 million. This methodology is not how we solve a budget crisis. It is in fact the reason we are in a budget crisis today!

The opening remarks by the Speaker and every subsequent Democrat sponsor, that the fiscal crisis was caused by the Republicans, is deeply disturbing and blatantly false. The Democrats have controlled every lever of power in the Colorado State government for the past seven years. The budget and government growth have nearly doubled in that time. Colorado went from being one of the most business-friendly states, low cost of living, and low crime; to where now Colorado is the 6th most regulated state in the country, high cost of living, and high crime due to the Democrats soft on crime policies.

Prior to and during the Special Session, the Democrats did not reach out to Republicans or ask us for any input. They killed every Republican sponsored bill in committee. I sponsored HB25B-1021, to help small business and the restaurant industry with an allowance for the sales tax vendor fee, but the Democrats killed it in committee. In addition, the Democrats passed HB25B-1005 that eliminated the state sales tax vendor fee that went to help small businesses. Republicans had over a billion dollars in proposed cuts that were never considered.

People can expect higher prices at restaurants and small businesses, and it is probable that some small businesses and restaurants will be forced to close their doors and lay off their employees. The Democrats simply told us they were the Majority Party, and they were in charge (See here). The outcomes were predetermined before we ever stepped foot into the Capitol.

Between the dual use of Rules 14 and 16, the Democrats limited and shut down debate. This prevented Republicans from representing our constituents. This eliminated balanced governance and transparency, which raises serious concerns about the current legislative process at the Capitol. Each time I challenged the process using the House Rule Book, I was told it was the prerogative of the Committee Chair and the Speaker to decide. The saying that absolute power corrupts absolutely is very fitting for this Special Session. Ultimately, it is the citizens of Colorado who are hurt the most when power, control, and arrogance prevent proper representation. (Watch House GOP’s response here)

My office is here to listen, serve, and keep you informed as we work to make Colorado stronger.

Jack Cutter 8/23/25 Jack Cutter 8/23/25

Special Session Update:

Day 1, 8/21/25

The first day of the special session was overshadowed by political games by the Democrat majority that blocked meaningful dialogue and bipartisan solutions. Republicans were not included in any legislative discussions or planning leading up to the special session.

Back in the 2025 regular session, Republicans had proposed 28 amendments to the budget bill that would have reduced spending by $964,082,168.00 - all of which were killed by Democrats. The process continues in this special session. Click here to watch my speech on this issue:

I consulted with the Colorado Restaurant Association to see what kind of tax relief was available. My bill, HB25B-1021 would have provided some vendor fee relief and stability for small family restaurant businesses, but it was killed in committee along with every other Republican legislation. The push for unrestricted use of taxpayer dollars, paired with misleading claims, is deeply troubling - especially as Colorado families and small businesses suffer the most.

Just on Day 1, Democrats killed bills that would have:

Returned $4M in misused taxpayer dollars to the general fund
Enforced real TABOR accountability
Prioritized Medicaid for children, seniors, and people with disabilities.
Expanded rural Colorado to have more of a voice

Day 2, 8/22/25

Day two was filled with continued efforts to shift blame to the federal government, spewing blatant lies despite clear facts. The Joint Budget Committee was notified on June 18th of a $700 million deficit. HR001, was signed July 4th. Every committee hearing started with the Democrats blaming the Republicans for the budget crisis. The malfeasance and hypocrisy of the Democrats is glaring when the simple fact is the Democrats have been in complete control of the State for seven years. They have doubled the size of the government and spending.

Small businesses are being crushed under the weight of excessive regulations and fees. Colorado’s road infrastructure is rated as one of the worst in the country. We are one of the most regulated states, highest cost of living, public safety problems, and constant attacks on parental rights. This isn’t just unfair - it’s unsustainable. It is no surprise that businesses are leaving Colorado, because they are faced with choosing living here or surviving. That is not the role of government. Watch my response here:

My office is here to listen, serve, and keep you informed as we work to make Colorado stronger.

Jack Cutter 8/19/25 Jack Cutter 8/19/25

Special Session:

Since Democrats took full control of the State Legislature in 2018, the state budget has exploded. We are now in a financial mess stemming from years of reckless and unsustainable spending at the state level.

For seven years, Colorado Republicans have warned against treating taxpayer dollars like endless overtime pay. Now, as the bill comes due, the Governor and State Democrat leaders are avoiding responsibility and blaming others for their fiscal malfeasance.

This is not a revenue issue, it is a spending issue. Until Colorado reins in its spending habits, no amount of revenue will ever be enough. We must implement fiscal accountability just like every family and business owner. Democrats should not try to correct their irresponsible spending habits on the backs of hard-working Colorado families and small businesses.

The Data:

In just five years, CO State budget grew from $32 billion to $46 billion (a 50% increase), creating a $1.2 Billion deficit.
CO State population has grown less than 5% during this time, however inflation is up 26%.
From 2010 through 2025, total General Fund spending is up 134%.
Should CO’s rates stay consistent - Common Sense Institute projects a $2.8 billion budget hole for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. If CO’s rates take a downward turn, the predicted hole is $3.9 billion.

Rep. Woog, Senator Kirkmeyer, and I are running a bill this Special Session to give restaurants a boost by doubling the monthly vendor fee retention cap from $1,000 to $2,000, and increasing the rate to 6%. This will ensure they keep more of what they earn - without raising taxes. Check it out here:

My office is here to listen, serve, and keep you informed as we work to make Colorado stronger.

Local HD44 Events:

AFRIK Impact - This week, I had the privilege of attending the 10th Annual AFRIK Impact Gala, hosted by the African Leadership Group (ALG), a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the African immigrant community. The event highlighted the inspiring journey of ALG Founder and CEO, Papa Dia, who immigrated to the United States from Senegal in 1998 with the goal of supporting his family back home. Starting with a job at a bookstore, he developed his English reading and literacy skills. He went on to spend 18 years in banking, gaining knowledge in business finance and resources.

Papa Dia was motivated to help those with similar stories and thus was the inspiration as he founded ALG to promote the professional and social integration of African immigrants. His story is a testament to the American dream and the values of hard work, perseverance, and service to others.

Tour of Craig Hospital - I was humbled to tour Craig Hospital with Dr. Jandel Allen-Davis. The treatments they provide for spinal cord and brain injury rehabilitation is incredible. It was amazing to see the custom engineering of everything imaginable to help patients adapt to living and improving their lives. There is a garden outside the hospital to help patients learn how to navigate in the community and help them transition to being self reliant. They are nationally recognized as a leader in their field. The dedication of the staff to their patients is truly inspiring. Visit their website out here:

SB25-024, added 15 Judges in Colorado. I was honored to attend the swearing-in of Judge Gullion in Douglas County in one of the new positions. Representative Michael Carter and I had a great discussion with Chief Justice Ryan Stuart after the ceremony regarding legal and social issues currently facing Colorado. Congratulations to Judge Gullion and her family on this achievement and her commitment to upholding the law in Colorado.

Jack Cutter 8/8/25 Jack Cutter 8/8/25

Gov Polis Calls for a Special Session:

Governor Polis called a special session to start on August 21st. Since Covid, the Colorado State government has grown extensively on an influx of federal taxpayer dollars. An analogy is if a family plans their standard of living on overtime pay and the overtime stops; the family has a financial problem. If a business expands faster than their revenue stream, they will go bankrupt. The same thing has happened to the State Government budget. They spent their overtime pay and now the bill is due.

Republican House Leadership’s Response to this Move: Political Theater.

I emphasized that the Governor’s priorities are out of step with everyday Coloradans: “Families and small businesses across Colorado are being crushed under the weight of government overreach, rising costs, and reckless spending”. “Instead of working with us to rein in waste and protect the most vulnerable, the Governor is using this special session to defend a broken system. House Republicans are committed to responsible budgeting that puts Colorado families first.”

Read Republican House Leadership’s response here:

My office is here to listen, serve, and keep you informed as we work to make Colorado stronger.

Local HD44 Events:

Aviation Growth in Parker:

The Colorado Aviation Business Association (CABA) supports and promotes Business and General Aviation in Colorado. It was an honor to attend CABA’s beautiful reception on June 4th with @DustyAJohnso nCO, that showcased their growth and jobs while increasing commerce at Centennial Airport. They had a vintage airplane and numerous support businesses that employ great paying positions.

Northrop Grumman Opening:

Northrop Grumman held an amazing ribbon cutting ceremony on June 23rd for their expanded facility next to Parker. I was proud to stand with @LisafrizellSD2 and so many dedicated defense employees for our National Anthem. Getting a tour of their complex and hearing about the numerous projects they are working on to help secure our national defense and bring solutions to everyday situations in the space community was amazing. Northrop Grumman is also bringing several jobs and support businesses to our community. Thank you for your dedication.

Check out their press release here, & The Gazette article here.

Valley Hope Tour:

The Valley Hope tour on June 25th was incredible. It is inspiring to see how counselors work with patients to help them with rehabilitation from drugs and alcohol. Their work is life changing and brings new hope to the patients and their families.

Jack Cutter 8/4/25 Jack Cutter 8/4/25

August Update:

Policy & Education

August has arrived and the start of school is only weeks away. Parents and kids are looking at their work schedules and classes. I am extremely proud of the bi-partisan bill HB25-1192, Financial Literacy. This was a huge request from students, parents, and businesses that kids learn the practicalities of financial literacy. Fall sports will start and summer vacations will end for this season. Families and businesses will plan their budgets as they adjust for the seasonal shift in workforce as kids return to school.

Legislature & The Budget Crisis

Meanwhile, at the Colorado State Capitol, there is gnashing of teeth as the overspending and failure to properly budget is causing another fiscal crisis. (Click here for research & data regarding the State Budget by Common Sense Institute). Bottom line is the government has approximately a $1.2 billion dollar shortfall and the Governor is once again considering calling another special session. Sadly, it is the everyday citizen and taxpayer that is suffering from the gross negligence and mismanagement of the Colorado State budget and services.

Local HD44 Update

In and around Parker this summer we had numerous events. We started out with the first full year of the Parker Wine Walks since I introduced HB24-1156, Wine Walks are coming back! — Anthony Hartsook to reinstate the Wine Walks for the community and small businesses. We also had two major ribbon cutting ceremonies in Parker, Northrup Grumann, and the new Kaiser Permanente clinic.

Getting to connect with all of you is the best part of the job. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, your stories, and your experiences with me. I look forward to the fall, and ways we can build a stronger Colorado for all of us.

My office is here to listen, serve, and keep you informed as we work to make Colorado stronger.

The Parker Wine Walk! This is one of my favorite local traditions. I’m proud to be the “Wine Walk Representative” after introducing HB24-1156. This is a fantastic monthly event that supports small businesses.
During July’s Wine Walk we were able to visit Colorado Key Real Estate, Mainstreet Chiropractic, Moving Memories Media, Colorado Accounting Solutions, Poor Richards Book Shoppe, and Nest Shop.

The opening of the new Kaiser Permanente clinic on July 8th. This new state-of-the-art facility brings expanded healthcare coverage and treatment as our community continues to grow.
Click here to watch a video of the ceremony and a tour of the facility.

Another facility in Parker that is helping kids and families with early intervention for autism is Behavioral Innovations. I had a tour of the facility on July 15th. Watching professional therapists work with kids was amazing. They truly have a gift from God to help these kids and families.
Check out their we

Jack Cutter 5/25/25 Jack Cutter 5/25/25

Post Session Update:

Government Keeps Growing at the Expense of Families

During the 2025 session, numerous pieces of legislation attacked the Colorado Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR). Working families are tightening their budgets, but Colorado’s state budget has grown by 46.3%—from approximately $30 billion in FY 2019 to more than $44 billion today. Families across the district are facing higher costs for gas, groceries, healthcare, and college. The government has a spending and priority problem, not a revenue problem. The government should be on a diet.

One major example is the push for a Front Range passenger rail system. We need better roads, not more wasteful government spending on commuter rail. This project would cost billions in taxpayer dollars and deliver no benefit to the average commuter. I’ve made it clear:

“Colorado does not need—and cannot afford—a Front Range passenger rail system. What we truly need is improved road infrastructure that helps our families get to work and school more efficiently.”

Healthcare

This session, I worked hard to stand against efforts that would have expanded government control over healthcare by decreasing options for patients and increasing burdens on providers. I helped defeat HB24-1174 and HB24-1297, both of which posed serious concerns for rural access and affordability. I also strongly opposed HB24-1075, which will begin the process of creating a single-payer system in Colorado. I will continue working to support sustainable, common-sense healthcare that meets the real needs of Colorado families

Education

I introduced HB25-1192, Financial Literacy Graduation Requirement because I believe every child in Colorado deserves the tools to build a secure and successful future to achieve the American Dream. Way too many students graduate without adequate knowledge on how to manage a budget, avoid debt, or plan for their goals. Financial literacy is empowerment! It’s freedom! And with this bill, we’re giving Colorado kids the foundation to thrive in school and in life.

My office is here to listen, serve, and keep you informed as we work to make Colorado stronger.

Wishing that everyone had a joyful Cinco de Mayo! We must continue to celebrate Mexican heritage, history, and the enduring spirit of freedom and pride in our communities.

A group of us decided to ride into the Capitol the last week of the session, and enjoy some freedom before we started debating legislation. I hope everyone is enjoying the beautiful weather.

On the last morning of session, I joined my Republican colleagues in reading a formal protest to ensure what happened last night just before midnight never happens again. We stood up not just for the Representative, but for every future member, to defend fairness, transparency, and the dignity of the legislative process.

Jack Cutter 4/23/25 Jack Cutter 4/23/25

Legislative Budget Update:

Upholding TABOR & Transparency

At the heart of Colorado's tax system is the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR)—a critical safeguard ensuring that voters have the final say over tax increases. Yet, this session we have seen multiple attempts to bypass TABOR. HB25-1296 raises revenue without the vote of the people, expands sales tax, targets specific industries like oil, gas, and aviation, and hurts small businesses by removing the business personal property tax. The key issue with these factors is that they are done without the consent of the people. TABOR is under attack, and YOU the taxpayer are going to be stuck with the tax increase without voting for it.

In the 2024 legislative session, over 100 bills were passed that redirected TABOR funds, resulting in a $2.8 billion reduction, with a projected $6 billion TABOR fund reduction in the next three years.

Increased Tax Burden: Bills like HB24-1084 appropriated $51,483 from the General Fund for implementing the increased Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), which was raised from 25% to 50% for the 2023 tax year. Without TABOR’s protection, the state income tax would increase by 75%, from 4.4% to 7.68%—a significant burden on Colorado residents.
Increasing Fees: Coloradans are seeing a steady increase in fees paid to over 2 dozen state enterprises across a range of sectors.
Click HERE for TABOR link on X

Defending Second Amendment Rights

Since 2013, there have been over 22 pieces of legislation that have violated our Second Amendment rights. This ongoing slate of anti-gun legislation targets law-abiding gun owners while failing to address Colorado's rising crime rates, which have surged by 10% in violent crime in recent years. This legislation continues despite direct conflicts with various Supreme Court Cases. A few examples include:

Proposition KK (2025): Introduced a 6.5% excise tax on firearms, firearm precursor parts, and ammunition.
SB23-169: Raises the legal purchase age to 21, infringing upon the rights of responsible young adults.
HB24-1349: Proposes an 11% excise tax on firearms and ammunition, further burdening gun owners.
HB24-1353
SB25-003 could cause $27 to $32 million in federal funding for conservation and habitat preservation to be lost in order to fund these anti-gun measures.

Last year, Colorado passed HB24-1353, establishing a state-level bureau mirroring the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). This legislation created a 30-person armed regulatory force under the Department of Revenue to enforce firearm laws and conduct investigations usually reserved for trained law enforcement. This year alone, HB24-1353, will cost the Colorado taxpayer $3,817,385. This duplicates the function of the federal ATF. It results in increasing costs to consumers, law abiding citizens, and businesses. It does not reduce crime and they are not going after the real criminals.

Preserving Parental Rights

Parents, not bureaucrats, should guide the upbringing, education, and healthcare of their children. But several bills this session seek to marginalize parental authority by expanding state involvement in curriculum decisions, counseling access, and healthcare consent. While we oppose individual bills like those that remove parental notification or limit transparency in education, the larger issue is clear: Colorado is becoming increasingly hostile to family-centered governance. We are currently compiling a full list of bills affecting parental rights, - like HB25-1312: This bill would add definitions of "deadnaming" and "misgendering" to acts of coercive control that judges may consider in custody decisions. HB24-1350 limits how much time a parent can spend with a child. This bill gives the decision to the court, rather than the family. Bills like these are pushed through with very little evidence on how they will affect families or long term behavior. Click HERE for the link to the FOX News Segment on HB25-1312.

Roads, Water, and Infrastructure—Not Lawsuits

Colorado ranks among the worst states for road conditions, yet instead of investing in infrastructure, Democrats are pushing bills to funnel taxpayer dollars into politically motivated lawsuits. HB25-1321, diverts $4 million from infrastructure to pay outside lawyers for lawsuits targeting the Trump administration. This is not just a misuse of funds, it reflects a pattern of prioritizing political vendettas over basic services like roads, water systems, and rural broadband. Colorado’s roads rank 43rd for overall highway performance and 45th for urban interstates and Colorado is the 6th most regulated state in the Nation. We deserve leadership focused on fixing what’s broken, not making headlines.

Through this dangerous legislature, we have requested intercession from the US Attorney General because the Constitutional Rights of our constituents are being trampled. This use of legislation is negligence! Colorado communities are in major need right now. Families are struggling, and I will not sit back and allow our duty to be ignored. My team and I are dedicated to opposing unconstitutional legislation, advocating for effective public safety, and ensuring fiscal responsibility.

My office is here to listen, serve, and keep you informed as we work to make Colorado stronger.