(1) The general assembly hereby finds and declares that:
The program allowing taxpayers to make donations to charitable organizations through their Colorado state individual income tax return forms, commonly known as the "tax check-off program", has been a groundbreaking and profoundly important effort that has touched countless lives in myriad ways;
Colorado's tax check-off program, which was the first of its kind in the country, wasestablished in 1977 and has resulted in over thirty million dollars contributed to benefit the public through the work of Colorado nonprofit entities, inspiring similar programs in almost every state in the country;
In fiscal year 2017, Colorado taxpayers received over one billion dollars in incometax refunds. The average refund was approximately five hundred sixty dollars.
Between January 1, 2017, and November 1, 2017, Coloradans gave over one millionseven hundred thousand dollars to support programs through the voluntary contribution options on their individual income tax return forms;
Increasing the number of charitable organizations that taxpayers may designate ontheir tax forms can expand charitable giving throughout the state;
Charitable organizations help contribute to vibrant communities across the state;
Allowing Colorado taxpayers to designate a registered charitable organization of their choosing through a write-in line on the individual income tax return form will allow charities to raise additional funds earlier in the year, and will increase choices for taxpayers who wish to donate all or part of their tax refunds; and
A program allowing the designation of a registered charitable organization of a taxpayer's choosing through a write-in line on the individual income tax return form would also be the first of its kind in the country.
(2) It is the intent of the general assembly to provide Coloradans the opportunity to designate contributions to registered charitable organizations of their choosing by establishing the donate to a Colorado nonprofit fund, allowing taxpayers to make voluntary contributions from their tax refunds on their income tax return forms. The general assembly further intends that this process be efficient and convenient for taxpayers, nonprofits, and the department of revenue and therefore encourages the department and the secretary of state to use digital resources and formats that increase efficiency and reduce the risk of errors in implementing the fund.
Source: L. 2018: Entire part added, (SB 18-141), ch. 290, p. 1787, § 1, effective August 8.