Builds on previous outreach resulting in $3.5 million in claimed tax credits
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) announced today the continuation of its bilingual Get Ahead Colorado and Hacia Adelante Colorado statewide awareness campaigns, building on the success of last year’s statewide outreach. The announcement marks the beginning of tax season, with the campaigns encouraging all Coloradans to file their taxes to receive valuable tax credits such as the Child Tax Credit, Earned Income Tax Credit, and the Child and Dependent Tax Credit.
In 2022, tax credits like the Child Tax Credit and the Earned Income Tax Credit put an estimated $3.5 million dollars back in the pockets of low and moderate-income Coloradans. This success was possible through coordinated, collaborative partnerships between the Polis-Primavera administration, CDPHE, AmeriCorps, and ServeColorado; and with the help of hundreds of dedicated Colorado Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) volunteers.
“We are making sure Coloradans can keep more of their hard-earned money, and this tax season we encourage Coloradans to check out this great opportunity to get free and secure tax support,” said Governor Polis.
The campaign websites — GetAheadColorado.org and HaciaAdelanteColorado.org — direct people to three free, easy, and secure ways to file their taxes. Coloradans can file their tax return online, virtually connect with an IRS-certified tax preparer to file with their smartphone, or get in-person help at a Colorado VITA/TCE site location. Visitors can also find easy-to-understand information about federal and state tax credits that help low to moderate-income families make ends meet and additional resources to get free tax help.
The campaigns are funded by the Senate Bill 22-182 Economic Mobility Program and are led by CDPHE’s Economic Mobility Team, which aims to decrease child poverty and increase the economic well-being of all Coloradans.
Data back the effectiveness of tax credits as a tool for reducing poverty. Last year, Child Tax Credit payments helped reduce child poverty by as much as 40 percent.
Research confirms that the Earned Income Tax Credit is the most effective federal antipoverty program for working-age individuals and families, lifting millions out of poverty.
“Tax credits are shown to improve health outcomes and increase health equity, including reduced infant mortality and low birth weight, reduced child maltreatment, increased intergenerational health, and improved educational attain- ment and earnings.” said CDPHE Executive Director Jill Hunsaker Ryan.
Additionally, tax credits put more money back into Coloradans’ pockets which helps reduce the stress of rising expenses. The Polis-Primavera administration has significantly expanded the Colorado state Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit to address the rising costs of basic resources, like housing, fresh groceries, and quality child care.
For more information about this initiative and how to get involved, visit GetAheadColorado.org or HaciaAdelanteColorado.org.
Source: Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
