Colorado Researchers Evaluate Guaranteed Income Program

In 2025, an academic research team evaluated the feasibility and costs of a statewide guaranteed income program for Colorado, modeling three monthly tiers: $25, $100 and $500. They estimate $100/month to all residents would cost over $7 billion annually—more than half the state general fund—while targeting 554,000 people below poverty with $500/month would cost about $3.3 billion, noting administrative and benefit-interaction trade-offs.
Key Points
- 1Estimate costs: $7+ billion yearly to give $100/month to all Coloradans.
- 2Warn administration challenges: managing enrollment and data for over five million residents.
- 3Highlight trade-offs: program could help SNAP recipients but risk disqualifying some beneficiaries.
Scoring Rationale
Provides rigorous, actionable statewide cost estimates and trade-offs, but limited by state-only scope and political feasibility constraints.
Sources
Public references used for this report.
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