Colorado ends sales tax on essential feminine hygiene products and diapers 

By

Boram Kim

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A bipartisan bill signed into law this past June is set to take effect on Wednesday, ending the state sales tax on feminine hygiene products and diapers. Governor Jared Polis highlighted the legislation as one of the 100 ways his administration and the legislature are saving people money. 

 

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The American Medical Association (AMA) has encouraged the Internal Revenue Service to classify feminine hygiene products as medical necessities because if an individual doesn’t change a pad or tampon frequently, it can put a person at risk for health complications such as Toxic Shock Syndrome. The AMA estimates the average lifetime cost for menstrual products is around $2,000.

“Every Coloradan deserves to live with dignity, but for far too many, their inability to pay for basic human needs like period products and diapers means they can’t,” said Sen. Faith Winter (D-Westminster), one of the bill’s sponsors. “I’m proud to have helped pass this law that removed the tax on dignity while ensuring that Coloradans can save money on essential items. This commonsense step will help countless families afford these products so they can maintain their own health and care for their loved ones.”

New laws to cut taxes for child care centers, early childhood educators, and seniors also will kick in this week as part of the administration’s efforts to help Coloradans save money. Community leaders are praising the new law’s benefits for women and families in need. 

“Every Coloradan deserves to live with dignity. For far too many essential products like diapers, incontinence products, and period products are out of reach,” said Lauren Y. Casteel, President and CEO of the Women’s Foundation of Colorado. “The passage of HB22-1055 which exempts sales tax for these essential products will allow for Colorado women and their families to go to work, child care, and school while saving their family money.”