The Impact of the Colorado Domestic Partnership Act on Colorado's State Budget

Author(s): Badgett, M.V. Lee; Sears, Brad; Lee, Roger; MacCartney, Danielle | Abstract: This analysis estimates the impact of establishing domestic partnership for same-sex couples on Colorado's state budget. Using the best data available, we estimate that allowing same-sex couples to enter into domestic partnerships under the proposed "Colorado Domestic Partnership Benefits and Responsibilities Act" will result in a net gain of approximately $1.2 million each year for the State. This net increase will result from savings in expenditures on state means-tested public benefits programs and from an increase in sales tax revenue from registration celebrations.