The Colorado legislature has recently been very active. Of course, this year has seen the implementation of additional gun laws, such as the prohibition on ‘ghost guns’.
We’ve also seen the state government prohibit the use of gas-powered lawn equipment beginning in the summer of 2025. Finally, there is a proposal to fully ban adult drivers from using telephones without a Bluetooth device.
However, another proposal has been introduced in the Colorado House of Representatives, this time targeting the misleading practice of hidden fees.
Proposed House Bill 1151 seeks to require companies to disclose hidden or junk fees.
Representative Naquetta Ricks (D-Aurora) has introduced a bill that would require Colorado companies to be totally open about additional expenses.
According to 9NEWS, Ricks was recently charged an additional $200 at a hotel for what the operator dubbed a resort fee’.
A resort fee is a prime example of a hidden fee. The cost is intended to cover perks that are generally advertised as free, such as internet, gym, and pool access. However, in some places, hotels can promote their room rates without incurring the resort fee.
According to Colorado Politics, corporations must disclose any additional fees for concert tickets, electricity bills, and the aforementioned hotel industries.
However, restaurants, airlines, and car dealerships would be unaffected.
What Was the Reception for the Bill in the Colorado House of Representatives?
The bill was recently approved by the House Business Affairs and Labor Committee, with a 7-3 majority.
Maggie Gomez, a representative of the Wisconsin charity State Innovation Exchange, supported the bill during her statement before the committee. She mentioned a comparable California statute that eliminated all hidden costs as a model for success.
Ruthie Barko of Technet, a group of technology CEOs and executives, provided more testimony. She suggested that legislation like this should only be passed at the federal level.
Bill 1151 has been passed by the House Business Affairs and Labor Committee and will be debated on the House Floor shortly.