Colorado legislators are trying to get a measure on the November ballot that would charge a 25-cent tax when you use plastic shopping bags at grocery stores.
Sponsored by State Rep. Paul Rosenthal and State Sen. Lois Court, the bill would impose a plastic shopping bag tax of 25 cents per store transaction (not per plastic bag used). Funds from the tax would then go toward the improvement, preservation, and expansion of affordable housing in Colorado, according to the House Bill (HB18-1054). Use of plastic shopping bags has long been the subject of nationwide debate. Concerns that plastic bags harm the environment in multiple ways are well-documented, leading to California and Hawaii banning their use completely.
Some Colorado municipalities have also banned plastic bags, like Vail and Telluride, while others charge per bag use. Boulder, Avon, and Breckenridge charge 10 cents per plastic bag, while Aspen charges 20 cents per bag.
If the bill gets to the ballot, Colorado voters would get to weigh in on November 6, 2018. Then, if passed, the tax would go into effect statewide, on January 1, 2019.
I have to admit, I own a couple reusable grocery bags, but I always forget to bring them to the grocery store with me. And with the size of my grocery trips, I would need to invest in multiple bags in order to carry all my family's groceries and still avoid the tax! Not a big deal, but it would definitely be a change to my routine.
What do you think? Would you support a measure like this? Are you already in the habit of using reusable shopping bags? We'd love to hear your opinion in the comments below!
