Colorado’s Graduated Income Tax (Amendment 87) and the Rise of Earned Wage Access Lending

Host Carmen continues her Youth Empowerment Radio conversation with Joshua Mantell of the Bell Policy Center about Colorado’s high cost of living and wealth inequality, focusing on Amendment 87, a proposed graduated income tax on the November ballot. Mantell explains Colorado’s Taxpayer Bill of Rights and constitutionally mandated flat income tax, arguing the broader tax code is regressive and leaves the state underfunded in K–12 education, healthcare, and childcare. The proposal would cut taxes for incomes under $500,000 (about 97% of residents), raise marginal rates above that threshold, and generate about $2 billion dedicated to those services. They also discuss earned wage access “paycheck early” products that обход Colorado’s 36% APR payday-loan cap, including app-based versions with fees and tips; Mantell notes Attorney General Weiser sued Earnin. Mantell cites civic engagement and sharing information locally as sources of hope and action.

00:00 Welcome Back and Preview
01:07 Graduated Income Tax Explained
02:26 Why Colorado Taxes Feel Unfair
04:49 Funding Schools Health and Childcare
06:17 How Amendment 87 Works
12:44 Flat Tax Myths Debunked
17:40 Earned Wage Access Loans
21:31 Fintech Loopholes and Regulation
28:16 Finding Hope and Taking Action
32:17 Stay Connected and Book Picks
35:14 Final Thanks and Wrap Up

Why Colorado’s Cost of Living Feels Unaffordable: Housing, Wages, and Economic Mobility

The host interviews Joshua Mantell, Director of Government Affairs at the Bell Policy Center, about economic mobility and Colorado’s rising cost of living. Mantell explains Bell is a nonprofit, nonpartisan statewide research and advocacy organization focused on improving economic mobility for all Coloradans through policy work at the Capitol and ballot guidance, using public data and community partner input to craft actionable solutions. He describes Bell’s focus areas including housing, childcare and care work, consumer protection and lending access, and the challenges of Colorado’s fast-aging population within a constrained budget. On cost of living, he says housing is the main driver, citing inadequate housing supply, rising interest rates, and corporate/private equity ownership contributing to poor-quality rentals. He also highlights widening income inequality, stagnating wages for lower earners, and underinvestment in public systems, leaving people paying more out of pocket despite median income figures that don’t reflect local realities.

00:00 Why Money Feels Tight
03:16 Meet Bell Policy Center
04:39 Defining Economic Mobility
06:36 Key Policy Focus Areas
09:37 How Their Research Works
13:35 When Data Conflicts
18:14 Rural vs Urban Reality
21:00 Colorado Cost of Living
23:26 Housing Supply and Rates
27:24 Inequality and Wealth Building
31:42 Underinvestment and What Next

Youth Empowerment Radio: Social Impacts of Psychosis, Screening, and Reducing Stigma

In a Youth Awareness Week episode of Youth Empowerment Radio, host Katie (a summer associate with Youth MOVE Colorado) interviews Dr. Schiffman of UC Irvine’s PREVENT Lab about the social impacts of psychosis, stigma, and early intervention. They discuss Youth MOVE Colorado’s mission and Colorado’s mental health challenges, highlight Mental Health America and its screening tools (including the PQ-B, Prodromal Questionnaire Brief) for assessing experiences on the psychosis continuum, and note that distress and impairment help distinguish symptoms from common experiences. Dr. Schiffman mentions Colorado’s INVEST program at CU Anschutz led by Michelle West, which provides coaching for students with mental health concerns. They emphasize how stigma can lead to secrecy, withdrawal, shame, and reduced help-seeking, and suggest addressing myths, using respectful language, asking rather than assuming, and fostering curiosity. The conversation closes by stressing social connection, hope, and resources such as school counseling centers and 988.

00:00 Welcome And Introductions

01:00 Katie And Dr Schiffman Reconnect

02:50 Youth MOVE Colorado Context

04:51 Mental Health America Screening Tools

06:28 PQ B And Psychosis Continuum

08:05 Colorado Programs And Invest

09:36 When To Seek Help Online Symptoms

13:24 Neurodiversity And Stigma Cycle

18:42 World Is Mad Lyric Reflection

20:04 Artistic Expression And Meaning

20:49 Music and Vulnerability

21:19 Stigma Blocks Care

22:16 Psychosis and Extra Stigma

23:56 Shame Isolation and Growth

25:47 Self Compassion and Grace

27:54 Myths Language and Education

31:08 Ask Dont Assume

32:41 Curiosity Over Anger

34:43 Connection and Hope

38:03 Youre Not Alone Resources

39:52 Closing Thanks and Goodbye