Stop Unfair Credit Card Swipe Fees from Driving Up Colorado’s Living Costs.
Support The Colorado Swipe Fee Fairness and Consumer Safeguards Act
(HB 25-1282)
Colorado needs relief from excessive swipe fees now! Learn how to engage in this effort below.
Take Action Now: Ask Your Legislator To Support HB25-1282
Join the movement and demand relief from these predatory credit card swipe fees. Use the tool below to send a custom message directly to your state legislators—tell them that House Bill 1282 will reduce the financial pressures bearing down on Colorado’s consumers and small businesses.
What We Stand For
Every time you swipe your card, fees are added that inflate prices and hurt everyone—from your local business to your family’s budget. U.S. credit and debit card processing fees average over 2% per transaction and can hit as high as 4%, meaning for every $100 you spend, an extra $2 to $4 is siphoned off. And these fees aren’t fixed—they vary by card and consumer, leaving merchants in the dark until the swipe, so they can’t accurately predict or control their costs.
Even more alarming, these fees have more than doubled over the past decade despite technology that should have driven processing costs down. In fact, the U.S. now has some of the highest card fees in the world—seven times the maximum rates seen in Europe. That’s money that could be reinvested in local businesses, better wages, and community growth, but instead, it’s funneled into the coffers of a few giant banks and card networks.
One major reason fees remain so high is that the payments market is a duopoly dominated by Visa and Mastercard. Their lack of competitive pricing keeps fees artificially inflated, preventing market forces from driving them down.
Moreover, the rules of the card industry force businesses to charge everyone the same price, meaning even if you pay cash, you don’t see the benefit of avoiding these hidden charges. This broken system not only drives up everyday costs but also stifles fair competition and hurts our local economy.
It’s time for change. Demand transparency, accountability, and fairness in how our money is handled. Contact your state legislators today and demand an end to these unfair, hidden card fees. Our wallets, our businesses, and our communities deserve better.
How HB 25-1282 Restores Sanity to The Marketplace:
Eliminate Swipe Fees on Tips:
Fees should not be charged against money designated for tips. Big banks should not be taking a cut of workers' tips.
Eliminate Swipe Fees on Taxes:
Banks should not be unfairly profiting from Main Street merchants collecting and remitting taxes to the state.
Cap Swipe Fees on Charitable Giving:
Limits interchange fees on charitable contributions to 0.2% for debit cards and 0.3% for credit cards.
Empowers Small Merchants:
With the duopoly of Visa and Mastercard, there is no competitive pressure on fees rates. Short of government action, there is no relief from the surging costs of swipe fees.
Why This Issue Matters:
Every Dollar Counts
Hidden fees add an extra 2–4% to every bill, forcing Coloradans to pay more and reducing the money available for everyday needs.
Support Local Businesses
These fees siphon crucial funds from small businesses that could otherwise invest in better wages, hiring, and community growth.
Market Monopolization
With Visa and Mastercard dominating the payments market, there’s no competitive pressure to lower fees—leaving merchants and consumers to bear the brunt of inflated costs.
Unreasonable Burden
The industry’s rigid rules mean even cash-paying customers don’t escape the added cost, making it a universal hit on our local economy.
Our Wallets, Our Businesses, and Our Communities Deserve Better.
Don’t wait—make your voice heard. Fill out the form below and send your message to your state legislators. Together, we can get relief from these unfair fees and keep Colorado’s cash local!