Coloradans for Financial Freedom

​​​Consumer Payment Rights and Transparency Bill:

Our proposed bill would make it unlawful to require the use of programmable money (i.e., stablecoins, crypto, or Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC)} for any transaction without offering a non-programmable alternative (credit or debit card, check or cash) free of charge. The potential for abuses by programmable money systems include: surveillance, tracking, invasions of privacy, unlimited control over financial transactions, coercion, and violations of civil liberties and civil rights.

 

Traditional digital systems (bank deposits, credit and debit cards) are automated through external computer programs (e.g., to make automatic bill payments or account transfers). They are not inherently programmable and are known as programmable payment systems, as opposed to programmable money. Programmable payment systems are far less susceptible to coercion than programmable money.

 

Our key concern for any implemented programmable money is the potential for broader introduction of programmability into general-use digital currency and universal application. The federal GENIUS Act which passed in July 2025 (see https://solari.com/the-genius-act-and-its-implications-for-financial-transaction-freedom/) opens the door to a potential universal programmable currency being introduced.

 

The ability to pay in cash is essential. Cash protects privacy and financial transaction freedom better than any other method of payment. The Colorado General Assembly passed a bill in 2021 which protected the public’s ability to use cash.

 

Our bill is part of an effort of groups around the country to pass similar legislation to put guardrails on programmable money in their states. The GENIUS Act does not prohibit this. We are hoping to get a bill introduced for the 2027 legislative session.

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