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STANDING AGAINST THE BIG BANKS AND WALL STREET — For more than 20 years, Consumer Program Director Ed Mierzwinski has helped us stand up against big banks and credit card companies.

An Independent Voice for Consumers

CoPIRG, Colorado Public Interest Research Group, is a consumer group that stands up to powerful interests whenever they threaten our health and safety, our financial security or our right to fully participate in our democratic society.

For decades, we’ve stood up for consumers, countering the influence of big banks, insurers, chemical manufacturers and other powerful special interests.

Our team of researchers uncovers the facts; our staff bring our findings to the public, through the media as well as one-on-one interactions; and our advocates bring the voice of the public to the halls of power on behalf of consumers.

When consumers are cheated or the voices of ordinary citizens are drowned out by special interest lobbyists, CoPIRG, the Colorado Public Interest Research Group, speaks up and takes action. We uncover threats to public health and wellbeing and fight to end them, using the time-tested tools of investigative research, media exposés, grassroots organizing, advocacy and litigation. CoPIRG’s mission is to deliver persistent, result-oriented public interest activism that protects consumers, encourages a fair, sustainable economy, and fosters responsive, democratic government.

OUR TOP PRIORITIES

Using the time-tested tools of investigative research, media exposés, grassroots organizing, advocacy and litigation, CoPIRG stands up to powerful interests and delivers concrete results. 


 

STANDING UP FOR THE PUBLIC ON HEALTH CARE

As our leaders put the health care reform law into practice, we’re working to promote a more competitive health insurance marketplace that lowers costs for consumers. >LEARN MORE
 

 

PUTTING PUBLIC HEALTH AHEAD OF BIG AG

One in three school-age kids are overweight, yet our government is wasting $16 billion each year on subsidies for sugar-laden, high-fat foods. CoPIRG is calling for an end to subsidies for junk. >LEARN MORE
 

 

CLOSE CORPORATE TAX LOOPHOLES

Corporate tax dodgers cost taxpayers $100 billion last year. That’s why CoPIRG is working to close the loopholes that allow ExxonMobil, Bank of America and others to avoid paying their taxes. >LEARN MORE
 


 

CoPIRG And The Federation Of State Public Interest Research Groups


CoPIRG is an independent, state-based, citizen-funded organization that advocates for the public interest and is a member of U.S. PIRG, the federation of state Public Interest Research Groups.

 

Since 1970, state PIRGs have delivered results-oriented citizen activism, stood up to powerful special interests, and used the time-tested tools of investigative research, media exposés, grassroots organizing, advocacy and litigation to win real results on issues that matter.

 

Across the country, state PIRGs employ close to 400 organizers, policy analysts, scientists and attorneys, and are active in 47 states, with a federal lobby office in Washington, D.C. On national issues that impact Coloradans, we also coordinate our efforts, pool resources, and share expertise so that we can have the biggest impact — here in Colorado and for the country at large.

CoPIRG Staff — A Partial List

CoPIRG is an advocate for the public interest. When consumers are cheated, or the voices of ordinary citizens are drowned out by special interest lobbyists, CoPIRG speaks up and takes action. We uncover threats to public health and well-being and fight for the public interest.

 

 

DANNY KATZ

State Director

(303) 573-7474

>CONTACT
>BIO

 

 

KEELIN KELLY

Health and Energy Associate

(303) 573-7474

>CONTACT
>BIO

 

 

JENN ENGSTROM

Energy Service Corps Director

(303) 573-7474

>CONTACT
>BIO
 

 

 

What's New

News Release | CoPIRG | Higher Ed

CoPIRG Calls for Congress to Stop Student Loan Rate Hike

Today a Colorado consumer advocacy group, CoPIRG, called on Colorado’s Congressional delegation to put aside politics and prevent interest rates on subsidized Stafford student loans from doubling on July 1 for nearly 7.5 million students. Without Congressional action, interest rates will increase from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent.

> Keep Reading
Report | CoPIRG | Tax

Picking Up the Tab

Some U.S.-based multinational firms or individuals avoid paying U.S. taxes by transferring their earnings to tax haven countries with minimal or no taxes. These tax haven users benefit from their access to America’s markets, workforce, infrastructure and security; but they pay little or nothing for it—violating the basic fairness of the tax system and forcing other taxpayers to pick up the tab.

> Keep Reading
News Release | CoPIRG | Transportation

Youth Drive Trend Away From Cars

A new report released today by the CoPIRG Foundation demonstrates that Coloradans and Americans have been driving less since the middle of last decade. The report, Transportation and the New Generation: Why Young People are Driving Less and What it Means for Transportation Policy, shows that young people in particular are decreasing the amount they drive and increasing their use of transportation alternatives.

> Keep Reading
Report | CoPIRG | Transportation

Transportation and the New Generation

From World War II until just a few years ago, the number of miles driven annually on America’s roads steadily increased. Then, at the turn of the century, something changed: Americans began driving less. By 2011, the average American was driving 6 percent fewer miles per year than in 2004. The trend away from driving has been led by young people.

> Keep Reading

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News Release | CoPIRG | Higher Ed

CoPIRG Calls for Congress to Stop Student Loan Rate Hike

Today a Colorado consumer advocacy group, CoPIRG, called on Colorado’s Congressional delegation to put aside politics and prevent interest rates on subsidized Stafford student loans from doubling on July 1 for nearly 7.5 million students. Without Congressional action, interest rates will increase from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent.

> Keep Reading
News Release | CoPIRG | Transportation

Youth Drive Trend Away From Cars

A new report released today by the CoPIRG Foundation demonstrates that Coloradans and Americans have been driving less since the middle of last decade. The report, Transportation and the New Generation: Why Young People are Driving Less and What it Means for Transportation Policy, shows that young people in particular are decreasing the amount they drive and increasing their use of transportation alternatives.

> Keep Reading
News Release | CoPIRG | Tax

Colorado Receives a “C-” in Annual Report on Transparency of Government Spending

Colorado received a “C-” when it comes to government spending transparency, according to Following the Money 2012: How the States Rank on Providing Online Access to Government Spending Data, the third annual report of its kind by the Colorado Public Interest Research Group (CoPIRG). 

> Keep Reading
Media Hit | Consumer Protection

Colorado lawmaker proposes BPA ban

There are big concerns about the chemical Biphenol-A, better known as BPA. Now some Colorado lawmakers want to rid our state of that chemical.

> Keep Reading

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Result | Financial Reform

President Appoints "America's Consumer Watchdog"

CoPIRG applauds President Obama for standing up for consumers by making a recess appointment of former Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray to head the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

> Keep Reading
Result | Health Care

656 Participate in Forums about CO Health Benefit Exchange

656 Coloradans participated in CoPIRG-oragnized forums designed to raise the voice of Coloradans around the design and implementation of the Colorado Health Benefit Exchange. 

> Keep Reading
Result | Consumer Protection

KIDS’ SCHOOL LUNCHES NOW SAFER

For years, America’s schoolchildren have been eating beef, chicken and other foods that would have been rejected as substandard even by fast food chains. Thanks in part to our advocacy, the U.S.D.A. has stopped buying such low-quality meat for school lunches.

> Keep Reading
Result | Consumer Protection

Keeping Families Safe From Dangerous Products

Companies that  violate product safety laws will face stiff fines and penalties,

> Keep Reading
Result | Transportation

Preparing The Way For 21st Century Transportation

In 2009, CoPIRG worked with a broad coalition to secure $16 billion of federal stimulus money for transit projects that will create jobs.

> Keep Reading

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Report | CoPIRG | Tax

Picking Up the Tab

Some U.S.-based multinational firms or individuals avoid paying U.S. taxes by transferring their earnings to tax haven countries with minimal or no taxes. These tax haven users benefit from their access to America’s markets, workforce, infrastructure and security; but they pay little or nothing for it—violating the basic fairness of the tax system and forcing other taxpayers to pick up the tab.

> Keep Reading
Report | CoPIRG | Transportation

Transportation and the New Generation

From World War II until just a few years ago, the number of miles driven annually on America’s roads steadily increased. Then, at the turn of the century, something changed: Americans began driving less. By 2011, the average American was driving 6 percent fewer miles per year than in 2004. The trend away from driving has been led by young people.

> Keep Reading
Report | CoPIRG | Tax

Following the Money 2012

Colorado received a “C-” when it comes to government spending transparency, according to Following the Money 2012: How the States Rank on Providing Online Access to Government Spending Data, the third annual report of its kind by the Colorado Public Interest Research Group (CoPIRG). 

> Keep Reading
Report | CoPIRG | Tax

Representation without Taxation

This report reveals the "Dirty Thirty" companies that collectively spent more on lobbying then they paid in federal taxes.

> Keep Reading
Report | CoPIRG Foundation | Consumer Protection

Trouble in Toyland: 26th Annual Survey of Toy Safety

The 2011 Trouble in Toyland report is our 26th annual survey of toy safety. In this report, we provide safety guidelines for consumers when purchasing toys for young children and provide examples of toys currently on store shelves that may pose potential safety hazards.

> Keep Reading

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Tools & Resources

Priority Action

Given public concern about obesity and federal spending, your support can help us finally beat Big Ag and end subsidies for junk food.

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consumer alerts

Join our network and stay up to date on our campaigns, get important consumer updates and take action on critical issues.

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Your donation supports CoPIRG's work to stand up for consumers on the issues that matter, especially when powerful interests are blocking progress.

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