Colorado and Taiwan Sister-state Relations

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Judy Amabile and 67 co-sponsors

Colorado reaffirms its sister-state relationship with Taiwan and signals support for Taiwan’s sovereignty, democracy, and expanded trade and academic ties.

Signed by the President of the Senate

Purpose

Senate Joint Resolution 25‑016 is a formal, non‑binding statement by the Colorado General Assembly reaffirming and strengthening the sister‑state relationship between Colorado and Taiwan. It expresses Colorado’s political and economic support for Taiwan’s sovereignty, democratic governance, expanded trade and academic ties with Colorado, and Taiwan’s meaningful participation in key international organizations.

Key provisions

Reaffirms Colorado’s sister‑state relationship with Taiwan (established in 1983) and celebrates its 42nd anniversary.

Expressly affirms support for:

Taiwan’s sovereignty and democracy.
Strengthening Colorado–Taiwan trade relations and academic exchanges.
Signing an Agreement on Avoidance of Double Taxation between the United States and Taiwan to promote bilateral investment.
Taiwan’s inclusion in international organizations important to global health, safety, and climate (specifically citing the UN, WHO, UNFCCC, INTERPOL, ICAO, and the U.S.‑launched Indo‑Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity).

Notes concerns about pressure from the People’s Republic of China that has excluded Taiwan from full participation in some international bodies and which threatens Taiwan’s sovereignty.

Directs that a copy of the resolution be sent to Director General Bill Huang of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Denver.

Background and rationale

Colorado and Taiwan have maintained active economic ties; the resolution cites Taiwan’s consistent ranking among Colorado’s top ten trading partners for both exports and imports.

It references a November 2024 trade and investment mission to Taiwan led by Colorado’s lieutenant governor and state economic/industry representatives that explored opportunities in high‑tech sectors including aerospace, agriculture, and semiconductors.

The resolution frames expanded trade and an avoidance‑of‑double‑taxation agreement as ways to strengthen bilateral investment flows.

Who is affected

The resolution is symbolic and advisory: it does not create or modify state law or allocate funds.

It signals support to state and private-sector economic actors (exporters, academic institutions, industry clusters in aerospace, agriculture, semiconductors and other high‑tech fields) and to Taiwanese partners and representatives.

It is directed externally to Taiwan’s Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Denver as an official communication of Colorado’s position.

Procedural / timeline notes

Introduced in the Senate: March 27, 2025.

Senate third reading passed (no amendments): April 1, 2025.

House third reading passed (no amendments): April 15, 2025.

Signed by the President of the Senate: April 16, 2025 (filed as a signed act record dated April 17, 2025).

Sponsors: Multi‑member bipartisan sponsorship in both chambers; principal sponsors include Senators Larry Liston and Nick Hinrichsen and Representatives Shannon Bird and Anthony Hartsook, with many cosponsors listed.

Practical effect

SJR 25‑016 is a formal expression of the Colorado legislature’s policy stance — a diplomatic and economic signal intended to encourage deeper trade, academic, and governmental engagement with Taiwan and to support Taiwan’s international participation. It may bolster state‑level initiatives and public‑private activities but carries no binding legal or financial obligations.

Bill