Immigrant Households Have Billions in Spending Power, Says Denver-Area Report Ahead of GOP Debate in Colorado
Colorado, a swing state for the presidential election, has seen its immigrant population contribute billions of dollars in spending and tax power.
The Partnership for a New American Economy, the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce and the Americas Society/Council of the Americas will convene for an event on Wednesday to recognize financial contributions immigrants provided Colorado's capital. At the event, speakers will also discuss how Denver can improve, attract and integrate communities across work sectors.
Based on initial data ahead of the report's release, Denver's foreign-born households have more than $6.9 billion in spending power and provide over $673 million in taxes for state and local budgets, while $1.2 billion have been contributed to federal taxes.
In regards to federal social programs, estimates suggest immigrant households give more than $1 billion to Social Security and over $256 million for Medicare.
The financial contributions could increase as the Denver metropolitan area -- which also includes the counties of Adams, Arapahoe, Broomfield, Clear Creek, Douglas, Elbert, Gilpin, Jefferson and Park -- encountered an immigrant population growth of 86,000 during the last decade. Between 2000 and 2013, the metropolitan area saw its immigrant population grow from 10.8 percent in 2000 to 12 percent in 2013, which accounts for 17.5 percent of the total population growth compared to 82.5 percent by native-born residents.
Similar to national stats, most foreign-born workers are engaged in the construction industry, in addition to the automotive workforce and accommodation and food services sector.
"Denver provides yet another example of a great American city that enjoys the dynamism immigrants bring to local industries and communities," said Partnership for a New American Economy Chairman John Feinblatt. "This research shows how immigrants play important roles in the region's largest industries, strengthen the local tax base, and start businesses that create additional jobs in the metro area and across Colorado."
"Immigration has become a political football in the presidential campaign, but the facts clearly show it's great for our country," said Americas Society/Council of the Americas Vice President of Policy Brian Winter. "We must continue to highlight the contributions of the millions of immigrants who make our cities stronger and help our economies grow."
The report's release coincides with the third Republican presidential debate, which is scheduled on Wednesday from the University of Colorado in Boulder, Colorado -- located northwest from Denver. CNBC will broadcast the debate. In a statement released last July, CNBC Chairman Mark Hoffman acknowledged that presidential elections "are often won or lost based on core economic positions, understandings and values," and, thus, will be the "centerpiece" of Wednesday's debate.
Colorado's Latino population surpasses the national average. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Colorado's Latino population hit 21.2 percent, ahead of the national 17.4 percent average. According to the groups presenting the report, most of Denver's immigrants are from Latin America (68 percent), followed by Asia (18.3 percent) and Africa (6.5 percent).
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For the latest updates, follow Latin Post's Politics Editor Michael Oleaga on Twitter: @EditorMikeO or contact via email: m.oleaga@latinpost.com.