Why It Matters
Colorado businesses that paid tariffs under the Trump administration’s International Emergency Economic Powers Act authority now have a potential path to recovering those costs following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that declared those tariffs unlawful. For Colorado importers — from small family-owned businesses on the Western Slope to larger commercial operations along the Front Range — the refund process could return significant sums, but only if companies take timely, correct action once a federal claims portal opens in mid-April.
The case has direct implications for Colorado’s trade-dependent businesses, particularly those that rely on imported goods from China and other countries to manufacture or sell products domestically.
What Happened
Roughly one month ago, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that tariffs imposed by the Trump administration under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, known as IEEPA, were illegal. The decision opened the door to an estimated $166 billion in potential refunds to American importers who paid those fees.
In response, the federal government is preparing to launch an online claims portal, expected to open in mid-April, through which businesses can submit refund requests. Companies will be required to take specific action — filing protests, submitting claims, or pursuing other legal remedies — to receive payment.
Abram Herman, owner of The Sukkah Project in Grand Junction, is among the Colorado business owners awaiting the portal’s launch. His company imports materials from China used to build tent-like structures commemorating the Jewish holiday Sukkot. Herman estimates he is owed “tens of thousands of dollars” in tariff payments that have since been ruled unlawful.
Despite the Supreme Court’s ruling, Herman and many other business owners remain uncertain about the timeline for actual reimbursement. “What I’ve heard is that it may take up to a year or longer if there are additional court cases or other things,” Herman said. “Nobody knows at this point, I think.”
By the Numbers
- $166 billion — The estimated total value of tariff refunds potentially owed to American importers following the Supreme Court ruling.
- Mid-April 2026 — The expected opening date for the federal online portal where businesses can submit refund claims.
- 1+ year — The estimated timeline some industry observers and affected business owners have cited before refunds could be fully processed, depending on additional litigation.
- Tens of thousands of dollars — The approximate refund amount estimated by at least one Colorado small business owner, Abram Herman of Grand Junction’s The Sukkah Project.
- ~1 month — The time elapsed since the Supreme Court issued its ruling declaring IEEPA-based tariffs illegal, leaving businesses scrambling to understand their options.
Zoom Out
The Supreme Court’s IEEPA ruling has nationwide implications for importers across virtually every industry sector. American businesses paid tariffs on a broad range of imported goods — from electronics and steel to consumer products and specialty items — under the IEEPA authority the Trump administration invoked to justify the levies.
The $166 billion figure reflects the scale of tariff collection during the relevant period and positions this as one of the largest potential federal refund actions in recent trade history. Similar situations have played out on smaller scales in past trade disputes, but the size and scope of IEEPA-based tariffs make this case historically significant.
Other states with large import-dependent manufacturing and retail sectors — including California, Texas, New York, and Illinois — are expected to account for the largest shares of total refund claims due to their higher volumes of international trade activity. However, small and mid-sized businesses in states like Colorado are also affected and will need to navigate the same claims process as larger corporations.
Trade attorneys and customs brokers have advised importers nationally to begin gathering documentation of all tariff payments made under IEEPA authority in preparation for the portal’s launch.
What’s Next
Once the federal claims portal opens in mid-April, Colorado importers will need to act promptly to file their refund requests. Legal and customs experts are urging businesses to consult with trade attorneys or licensed customs brokers before submitting claims to ensure they meet all procedural requirements.
The timeline for actual disbursement of refunds remains unclear. The process could be extended further if additional legal challenges arise related to the Supreme Court ruling or the refund mechanism itself. Business owners like Herman have been advised to prepare for a wait of up to one year or more before receiving payment.
Federal agencies have not yet released detailed guidance on all documentation requirements for the portal, leaving some importers uncertain about what records they will need to compile before the mid-April deadline approaches.