Too many people in Colorado have been hit by unfair credit card interest rate hikes and hidden fees. At a time when hardworking Coloradans are worried about losing their jobs and how they will pay for their health care costs for their families, credit card companies are slamming them with abusive practices.

In Durango, Melissa Mosley's interest rates suddenly skyrocketed to 32 percent, making it more difficult to keep her small business afloat and make ends meet.

Joy Beason of Cedaredge asked me why she should be forced to accept a three-fold interest rate without reason or notification of any kind.

And Garrett Mumma of Pueblo told me his interest rate doubled from 7.9 percent to 13.65 percent despite a solid history of paying on time and, sometimes, in full.

In a letter to my office, Garrett wrote: "I only want what's fair - I want the credit card companies to honor their original agreements and not to gouge the American people when they're already suffering so much from the present economic crisis."

Their struggles paint an unacceptable picture. We need to rein in abusive practices and create a new set of common-sense rules for the road that work for Colorado working families.

These difficult times call for all of us to band together - to stand up for Colorado's working families and remember that Main Street matters.

This week, Congress passed legislation that will establish fair and sensible rules for how and when credit card companies can raise interest rates. It will make sure consumers no longer have to pay a fee just to pay a bill. It protects our youngsters from predatory marketers. And it calls for oversight so that we can keep the industry in line.

As Mr. Mumma said in his letter, Coloradans "only want what's fair." I believe that's what they deserve and that's what this legislation will work to do.

Thanks,