Denver -- A 10 percent tax break for movie makers is the big offering in House Bill 1010, introduced on Jan. 7.

At least 100 supporters rallied at the state Capitol Wednesday, believing the bill, if passed, could bring 500 direct jobs to Colorado by June.

"How else can you bring new industry into rural areas that come in, they don't put demands on infrastructure, they put people to work, they fill up motels, restaurants, buy groceries, put caterers to work, you name it, the whole spectrum and then they leave?" said Rep. Tom Massey, R-Poncha Springs.

Massey believes the bill could help get the state's slumping economy moving.

It would allow studios to essentially bill the state, sending in itemized receipts for all expenses incurred in our state while in production.

The state would then verify the expenses, and then issue a check worth 10 percent of the approved expenses.

Supporters say it's revenue neutral and would not take tax dollars away from any other program.

But right now, a local Oscar winning producer, Donna Dewey, says Colorado isn't even on the map for movie studios because there is no tax break being offered.

"The first thing a producer looks for is incentives. What state should they shoot in? Or country? Where should they shoot the film? And, if there are no incentives, they're not even going to knock on our door?" said Dewey, who won the Oscar for Best Documentary Short in 1997.

Supporters of 1010 point south, to New Mexico, where an aggressive campaign helps lure $2 billion a year in movie production revenues.

Opponents to similar measures have said Colorado shouldn't have to use tax breaks to lure movie makers when our dramatic, varied scenery is some of the best in the country.

1010 will go before the House Finance committee next week.