Evaluating Tax Expenditure Legislation
This memorandum provides information intended to aid in the evaluation of legislation that would create a new or alter an existing tax expenditure. State law defines a tax expenditure as a “tax provision that provides a gross or taxable income definition, deduction, exemption, credit, or rate...
Colorado Marijuana Personal Cultivation Laws (19-10)
This issue brief provides an overview of Colorado’s laws, at both the state and local level, related to the personal cultivation of marijuana.
Budget in Brief Fiscal Year 2019-20
The Budget in Brief is a condensed summary of the final action of the General Assembly and the Governor on the budget and other legislation passed during the previous legislative session that contained an appropriation of moneys.
Appropriations Report Fiscal Year 2019-20
The Appropriations Report summarizes the final action of the General Assembly and the Governor on the budget and other legislation passed during the previous legislative session that contained an appropriation of moneys.
Forecast June 2019
Focus Colorado presents forecasts for the economy and state government revenue through FY 2019-20. Implications of the forecast for the state's General Fund budget and spending limit are described in the report's highlights and executive summary sections. The report is based on current law,...
Summary of Liquor, Tobacco/Nicotine, and Marijuana Legislation (2019)
During the 2019 legislative session, the General Assembly considered a number of bills related to the regulation of liquor, tobacco/nicotine, and marijuana.
State Government Enterprises
This memorandum provides information on state government enterprises under Article X, Section 20 of the Colorado Constitution, also known as the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR). From FY 1993-94 through FY 2017-18, 22 state government entities had received enterprise status for at least one...
Impact of Final Residential Assessment Rate on Local Share
FY 2019-20 Budget Package and Long Bill Narrative
The Long Bill Narrative, which is the annual appropriations act, is prepared by staff to explain funding decisions recommended by the JBC to the rest of the General Assembly. This document is a companion document to the actual Long Bill. The narrative outlines budget changes based on the...
Forecast March 2019
Focus Colorado presents forecasts for the economy and state government revenue through FY 2019-20. Implications of the forecast for the state's General Fund budget and spending limit are described in the report's highlights and executive summary sections. The report is based on current law,...
Fiscal Strategies for Budget Shortfalls
Each year, the General Assembly is tasked with balancing constitutional, statutory, and federal requirements with other legislative considerations, such as competing policy priorities, caseload pressures, and the health of the state’s economy, in order to create a budget. The Colorado...
CY 2019 for FY 2018-19 Supplemental Narrative
The Supplemental Narrative is prepared by the staff to explain proposed adjustments to prior year appropriations recommended by the JBC to the rest of the General Assembly. This narrative describes all of the proposed budget changes statewide, by department, and by program, and provides...
2019 Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement Payment Forecast
Colorado receives annual payments from tobacco manufacturers as part of the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement (MSA). In April 2018, the state received $177.3 million, including a one‑time payment of $113.3 million pursuant to the Nonparticipating Manufacturers Adjustment Settlement Agreement...
Summary of School Finance Legislation (2019)
During the 2018 legislative session, the General Assembly considered measures related to public school funding in Colorado. Specifically, the legislature considered bills pertaining to kindergarten through twelfth grade (K-12) school funding, tax credits and deductions, grant programs, school...
2018 Capital Development Committee Final Report
The purpose of the CDC final report is to provide annual and historical information on the capital development process. The 2018 final report provides a complete summary of all capital construction and controlled maintenance appropriations during the 2018 session. A five-year history and three-...
Overview of the Colorado Public Employees' Retirement Association and Changes Made by Senate Bill 18-200
This memorandum provides an overview of the Colorado Public Employees’ Retirement Association (PERA) and the changes made to PERA by Senate Bill 18‑200.
Overview of the Transition from 3.2 to Full-Strength Beer
This memorandum responds to your request for background information related to the January 1, 2019, transition to full-strength beer.
2018 Joint Technology Committee Final Report
The purpose of the Joint Technology Committee (JTC) final report is to provide annual and historical information on the information technology (IT) capital budget request process. The 2018 final report provides a complete summary of all IT capital construction appropriations during the 2018...
Forecast December 2018
Focus Colorado presents forecasts for the economy and state government revenue through FY 2020-21. Implications of the forecast for the state's General Fund budget and spending limit are described in the report's highlights and executive summary sections. The report is based on current law,...
Understanding the State Budget Information Paper
Understanding the State Budget: The Big Picture
Each year, the General Assembly is tasked with balancing constitutional, statutory, and federal requirements with a host of other considerations, such as competing policy priorities, caseload pressures, and the health of the state’s economy...
The TABOR Revenue Limit
The Colorado Constitution limits the amount of revenue, from most sources, that the state government and local governments are permitted to retain and spend or save. This memorandum presents information on this constitutional requirement and its administration at the state level.
General Fund Contributions to Transportation, FY 1979-80 to FY 2017-18
Capital Construction and the Role of the Capital Development Committee (18-16)
This issue brief outlines the types of projects and expenses defined as capital construction, the role of the Capital Development Committee (CDC) in overseeing the approval and implementation of capital projects, and funding for capital projects.
Alternatives to the Gallagher Amendment Interim Study Committee Summary Report
Summary Report for the Alternatives to the Gallagher Amendment Interim Study Committee to the Legislative Council...