First Regular Session | 74th General Assembly
Colorado General AssemblyThis memorandum provides an overview of the statewide ballot measure process; a summary of the measures approved or rejected by Colorado voters between 1880 and 2021; and links to additional resources at the offices of the Colorado Legislative Council Staff and the Colorado Secretary of State....
This memorandum provides an executive summary of the various Executive Orders issued during the declared disaster emergency related to COVID‑19 in Colorado.
The state incurs wildfire-related expenditures in several departments for various activities including wildfire prevention, preparedness, mitigation, suppression, and recovery. These activities are not explicitly broken out in the state budget and are spread across various line items in...
This memorandum provides an overview of programs that are designed to provide a boost to Colorado's economy, including incentivizing businesses to locate in Colorado, expand their Colorado-based workforce, or otherwise grow their Colorado business operations. This memorandum does not include...
The state legislature established the Colorado Public Employees’ Retirement Association (PERA) in 1931 to provide a pension benefit to state and local government employees, predating the federal Social Security Act of 1935 by four years. PERA is a substitute for Social Security for most...
This memorandum provides an overview of the Colorado unemployment insurance (UI) program, including UI benefits, funding, and solvency in the context of recent economic downturns.
This issue brief examines Colorado fireworks law, including permissible fireworks, sales, local government regulations, penalties for violating state laws, and executive orders.
During the 2021 legislative session, the General Assembly considered several measures related to labor and employment, including measures related to workforce development, the treatment of workers, and workers’ compensation.
This memorandum summarizes the policies and procedures for committees meeting during the 2021 legislative interim.
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.
Article V, Section 1 (7.5), Colorado Constitution, and Section 1-40-124.5, Colorado Revised Statutes, require the Legislative Council Staff to prepare a ballot information booklet prior to each election in which a statewide issue appears on the ballot. The booklet's purpose is to provide voters...
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,...
This issue brief provides a summary of the federal legislation that was passed in response to the COVID‑19, or coronavirus, public health emergency.
This memorandum provides information on how revenue changes in legislative measures may impact the state’s flexibility in using its $3.8 billion allocation of federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. This memorandum will be updated as additional federal guidance becomes available and...
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,...
This memo provides an overview of data on income inequality in Colorado and the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic by income and other demographic characteristics. This memo uses new sources of publicly available high-frequency data from the U.S. Census Bureau and private companies to...
This memorandum provides a summary of leading economic indicators to inform the General Assembly of the current state of the Colorado and U.S. economies. Available data through December suggest that the pace of recovery remained subdued or even reversed course in recent months as coronavirus...
The purpose of the CDC final report is to provide annual and historical information on the capital development process. The 2020 final report provides a complete summary of all capital construction and controlled maintenance appropriations during the 2018 session. A five-year history and three-...
This issue brief provides an overview of federal and state family, medical, and sick leave laws.
To date, Colorado and eight other states have enacted paid family and medical leave laws. The other states include California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Washington. In addition, Hawaii has a paid medical leave law. This memorandum provides a...
On March 11, 2020, Governor Polis issued Executive Order D 2020 003, declaring a disaster emergency pursuant to state law due to the presence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‑19). The disaster emergency declaration triggers certain provisions in the Colorado Constitution and state law....
The General Assembly passed several bills to support workers in the state. Legislation included bills to ensure paid sick leave for most workers, expand unemployment, protect against hair discrimination, protect whistleblowers who raise concerns about workplace safety in a public health...
Economic Outlook for the U.S. and Colorado
The ongoing expansion in the U.S. economy is fueled by consumer contributions.
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,...