Staff Publications
Glossary of Legislative Terms (2015)
Glossary of Legislative Terms
Displaying 1 - 25 of 278 results
Staff Publications
State Funding for Water Projects (2015)
This memorandum identifies state funding for water supply projects, including the:
- Colorado Water Conservation Board Construction Fund;
- Severance Tax Trust Fund Perpetual Base Fund;
- Water Supply Reserve Fund;
- Water Efficiency Grant Program; and ...
Issue Briefs
Inspections of Oil and Gas Development (2013)
There are approximately 50,000 active oil and gas wells in Colorado. This issue brief provides an overview of Colorado's oil and gas operations inspection processes and offers a summary of legislative measures related to inspections of oil and gas development that were passed by the Colorado...
Issue Briefs
Lower North Fork Wildfire Commission (2012)
On March 22, 2012, state officials coordinated a prescribed burn on publicly owned land in rural Jefferson County. Based on a report issued by the U.S. Forest Service, embers from that prescribed burn are believed to have ignited the Lower North Fork Wildfire in the same area on March 26, 2012....
Issue Briefs
Conservation Easements (2012)
A conservation easement is a voluntary legal agreement between a landowner and a charitable organization or government entity that permanently protects scenic or agricultural open space, natural habitat, or recreational areas.
Summary of Major Legislation
Summary of Natural Resources and Environment Legislation (2019)
During the 2019 legislative session, the General Assembly considered a variety of measures related to climate change, land conservation, wildfires, and other issues related to environmental protection.
Summary of Major Legislation
Summary of General Assembly Legislation (2014)
This document provides a summary of legislation pertaining to the operations of the General Assembly considered by the legislature during the 2014 session.
Staff Publications
Staff Summary LERP Committee (10/23/2014)
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS, RESPONSE, AND RECOVERY
Issue Briefs
The Colorado Water Plan (2014)
On May 14, 2013, Governor Hickenlooper issued an executive order directing the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) to develop the Colorado Water Plan (CWP). According to executive order D 2013-005, the CWP must promote a productive economy that supports vibrant and sustainable cities;...
Issue Briefs
The Sale and Use of Fireworks in Colorado (2014)
This issue brief examines Colorado's fireworks law, including the ability of cities and counties to regulate fireworks.
Issue Briefs
Interim Committee Legislation (2014)
During the summer and fall of 2014, seven interim committees and commissions met to discuss policy issues and draft legislation for consideration by the General Assembly during the upcoming legislative session. As required by legislative rules, the Legislative Council Committee met to review the...
Summary of Major Legislation
Summary of Agriculture Legislation (2014)
The General Assembly considered bills on a variety of agricultural issues in 2014 including agricultural labeling, agriculture oversight, taxation, and animal care. This document provides a summary of the legislation.
Issue Briefs
Capital Construction and the Role of the Capital Development Committee (2014)
The day-to-day expenses of state government are paid through the operating budget in the state's annual budget bill. Expenses related to new construction, renovation, or maintenance of the state's capital assets are paid through the capital budget. This issue brief outlines the types of projects...
Summary of Major Legislation
Summary of Water Legislation (2014)
This document provides a summary of water legislation considered by the General Assembly during the 2014 session.
Issue Briefs
State and Local Government as a Proportion of the State Economy (2014)
This issue brief provides information on the relative size of state and local governments, compared with the total state economy. Government expenditures are represented as a percentage of the state's gross domestic product (GDP). In Colorado, stategovernmentexpendituresarebelowthenational...
Issue Briefs
The Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act (2016)
Concern over the detrimental effects of secondhand tobacco smoke on nonsmokers has grown in recent years. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency classified secondhand tobacco smoke as a known cause of cancer in humans in a December 1992 report. In an effort to reduce the risk of tobacco smoke-...
Issue Briefs
Certificates of Participation (18-09)
In lieu of issuing bonds, or using another form of long-term debt, the state often uses a form of lease-purchase agreement called certificates of participation (COPs) to finance the construction of its new facilities. A certificate refers to an investor's proportionate interest in the state's...
Staff Publications
Fraudulent Use of Pets as Service Animals (2016)
This memorandum provides information regarding state laws penalizing those who misrepresent pets or other animals as service animals. Nine states have laws prohibiting the misrepresentation of pets, and nine states have laws prohibiting people from misrepresenting themselves as disabled in order...
03/10/2016
Agriculture
Civil Law
Crimes, Corrections, & Enforcement
Human Services
Staff Publications
Colorado Conservation Easement Tax Credit Program
The federal and state governments each provide tax incentives for landowners who designate their land as a conservation easement, foregoing certain use rights in order to preserve the land in perpetuity. This memorandum provides information on federal and state conservation easement tax...
08/28/2017
Fiscal Policy & Taxes
Natural Resources & Environment
State Government
Issue Briefs
Legislative Decision-Making and Colorado's Pension Plans (2013)
Like other states, Colorado offers retirement benefits to its employees through a variety of pension plans. The state's pension plans are established in law and include both employee and employer contributions, which are made in lieu of contributions to the federal Social Security program. The...
12/06/2013
Financial Services & Commerce
General Assembly
State Government
Issue Briefs
The Smart Government Act (2013)
The Colorado General Assembly has considered and made changes to the state budget process during the past three years. Specifically, House Bill 10-1119 established a performance-based budgeting program through the State Measurement for Accountable, Responsive, and Transparent (SMART) Government...
Issue Briefs
Electronic Device Recycling (2013)
In 2012, the General Assembly enacted and the Governor signed the Electronic Recycling Jobs Act (Senate Bill 12-133), which prohibits the disposal of certain personal-use electronic items in landfills. This issue brief provides an overview of electronic waste (e-waste) legislation, the types of...
09/12/2013
Natural Resources & Environment
Telecommunications & Information Technology
Final/Annual Reports
Capital Development Committee Fiscal Year 2015-16 Annual Report (2016)
Final report of the Capital Development Committee for FY 2015-16.
Issue Briefs
State Procurement and Contracting (2016)
The purchase of goods and services by public entities in Colorado is generally governed by the state procurement code. This code is designed to ensure the fair treatment of people seeking to do business with the state, to foster broad-based competition through a bidding process, and to save...
Issue Briefs
Capital Construction and the Role of the Capital Development Committee (2016)
The day-to-day expenses of state government are paid through the operating budget in the state's annual budget bill. Expenses related to new construction, renovation, or maintenance of the state's capital assets are paid through the capital budget. This issue brief outlines the types of...