Second Regular Session | 74th General Assembly
Colorado General AssemblyThis issue brief 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 provides an overview of minors’ rights to deny others access to medical records under the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and Colorado state law. It also discusses state law pertaining to the ability of minors to consent to...
This memorandum provides a summary of the various Executive Orders and Public Health Orders issued during the declared disaster emergency related to the presence of COVID‑19 in Colorado.
During the 2017 legislative session, the General Assembly considered a number of bills affecting funding for capital construction and the duties of the Capital Development Committee (CDC).
During the 2019 legislative session, the General Assembly considered measures related to its own operations, federal relations, state employees and retirement plans, state agencies and procurement, open records and meetings, and notarization and recording.
This issue brief discusses recent federal guidance related to 1332 state innovation waivers, the required criteria that must be met for approval of a waiver, the components of federal law that can be waived, the application process for a waiver, the monitoring and review process for an...
This issue brief outlines home rule governance for municipalities and counties, including the process for adopting a home rule charter and the powers that a home rule charter provides to local governments.
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...
Report No. 2020-TE15
Report No. 2020-TE17
In 1982, voters approved a constitutional measure governing property taxes, including a provision known as the Gallagher Amendment (Gallagher). Gallagher sought to protect homeowners from rising property taxes by maintaining a relatively constant ratio of residential and nonresidential property...
During the 2020 session, the General Assembly considered bills related to immunizations, food safety, chemical and consumer safety, substance use disorders, and paid sick leave.
This issue brief examines Colorado fireworks law, including permissible fireworks, sales, local government regulations, penalties for violating state laws, and executive orders.
In the 2020 session, the Colorado General Assembly considered measures related to the regulation of health care facilities, behavioral health and substance use, prescription drug costs, and abortion.
In the 2020 session, the Colorado General Assembly considered measures related to health insurance benefits, reinsurance, the Colorado Option health plan, and Medicaid.
This memorandum provides an executive summary of the various Executive Orders issued during the declared disaster emergency related to COVID‑19 in Colorado.
During the 2020 legislative session, the General Assembly considered measures related to its operations, state employees and retirement plans, state agencies and procurement, open records and meetings, and notarization. Several of the bills were in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the...
Vaccinations offer protection from common infectious diseases. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends specific vaccines for all infants, children, and adults during their lifetime to provide immunity from preventable illness. A recent analysis estimated that...
The Legislative Council Staff's Energy Handbook is intended to serve as a reference guide to Colorado's energy sector. The book is divided into five sections. Section I covers the sources and uses of energy in Colorado. Section II explains how severance taxes and federal mineral lease moneys...
This issue brief provides an overview of state‑sponsored retirement plans, retirement plan marketplaces, and multiple employer retirement plans for private sector workers. The brief also includes a discussion of related federal laws and Congressional activity.
In 2019, Colorado enacted House Bill 19-1261, establishing statewide greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction goals. Colorado also enacted Senate Bill 19‑096, requiring the Air Quality...
This memorandum provides information about the regulation of professions and occupations in Colorado. Over 100 professions and occupations are currently required to be licensed, certified, or registered in Colorado, or are authorized to use an exclusive professional title, known as title...
Respite care provides temporary relief to a caregiver from the physical and emotional impacts of caring for a person with special needs who requires assistance to care for themselves. Care can be provided for a few hours, overnight, or on an extended basis by a friend, family member, volunteer...
This memorandum provides an overview of the various Public Health Orders issued by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) during the declared disaster emergency related to COVID‑19 in Colorado. Thirteen public health orders have been issued since March, 2020.
The following are the safety protocols for the First Regular Session of the 73rd General Assembly. These protocols are adopted after consultations with a bi-partisan group of legislators, non-partisan legislative staff, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, the National...