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...

Colorado’s Enterprise Zone Program was created by the General Assembly in 1986. The program provides state income tax credits to business and individuals for investing in economically distressed areas of the state in an effort to encourage economic development.  This issue brief describes the...

Urban renewal provides a set of tools available to local governments to combat slum and blight conditions. This issue brief highlights urban renewal laws and financing in Colorado.

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...

Colorado’s state court system is comprised of many different courts, including the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals (COA), and district courts. Colorado law also governs county courts and jurisdiction-specific courts in Denver.1 This issue brief describes the qualification requirements and...

Colorado was tied for the fifth highest suicide rate in the nation in 2014, the most recent year of nationally available data.  In 2015, there were 1,093 suicides among Colorado residents, which is the highest number of suicides in the state’s history.  This issue brief outlines legislative...

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...

Responsibilities and Definitions

The Capital Development Committee (CDC) was established in 1985 (House Bill 85-1070), and its statutory charge is found under Section 2-3-1301, et seq., C.R.S.

Quick Facts About the Legislative Council

• The 18-member Legislative Council is comprised of nine Senators and nine Representatives, including the six members of the Executive Committee.
• The Legislative Council elects a chair and vice-chair annually.
• A quorum of the
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To Members of the Seventieth General Assembly:

Submitted herewith is the final report of the State Capitol Building Advisory Committee (advisory committee). The advisory committee was created pursuant to Section 24-82-108, C.R.S., and serves in an advisory capacity to the Capital...

Focus Colorado presents forecasts for the economy and state government revenue through FY 2017-18. 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,...

CONSUMER PRICE INDEX - December 2016 Forecast