Issue Briefs
Smart Government Act
The State Measurement for Accountable, Responsive, and Transparent Government Act (SMART Act) was adopted in 2010 by House Bill 10-1119. This bill...
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Issue Briefs
Overview of the Office of the Attorney General
The Attorney General is a statewide elected official who acts as the chief legal representative of the state and the chief executive officer of the Department of Law. The Attorney General and the Department of Law together are known as the Colorado Attorney General’s Office. This issue brief...
Issue Briefs
Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act
The harmful effects of secondhand smoke and emissions from tobacco, marijuana, and electronic smoking devices continue to be an issue in Colorado. Since 1992, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has classified secondhand tobacco smoke as a known cause of cancer.
10/29/2024
Liquor, Tobacco, & Marijuana
Local Government
Public Health
State Government
Issue Briefs
State and Federal Immigration Laws
The U.S. federal government holds exclusive authority to regulate immigration, including who may enter the country and under what conditions. Nevertheless, states can enact laws that impact immigrants and influence the enforcement of federal immigration laws, provided that these state laws do...
Issue Briefs
New to Colorado
Colorado’s population reached nearly 5.8 million according to the 2020 census, a 14.8 percent increase from 2010. For those joining the influx of new people moving to the Centennial State, this issue brief outlines best practices for establishing residency, applying for state...
Issue Briefs
Law Enforcement Liability
Under the Colorado Governmental Immunity Act (CGIA), public entities and employees are generally immune from liability in all claims except those specifically provided for in state law. In 2020, national and local public demonstrations against excessive use of force by law enforcement prompted...
Issue Briefs
Food Assistance in Colorado
Federal, state, and local entities work to deliver programs and initiatives to increase food security and accessibility for Coloradans. This issue brief provides an overview of key programs and efforts within the state, including beneficiaries, operations, and funding.
08/24/2023
Children & Domestic Matters
Human Services
Public Health
State Government
Issue Briefs
Colorado Fireworks Law (21-06)
This issue brief examines Colorado fireworks law, including permissible fireworks, sales, local government regulations, penalties for violating state laws, and executive orders.
Issue Briefs
Respite Care in Colorado (20-27)
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...
Issue Briefs
Colorado's Climate Action Plan and Climate Change Data Collection (20-23)
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...
Issue Briefs
State-Sponsored Retirement Plans (20-22)
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.
Issue Briefs
Home Rule Governance in Colorado (20-16)
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.
Issue Briefs
Unemployment Insurance and Economic Downturns (20-13)
This 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.
04/22/2020
Business & Economic Development
Labor & Employment
State Government
Issue Briefs
PERA's Automatic Adjustment Provision (20-09)
Senate Bill 18-200, Modifications to the Colorado Public Employees' Retirement Association (PERA) to Eliminate Unfunded Liability, included an automatic adjustment provision (AAP) that triggers when PERA's trusts are not on track to reach full funding within the targeted 30-year period. This...
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...