First Regular Session | 74th General Assembly
Colorado General AssemblyThe 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 summarizes legislative efforts since 2017 to control prescription drug prices. It includes information on both bills that failed as well as those that became law.
This issue brief examines Colorado fireworks law, including permissible fireworks, sales, local government regulations, penalties for violating state laws, and executive orders.
This memorandum summarizes the policies and procedures for committees meeting during the 2021 legislative interim.
During the 2021 legislative session, the General Assembly considered several measures related to public health, including behavioral health, suicide prevention, and public safety.
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...
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 an overview of various federal, state, and local programs and resources that are available to provide assistance to small businesses in Colorado during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
This issue brief provides an overview of nuclear energy, its history in Colorado, public health and safety concerns, and recent technology advancements.
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-...
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....
Coronavirus (COVID-19) has impacted almost every aspect of society, including the criminal justice system, leaving crowded courts, prisons, and jails especially susceptible to the outbreak. This memorandum provides an overview of how prisons in Colorado are reacting to this public health...
This memorandum provides an overview of Colorado’s plan for the administration of the COVID-19 vaccinations.
This memorandum provides information related to state and federal laws prohibiting price gouging during declared disaster emergencies.
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.
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...
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 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.
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 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.
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 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 has classified secondhand tobacco smoke as a known cause of cancer. The Centers for Disease...
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...
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.