First Regular Session | 75th General Assembly
Colorado General AssemblyFocus 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,...
Economic Outlook for the U.S. and Colorado
Consistent with the later stages of economic expansion, growth has slowed for the U.S. and Colorado economies.
Colorado's individual income tax form allows a taxpayer to make a voluntary contribution to any one of 15 funds, each of which benefits a program or charitable organization (organization). This issue brief provides information on the income tax "checkoff" program and the selection of...
K-12 funding rankings are of perpetual interest to legislators, educators, parents, and the general public because they provide a measure to evaluate where Colorado stands nationally on education funding. However, rankings can also result in confusion because of data differences and metrics used...
This issue brief provides a brief overview of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), related federal and state regulations, and current uses and restrictions in Colorado.
Colorado's Taxpayer's Bill of Rights (TABOR) requires voter approval of any new taxes. Prior to voter approval, it also requires that voters receive estimates of state spending without new taxes and the new tax revenue. Proposition AA, which authorized the 10 percent sales tax and the 15 percent...
Three state taxes apply to marijuana, but medical and retail marijuana are taxed differently. Both medical and retail marijuana are subject to the 2.9 percent state sales tax, which is applied to most purchases in the state. Additionally, retail marijuana is subject to a 10 percent sales tax,...
Colorado has a complex framework of laws regulating the manufacture, distribution, sale, and consumption of alcohol in the state. This issue brief outlines Colorado liquor laws; the regulatory structure; government revenue streams; and the role of state and local governments in licensing and...
Section 1332 of the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) allows a state to apply for a state innovation waiver to pursue innovative strategies for providing its residents with access to high-quality, affordable health insurance while still retaining certain elements of the...
Colorado currently administers 11 Home- and Community-Based Services Medicaid (HCBS) Waivers. This issue brief discusses the five waivers available to children. An issue brief entitled Medicaid Waiver Programs Part II – Home- and Community-Based Services Medicaid Waivers for Adults discusses the...
This issue brief discusses the various offenses related to driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol in Colorado, and their associated criminal and administrative penalties.
Colorado levies a 2.9 percent sales tax on purchases of most goods and some services. A complementary use tax is levied when sales tax is due but was not collected. This issue brief provides information on the state use tax and its collection.
This issue brief provides an overview of marijuana tax revenue. Three state taxes apply to marijuana, with medical and retail marijuana taxed differently. Both medical and retail marijuana are subject to the existing 2.9 percent state sales tax, which is applied to most purchases in the state....
Senate Bill 09-256 amends the Public School Finance Act of 1994 to provide funding for school districts for the 2009-10 budget year. Senate Bill 09-259, the "Long Bill," appropriates most of the money distributed to school districts. Highlights of funding provided to school districts by the two...
The forecast for the State Education Fund and the level of General Fund appropriations needed to pay for school finance has changed from when the General Assembly adjourned in May 2015. Property values grew rapidly in 2015, and are expected to continue to grow over the next few years, helping to...