State Education Fund Report (2016)
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...
Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement Payment Forecast (2016)
Colorado receives annual payments from tobacco manufacturers as part of the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement. In April 2015, the state received $88.1 million. This memorandum presents the distribution of the received payment from 2015 and forecasts payments and distributions through FY 2017...
State Digital Trunked Radio Systems (2016)
This memorandum discusses Colorado’s Digital Trunked Radio System (DTRS). The first section of the memorandum highlights the history and members of DTRS. The next section describes the components of DTRS. The final section notes the funding history of DTRS.
FY 2016-17 Staff Budget Briefing Summary
Forecast December 2015
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,...
Capital Development Committee Information and Procedures
Capital Development Committee (CDC) Information and Procedures
Capital Development Committee Responsibilities and Definitions
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.
Forecast September 2015
State Revenue Changes and the Colorado State Budget (2015)
This memorandum provides an overview of how changes in tax and fee revenue impact Colorado’s state budget. Pursuant to the Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR) Amendment, the State of Colorado is limited in the amount of revenue from taxes and fees that it can retain and spend. The TABOR Amendment...
FY 2015-16 Appropriations Report
FY 2015-16 Budget In Brief
Forecast June 2015
Focus Colorado presents forecasts for the economy and state government revenue through FY 2016-17. 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,...
Colorado's Constitutional Spending Limit (2015)
In 1992, voters approved an amendment to the Colorado Constitution — Article X, Section 20 — known as the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights (TABOR). TABOR limits annual growth in state spending.
FY2015-16 Budget Package and Long Bill Narrative
Forecast March 2015
Focus Colorado presents forecasts for the economy and state government revenue through FY 2016-17. 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,...
CY 2015 FY 2014-15 Supplemental Package Narrative
Colorado's K-12 Education Funding Rankings (2015)
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...
FY 2015-16 Staff Budget Briefing Summary
High Performance Certification Program (2014)
New construction and substantial renovation of academic buildings and facilities constructed or maintained with state General Fund moneys (hereafter referred to as "state facilities") are required to comply with the High Performance Certification Program (HPCP). The program requires the...
Transportation Planning and Funding in Colorado
This issue brief examines the entities and revenue sources used to administer and finance Colorado's transportation system.
Capital Construction and the Role of the Capital Development Committee (2014)
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 projects...
Information Technology Funding and the Role of the Joint Technology Committee (2014)
Information technology (IT) is used by every state agency to make operations more efficient and services more widely available to the citizens of Colorado. Along with other day-to-day expenses of state government, expenses related to IT are paid through the operating budget in the state's annual...
Statutory Transfer to Fund Transportation and Capital Construction (2014)
Senate Bill (SB) 09-228, adopted by the General Assembly during the 2009 legislative session, creates a five-year block of statutory transfers from the General Fund to finance transportation and capital construction projects. This issue brief discusses the state law that specifies the amounts of...
Interim Committee Legislation (2014)
During the summer and fall of 2014, seven interim committees and commissions met to discuss policy issues and draft legislation for consideration by the General Assembly during the upcoming legislative session. As required by legislative rules, the Legislative Council Committee met to review the...