First Regular Session | 72nd General Assembly
Colorado General AssemblyThis memorandum provides information intended to aid in the evaluation of legislation that would create a new or alter an existing tax expenditure. State law defines a tax expenditure as a “tax provision that provides a gross or taxable income definition, deduction, exemption, credit, or rate...
Focus Colorado presents forecasts for the economy and state government revenue through FY 2019-20. 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,...
This memorandum provides information on state government enterprises under Article X, Section 20 of the Colorado Constitution, also known as the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR). From FY 1993-94 through FY 2017-18, 22 state government entities had received enterprise status for at least one...
This issue brief provides an overview of state laws related to 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, and...
This memorandum presents the 2019 Legislative Council Staff forecast for the state public institutions of higher education. The forecast provides projections of resident and nonresident full-time equivalent (FTE) student enrollment and College Opportunity Fund (COF) FTE enrollment for the...
Refund Mechanisms Used for TABOR Surpluses, Tax Years 1997 through 2015. No refunds were required for unlisted years, including 1993 through 1996, 2016, and 2017.
This memorandum provides background information on current and past statutory mechanisms used to refund state revenue in excess of the spending limit contained in the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights (TABOR). TABOR allows the state to use "any reasonable method" for refunds.
Focus Colorado presents forecasts for the economy and state government revenue through FY 2019-20. 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,...
Each year, the General Assembly is tasked with balancing constitutional, statutory, and federal requirements with other legislative considerations, such as competing policy priorities, caseload pressures, and the health of the state’s economy, in order to create a budget. The Colorado...
Colorado receives annual payments from tobacco manufacturers as part of the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement (MSA). In April 2018, the state received $177.3 million, including a one‑time payment of $113.3 million pursuant to the Nonparticipating Manufacturers Adjustment Settlement Agreement...
During the 2018 legislative session, the General Assembly considered measures related to public school funding in Colorado. Specifically, the legislature considered bills pertaining to kindergarten through twelfth grade (K-12) school funding, tax credits and deductions, grant programs, school...
The purpose of the CDC final report is to provide annual and historical information on the capital development process. The 2018 final report provides a complete summary of all capital construction and controlled maintenance appropriations during the 2018 session. A five-year history and three-...
This memorandum provides an overview of the Colorado Public Employees’ Retirement Association (PERA) and the changes made to PERA by Senate Bill 18‑200.
Legislative Council Staff economic outlook presentation to the Joint Budget Committee.
The purpose of the Joint Technology Committee (JTC) final report is to provide annual and historical information on the information technology (IT) capital budget request process. The 2018 final report provides a complete summary of all IT capital construction appropriations during the 2018...
Focus Colorado presents forecasts for the economy and state government revenue through FY 2020-21. 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,...
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...
The Colorado Constitution limits the amount of revenue, from most sources, that the state government and local governments are permitted to retain and spend or save. This memorandum presents information on this constitutional requirement and its administration at the state level.
Summary Report for the Alternatives to the Gallagher Amendment Interim Study Committee to the Legislative Council...
This report contains the final audited figures for state revenue retained under Referendum C in the 2005‑06 through 2016‑17 state fiscal years and preliminary numbers for the 2017‑18 and 2018‑19 state fiscal years. It also reflects the actions of the General Assembly and Governor in spending...
Senate Bill 18-001, enacted during the 2018 legislative session, is a significant piece of transportation funding legislation. SB 18‑001 commits state General Fund revenue for transportation projects and establishes financial mechanisms to address the passage or failure of transportation‑...
Economic Outlook for the U.S. and Colorado
The ongoing expansion in the U.S. economy is fueld by consumer contributions.
Focus Colorado presents forecasts for the economy and state government revenue through FY 2020-21. 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,...