In 2000, voters approved Amendment 20, allowing the possession and use of medical marijuana in Colorado. In 2012, voters approved Amendment 64, legalizing marijuana for use by adults aged 21 and older. Sales of retail marijuana for adult use began on January 1, 2014.

This memorandum provides an overview of K-12 funding within the context of the state's operating budget. In December 2013, about $1.1 billion was transferred from the General Fund to the State Education Fund (SEF). The General Assembly has used some of this one-time money to set funding levels...

School Finance Funding Comparison With Both HB 14-1292 and HB 14-1298

FY 2014-15 vs FY 2013-14

In 1992, voters approved a Colorado Constitutional Amendment -- Article X, Section 20, known as the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights (TABOR). TABOR limits annual growth in state spending.

The 2014 general election includes races for several state and federal offices. This issue brief provides an overview of key dates for the 2014 primary and general elections and highlights other information on voter registration, mail ballots, and voting procedures after various changes to...

Telecommunications regulation has been an active issue in the Colorado state legislature for several years. In 2014, five bills passed that changed telecommunications regulation, subsidies, and infrastructure in Colorado. These bills deregulate a number of telecommunications products, specify...

On May 14, 2013, Governor Hickenlooper issued an executive order directing the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) to develop the Colorado Water Plan (CWP). According to executive order D 2013-005, the CWP must promote a productive economy that supports vibrant and sustainable cities;...

Gun control is a much studied and debated topic. Proponents of gun control argue that the availability of firearms is directly linked to gun deaths and injury, especially in situations of domestic violence. Opponents counter that crime victims who defend themselves with guns are less likely to...

Remedial education refers to academic courses in higher education intended to improve the basic skills of new or returning college students, so that they are adequately prepared for college-level work. These basic skills courses are typically non-credit courses. This issue brief discusses how...

State law defines "achievement gap" as the difference in academic achievement attained by student groups on the statewide assessments and "growth gap" as the differences among student groups in the rates of academic growth.1 Achievement gaps are observable between racial or ethnic groups of...

Data breaches are becoming increasingly common and bring uncertainty for private citizens. According to the Federal Trade Commission, identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in the United States. Data breaches impose significant costs on both individuals whose personal identifying...

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...