Marijuana TABOR Refund (2015)
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...
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,...
Unmanned Aircraft System Regulation (2015)
This issue brief provides a brief overview of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), related federal and state regulations, and current uses and restrictions in Colorado.
Glossary of Legislative Terms (2015)
Glossary of Legislative Terms
Meeting Agenda - Committee on Legal Services - 20150306
Overview of the State Education Fund and K-12 Public School Funding (2015)
Overview of the State Education Fund and K-12 Public School Funding
Joint Education Committee
State Education Fund Report (2015)
The forecast for the State Education Fund and the level of General Fund appropriations needed to pay for school finance have changed from when the General Assembly adjourned in May 2014. Property values are expected to grow more rapidly over the next few years, helping to boost the local...
CY 2015 FY 2014-15 Supplemental Package Narrative
Meeting Agenda - Committee on Legal Services - 20150206
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...
Colorado Public School Accountability Handbook (2015)
The General Assembly is required by the Colorado Constitution to establish and maintain a thorough and uniform system of free public schools, where any person between the ages of 6 and 21 may be educated. At the same time, the constitution places control of public school instruction in locally...
Income Tax Checkoffs (2015)
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...
Higher Education Accreditation (2015)
Accreditation refers to an external review process used to analyze colleges, universities, and other educational programs for academic quality and accountability. For institutions and programs of higher education in the United States, accreditation is a voluntary process; however, it is also the...
FY 2015-16 Staff Budget Briefing Summary
Child Care Assistance and Regulation in Colorado (2015)
The quality and affordability of child care and early childhood education (ECE) are key concerns for parents and policymakers alike. Whether daycare, preschool, or another setting, child care and ECE allow parents to remain in the workforce and improve the school readiness of children. This...
Meeting Agenda - Committee on Legal Services - 20150109
Colorado Commission on Uniform State Laws Annual Report 2015
I. PREAMBLE
II. HISTORY OF THE UNIFORM LAW COMMISSION
III. THE OPERATION OF THE ULC
IV. ACTIVITIES OF THE COLORADO COMMISSIONERS
V. A SUMMARY OF NEW ACTS
VI. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ENACTMENT AND FOR OTHER ACTION
VII. ENACTMENT RECORD, TO DATE
The Us-36 Express Lanes Project (2014)
This issue brief reviews the US-36 Express Lane Project, which involves the widening and reconstruction of US-36 between Federal Boulevard in Denver and Table Mesa Drive in Boulder. In the 1950s, this section of the highway opened as a four-lane toll road as an alternative to driving through...
Oversize and Overweight Commercial Vehicles (2014)
State and federal regulations set standards for the size and weight of commercial vehicles operated on public highways. A commercial vehicle is any vehicle used for commerce or that has a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or more. For commercial vehicles that exceed the established...
2014 Transportation Legislation Review Committee Final Report
Pursuant to Section 43-2-145, Colorado Revised Statutes. The purpose of this committee is to give guidance and direction to the state Department of Transportation in the development of the state transportation system, and to provide legislative oversight of and input into such development.
2014 Wildfire Matters Review Committee Final Report
Pursuant to Senate Bill 13-082. The purpose of this committee is to review and propose legislation or other policy changes related to wildfire prevention, mitigation, and related matters, including public safety and forest health issues.
2014 Use of Marijuana Sales Tax Revenues Interim Study Committee Final Report
Pursuant to Interim Committee Letter 2014-6. The purpose of this committee is to evaluate and make recommendations regarding appropriate uses of sales tax revenue generated by recreational marijuana sales in Colorado.
2014 Early Childhood and School Readiness Legislative Commission Final Report
Pursuant to Section 26-6.5-203, Colorado Revised Statutes. The purpose of this commission is to study issues related to early childhood and school readiness in order to improve the state’s early childhood policies.