Colorado's Instream Flow Program (23-05)
The instream flow (ISF) program was created by legislation in 1973, which authorized the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) to appropriate or acquire water rights of natural streams and lakes to preserve the natural environment without diverting the water. The ISF program recognized the...
Legislative Council Handbook
Colorado statute establishes the Legislative Council as a body of 18 Senators and Representatives with specific functions and responsibilities (Section 2-3-301, et seq., C.R.S.). Six senators are appointed, with the President of the Senate appointing the majority party members and the...
Legislative Drafting Manual
This Legislative Drafting Manual is designed primarily for legislative drafters in the Colorado General Assembly's Office of Legislative Legal Services. The first edition of the Drafting Manual was prepared in 1977 by the Legislative Drafting Office. Subsequent editions have occurred over the...
CY 2023 for FY 2022-23 Supplemental Narrative
The Supplemental Narrative is prepared by the staff to explain proposed adjustments to prior year appropriations recommended by the JBC to the rest of the General Assembly. This narrative describes all of the proposed budget changes statewide, by department, and by program, and provides...
Overview of Colorado Workforce Development Programs
This memorandum provides a summary of various workforce development programs in Colorado.
State Education Fund Report (2023)
Pursuant to Section 22-55-104, C.R.S., Legislative Council Staff, in consultation with the State Auditor, the State Treasurer, the Department of Education (CDE), the Office of State Planning and Budgeting, and the Joint Budget Committee (JBC), is required to conduct a review of the model used to...
2023 Revisor's Changes (Gray Book)
Colorado Motor Vehicle Law Resource Book
The Colorado Motor Vehicle Resource Book is intended to serve as a reference guide for information on the state's motor vehicle laws.
Broadband Internet Service Programs in Colorado
This memorandum provides an overview of broadband internet service programs in Colorado, including the Colorado High Cost Support Mechanism; state programs; the ability of local governments to provide broadband; and related recent legislation.
Interstate Compacts, Decrees, Memoranda, and Treaties Governing Colorado’s Rivers
This memorandum provides information about the interstate compacts, Supreme Court decrees, and international treaties that govern Colorado’s use of interstate streams. Specifically, it gives a brief summary of the history of each of the compacts and outlines the specific components and...
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, in order to create a budget. This document is intended...
Procedures for Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reports for the 2023 and Future Legislative Sessions
This memorandum memorializes the process for requesting and preparing greenhouse gas emissions reports (GHG reports) pursuant to Section 2-2-322.3, C.R.S., starting at the 2023 legislative session. It outlines the number of reports per session, the process for requesting reports, the...
Demographic Notes Overview
Pursuant to House Bill 19-1184, Legislative Council Staff will prepare demographic notes for up to 20 bills each session. This memorandum provides an overview of the demographic note process, including the process for requesting a demographic note, the content of a demographic note, and...
Home Modification Tax Credit
Report No. 2023-TE1
Military Retirement Benefits Deduction
Report No. 2023-TE2
Overview of Colorado Economic Development Programs and Incentives
This memorandum provides an overview of programs that are designed to provide a boost to Colorado's economy, including incentivizing businesses to locate in Colorado, expand their Colorado-based workforce, or otherwise grow their Colorado business operations. This memorandum does not include...
Distribution of State Higher Education Funding (23-02)
The General Assembly distributes state operating funding to public institutions of higher education (IHEs) in Colorado primarily based on a formula. This issue brief provides an overview of the formula and mechanisms for distributing state funds from the General Assembly to public IHEs...
State Law Regarding Homeowners' Associations (23-03)
This issue brief provides an overview of the CCIOA provisions that regulate HOAs.
SMART Act Hearings Overview Memorandum
This memorandum provides an overview of the "State Measurement for Accountable, Responsive, and Transparent Government Act" (SMART Government Act). The act requires executive agencies to annually present specific information to joint legislative committees during the first two weeks of the...
Vehicle Towing and Booting (23-01)
This issue brief provides an overview of Colorado laws and regulations related to motor vehicle towing and immobilization with the use of boots.
2022 Colorado Liquor Licensing Handbook
This handbook is designed to be a reference guide for legislators and the public on the topic of Colorado laws related to liquor licensing. It covers the three-tier regulatory structure; license and permit types; general licensing requirements; enforcement; taxes and fees; and recent...
Vacancies in Elected Offices
This memorandum provides an overview of the process to fill vacancies in various elected offices at the federal, state, and local levels. A vacancy in an elected office occurs when an office holder resigns or dies during his or her elected term. A vacancy may also occur when an elected...
Overview and History of Statewide Ballot Measures in Colorado
This memorandum provides an overview of the statewide ballot measure process; a summary of the measures approved or rejected by Colorado voters between 1880 and 2022; and links to additional resources at the offices of the Colorado Legislative Council Staff and the Colorado Secretary of State....
Colorado Commission on Uniform State Laws Annual Report 2023
I. PREAMBLE
II. OVERVIEW OF UNIFORM LAW COMMISSION
III. HISTORY
IV. DIVERSITY STATEMENT
V. PROCEDURES
VI. ACTIVITIES OF THE COLORADO COMMISSIONERS
VII. A SUMMARY OF NEW ULC ACTS
VIII. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ENACTMENT AND FOR OTHER ACTION
IX. ENACTMENT...