First Regular Session | 74th General Assembly
Colorado General AssemblyColorado'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...
Three state taxes apply to marijuana, but medical and retail marijuana are taxed differently. Both medical and retail marijuana are subject to the 2.9 percent state sales tax, which is applied to most purchases in the state. Additionally, retail marijuana is subject to a 10 percent sales tax,...
Colorado has a complex framework of laws regulating the manufacture, distribution, sale, and consumption of alcohol in the state. This issue brief outlines Colorado liquor laws; the regulatory structure; government revenue streams; and the role of state and local governments in licensing and...
This issue brief discusses the various offenses related to driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol in Colorado, and their associated criminal and administrative penalties.
This issue brief provides an overview of marijuana tax revenue. Three state taxes apply to marijuana, with medical and retail marijuana taxed differently. Both medical and retail marijuana are subject to the existing 2.9 percent state sales tax, which is applied to most purchases in the state....
This issue brief describes major topics of interest related to immigration, and specifically regarding the enforcement of immigration laws and laws regarding the verification of a person's eligilibity to work in the United States. The brief also describes legislative efforts in Colorado...
This document provides a summary of major marijuana legislation considered by the General Assembly during the 2014 legislative session.
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.
The Colorado legislature considered several important bills related to labor and employment, consumer protection, licensing and professional occupations, liquor law, procurement, and telecommunications and technology during the second session of the 69th General Assembly. This document...
The General Assembly considered several bills related to economic development during the 2014 session. Bills relating to workforce development, a statewide brand marketing plan, and a study of Colorado's employee talent base were all postponed indefinitely. A bill creating an app for Colorado...
Table 1 shows the availability of the historic property preservation income tax credit and the cleanroom machinery sales and use tax exemption, each of which is available only when the Legislative Council Staff forecast indicates that General Fund revenue will be sufficient to allow General Fund...
Tiny houses are increasing in popularity as a housing option across the country. This issue brief provides a general overview of the various legal obstacles sometimes faced by individuals who want to own and live in a tiny house in Colorado. It also provides several examples of local and state...
Senate Bill 16-197, signed into law on June 10, 2016, makes significant changes to laws regulating the retail sale of fermented malt beverages (3.2 percent alcohol by weight beer, commonly known as 3.2 beer), full-strength beer, wine, and spirits for off-premises consumption. This issue brief...
In FY 2020-21, Colorado received $314.5 million from tobacco-related sources. These include taxes on cigarettes, other tobacco products, and nicotine products and payments from tobacco manufacturers as part of the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement. This memorandum describes the sources and...
The regulation of marijuana, both retail and medical, has been the subject of a great deal of public policy debate in recent years at all levels of government. This issue brief examines an overview of retail marijuana regulation in Colorado and summarizes three measures enacted by the General...
The purchase of goods and services by public entities in Colorado is generally governed by the state procurement code. This code is designed to ensure the fair treatment of people seeking to do business with the state, to foster broad-based competition through a bidding process, and to save...
Colorado’s Enterprise Zone Program was created by the General Assembly in 1986. The program provides state income tax credits to business and individuals for investing in economically distressed areas of the state in an effort to encourage economic development. This issue brief describes the...
Unemployment insurance (UI) provides temporary, partial wage replacement to workers who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own. The state program is administered by the Division of Employment and Training within the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE). This issue brief...
Urban renewal provides a set of tools available to local governments to combat slum and blight conditions. This issue brief highlights urban renewal laws and financing in Colorado.
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...
Colorado voters legalized the use of medical marijuana in 2000 and retail marijuana in 2012 through amendments to the Colorado Constitution. This issue brief provides an overview of current state law and regulations pertaining to medical and retail marijuana, and discusses the role of local...
Presented to the Joint State, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee at its December 16, 2016, meeting.
Presented to the Joint State, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee at is December 16, 2016, meeting.
Presented to the Joint State, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee at its December 16, 2016, meeting.
Presented to the State, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee at its December 16, 2016, meeting.