Many Coloradans are likely familiar with a local invention known as the Denver Boot™,  the vehicle‑immobilizing device they may find on their vehicle as a result of a parking violation.  This issue brief provides an overview of Colorado laws and regulations related to motor vehicle towing and...

Colorado has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform its affordable housing system and make sure it works for Coloradans in every corner of the state. The $400 million in unallocated funding from the “American Rescue Plan Act of 2021” (ARPA) offers us a chance to make one-time...

This memorandum provides an overview of ranked-choice voting, or instant-runoff voting.  Ranked‑choice voting (RCV) is currently used in some nonpartisan elections in three Colorado municipalities, with an additional two municipalities using it in future elections.  House Bill 21-1071, passed in...

This memorandum provides an overview of the Colorado unemployment insurance (UI) program, including UI benefits, funding, and solvency in the context of recent economic downturns. 

This issue brief examines Colorado fireworks law, including permissible fireworks, sales, local government regulations, penalties for violating state laws, and executive orders.

During the 2021 legislative session, the General Assembly focused on continued impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic, landlord-tenant relations, and affordable housing. 

This issue brief provides a summary of the federal legislation that was passed in response to the COVID‑19, or coronavirus, public health emergency.

While lease agreements are the primary legal contract between landlords and tenants, there are state and local laws regulating lease agreements, and state and federal agencies enforcing fair housing laws. This issue brief discusses the legal framework and lists further resources for...

This memo provides an overview of data on income inequality in Colorado and the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic by income and other demographic characteristics.  This memo uses new sources of publicly available high-frequency data from the U.S. Census Bureau and private companies to...

This issue brief provides an overview of federal and state family, medical, and sick leave laws.

During the 2020 legislative session, the General Assembly passed legislation intended to promote economic development in rural areas and to assist businesses in surviving and recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Economic Development Commission (EDC) works jointly with the Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) to promote economic development in the state.  This issue brief discusses the work of the EDC.