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....
Transportation Handbook (2022)
Colorado's transportation system consists of the state highway system, county and municipal roads, mass transit, airports, railroads, and bicycle and pedestrian routes. The system is primarily managed by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT). Cities, counties, transit authorities,...
Submission of Fiscal Impact Estimates for Citizen-Initiated Ballot Measures
This memorandum provides instructions and deadlines for interested parties to submit fiscal information for consideration by Legislative Council Staff, outlines the process for filing a motion for a rehearing before the Title Board if there are objections to the fiscal summary prepared by LCS,...
Summary of 2022 Elections Legislation
During the 2022 Legislative Session, several bills were introduced related to election administration and security, voter registration, initiatives and ballot measures, and campaign finance laws.
Process for Writing the Ballot Information Booklet
Article V, Section 1 (7.5), Colorado Constitution, and Section 1-40-124.5, Colorado Revised Statutes, require the Legislative Council Staff to prepare a ballot information booklet prior to each election in which a statewide issue appears on the ballot. The booklet's purpose is to provide voters...
Summary of 2022 Business and Economic Development Legislation
During the 2022 legislative session, the General Assembly passed numerous bills related to general business issues and economic development initiatives.
Summary of 2022 Local Government Legislation
During the 2022 legislative session the General Assembly considered legislation related to special districts, local government administration, boards and commissions, funding, and firefighting assistance.
Special District Elections
This memorandum provides information about special district elections in Colorado. Specifically, it provides an overview of special district elections and the times at which special district elections are conducted. Also included are an overview of special districts generally and a table of...
Irrigation Districts in Colorado
This memorandum provides information about irrigation districts in Colorado. Specifically, it discusses the current irrigation districts, the powers and duties of irrigation districts, and how those powers and duties compare to those of special districts.
Ranked Choice Voting
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...
Overview and History of Statewide Ballot Measures
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 2021; and links to additional resources at the offices of the Colorado Legislative Council Staff and the Colorado Secretary of State....
Summary of 2021 Elections and Redistricting Legislation
During the 2021 legislative session, the General Assembly considered several measures related to election administration, election audits, ballot access, candidates and campaigns, and redistricting.
Constitutional and Statutory Changes Affecting the Ballot Information Booklet and Required Publication of Text and Titles in Newspapers
This memorandum provides an overview of constitutional and statutory changes affecting the ballot information booklet ("Blue Book"), newspaper publication of ballot titles and texts, and related statewide initiative policy since 1994.
Colorado Fireworks Law (21-06)
This issue brief examines Colorado fireworks law, including permissible fireworks, sales, local government regulations, penalties for violating state laws, and executive orders.
Summary of 2021 Local Government Legislation
During the 2021 legislative session, the General Assembly considered several measures related to local governments, including the powers and duties of local governments and matters related to special and local improvement districts, community revitalization, procurement, the limited gaming...
Process for Writing the Ballot Information Booklet
Article V, Section 1 (7.5), Colorado Constitution, and Section 1-40-124.5, Colorado Revised Statutes, require the Legislative Council Staff to prepare a ballot information booklet prior to each election in which a statewide issue appears on the ballot. The booklet's purpose is to provide voters...
Family, Medical, and Sick Leave Laws (21-02)
This issue brief provides an overview of federal and state family, medical, and sick leave laws.
Summary of Business and Economic Development Legislation (2020)
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.
Summary of Elections and Redistricting Legislation (2020)
During the 2020 legislative session, the General Assembly considered a number of measures related to elections, including bills addressing ballot access by candidates, ballot measures, local elections, and voting. Several redistricting bills were also considered in anticipation of the 2021...
Local Government Affordable Housing Strategies
This issue brief focuses on additional strategies that local governments and communities in Colorado are using to meet the housing needs of residents.
Energy Handbook (2020)
The Legislative Council Staff's Energy Handbook is intended to serve as a reference guide to Colorado's energy sector. The book is divided into five sections. Section I covers the sources and uses of energy in Colorado. Section II explains how severance taxes and federal mineral lease moneys...
2020 Folleto Informativo (Blue Book en Español)
Este cuadernillo proporciona información sobre las trece medidas de la balota del 11 de noviembre de 2020 para todo el estado y sobre los jueces que están en la balota y se presentan para retención en su área.
2020 Blue Book (English)
This booklet provides information on the eleven statewide measures on the November 3, 2020, ballot and on the judges who are on the ballot for retention in your area.