The TABOR Revenue Limit
The Colorado Constitution limits the amount of revenue, from most sources, that the state government and local governments are permitted to retain and spend or save. Revenue collected in excess of the constitutional revenue limit, or TABOR limit, must be refunded to taxpayers unless voters...
Forecast December 2018
Focus Colorado presents forecasts for the economy and state government revenue through FY 2020-21. 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,...
2018 Joint Technology Committee Final Report
The purpose of the Joint Technology Committee (JTC) final report is to provide annual and historical information on the information technology (IT) capital budget request process. The 2018 final report provides a complete summary of all IT capital construction appropriations during the 2018...
2018 Capital Development Committee Final Report
The purpose of the CDC final report is to provide annual and historical information on the capital development process. The 2018 final report provides a complete summary of all capital construction and controlled maintenance appropriations during the 2018 session. A five-year history and three-...
Summary of School Finance Legislation (2019)
During the 2018 legislative session, the General Assembly considered measures related to public school funding in Colorado. Specifically, the legislature considered bills pertaining to kindergarten through twelfth grade (K-12) school funding, tax credits and deductions, grant programs, school...
2019 Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement Payment Forecast
Colorado receives annual payments from tobacco manufacturers as part of the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement (MSA). In April 2018, the state received $177.3 million, including a one‑time payment of $113.3 million pursuant to the Nonparticipating Manufacturers Adjustment Settlement Agreement...
CY 2019 for FY 2018-19 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...
Fiscal Strategies for Budget Shortfalls
Each year, the General Assembly is tasked with balancing constitutional, statutory, and federal requirements with other legislative considerations, such as competing policy priorities, caseload pressures, and the health of the state’s economy, in order to create a budget. The Colorado...
Family, Medical, and Sick Leave Laws (21-02)
This issue brief provides an overview of federal and state family, medical, and sick leave laws.
Forecast March 2019
Focus Colorado presents forecasts for the economy and state government revenue through FY 2019-20. 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,...
FY 2019-20 Budget Package and Long Bill Narrative
The Long Bill Narrative, which is the annual appropriations act, is prepared by staff to explain funding decisions recommended by the JBC to the rest of the General Assembly. This document is a companion document to the actual Long Bill. The narrative outlines budget changes based on the...
History of TABOR Refund Mechanisms
This memorandum provides background information on current and past statutory mechanisms used to refund state revenue in excess of the spending limit contained in the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights (TABOR). TABOR allows the state to use "any reasonable method" for refunds.
Refund Mechanisms Used for Prior TABOR Surpluses
Refund Mechanisms Used for TABOR Surpluses, Tax Years 1997 through 2019. No refunds were required for unlisted years, including 1993 through 1996 and 2020.
Impact of Final Residential Assessment Rate on Local Share
State Government Enterprises
This memorandum provides information on state government enterprises under Article X, Section 20 of the Colorado Constitution, also known as the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR). From FY 1993-94 through FY 2017-18, 22 state government entities had received enterprise status for at least one...
Forecast June 2019
Focus Colorado presents forecasts for the economy and state government revenue through FY 2019-20. 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,...
Budget in Brief Fiscal Year 2019-20
The Budget in Brief is a condensed summary of the final action of the General Assembly and the Governor on the budget and other legislation passed during the previous legislative session that contained an appropriation of moneys.
Appropriations Report Fiscal Year 2019-20
The Appropriations Report summarizes the final action of the General Assembly and the Governor on the budget and other legislation passed during the previous legislative session that contained an appropriation of moneys.
Summary of Local Government Legislation (2019)
Laws passed during the 2019 session related to local government addressed a number of topics. This summary provides an overview of legislation concerning safety, county operations, special districts, property rights, business owners, and emergency service providers.
2019 Appropriations History
Forecast September 2019
Focus Colorado presents forecasts for the economy and state government revenue through FY 2019-20. 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,...
Road Usage Charge Programs (19-14)
Transportation infrastructure in the United States is primarily funded through motor fuel (gas) taxes. Facing declining future revenues and increased construction costs, some states have begun to experiment with a new way of funding transportation: the road usage charge. This issue brief...
Regional Accountable Entities (19-20)
This issue brief provides an overview of Regional Accountable Entities, organizations responsible for coordinating the physical and behavioral health care of the state’s Medicaid members.
Forecast December 2019
Focus Colorado presents forecasts for the economy and state government revenue through FY 2019-20. 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,...