Autonomous Vehicles (17-15)
In October 2016, while Coloradans were sleeping, a self-driving semi‑trailer drove 51,744 cans of Budweiser beer from Fort Collins to Colorado Springs down Interstate 25. With the rise of investment in and the use of autonomous vehicles, governments face new challenges to address this growing...
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,...
Bicycle Transportation in Colorado (19-02)
This issue brief outlines state regulations for bicycle transportation. It details general safety regulations, the regulations for riding an electric bicycle, and regulations regarding safety stops.
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...
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.
Tax Expenditures Compilation Report, September 2018
Report No. 2018-TE
Insurance Premium Tax Expenditures
Report No. 2019-TE3
Note: A more recent evaluation was issued in January 2023. Click HERE to access the January 2023 report.
On-Demand Aircraft Used Outside the State Sales Tax Exemption
Report No. 2019-TE6
Historic Property Preservation Tax Credit
Report No. 2019-TE7
Agricultural Lease Deduction
Report No. 2018-TE1
Crop Hail Insurance Premium Tax Exemption
Report No. 2018-TE2
Hunger Relief Income Tax Credit & Crop and Livestock Contribution Corporate Income Tax Credit
Report No. 2018-TE4
Occasional Sale of Liquor by Public Auction Exemption
Report No. 2018-TE6
Long-Term Lodging Exemption
Report No. 2018-TE8
Note: A more recent evaluation was issued in January 2023. Click HERE to access the January 2023 report.
Sales to Residents of Bordering States Exemption
Report No. 2018-TE11