A homeowner association (HOA) must obtain insurance to cover common elements such as physical property and liability. Unit owners within an HOA also purchase insurance to cover the homeowners’ private property, parts of the unit not covered by the HOA’s policy, and liability. This issue brief...

The harmful effects of secondhand smoke and emissions from tobacco, marijuana, and electronic smoking devices continue to be an issue in Colorado. Since 1992, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has classified secondhand tobacco smoke as a known cause of cancer.

Health insurance is a method of paying or receiving reimbursement for health care costs from covered services. Health insurance companies spread the costs and risk of covered health care services across all members of a plan in exchange for premiums and other cost-sharing mechanisms, such as...

This issue brief provides an overview of public sector use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), commonly known as drones, including federal and state regulations, and current applications in Colorado.

This issue brief provides an overview of state law regarding bicycles, electric bicycles, and electric scooters, as well as state and local electric bicycle rebate programs.

Colorado currently administers ten Home- and Community-Based Services Medicaid (HCBS) Waivers. This issue brief discusses the four waivers available to children.

Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that provides health benefits and services to Coloradans who meet eligibility requirements. Each state administers its own Medicaid program, and the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) set standards for the program to receive...

Colorado’s population reached nearly 5.8 million according to the 2020 census, a 14.8 percent increase from 2010. For those joining the influx of new people moving to the Centennial State, this issue brief outlines best practices for establishing residency, applying for state...

Under the Colorado Governmental Immunity Act (CGIA), public entities and employees are generally immune from liability in all claims except those specifically provided for in state law. In 2020, national and local public demonstrations against excessive use of force by law enforcement prompted...

Crime victim support services and programs have been funded by federal and state governments since the 1980s. In recent years, the revenue stream for these services has decreased significantly. This issue brief provides background on victim compensation and victim assistance funding and...

The instream flow (ISF) program was created by legislation in 1973, which authorized the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) to appropriate or acquire water rights of natural streams and lakes to preserve the natural environment without diverting the water.  The ISF program recognized the...