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...

This issue brief provides an overview of the CCIOA provisions that regulate HOAs.

This issue brief provides an overview of minors’ rights to deny others access to medical records under the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and Colorado state law.  It also discusses state law pertaining to the ability of minors to consent to...

Information technology (IT) is used by every state agency to make operations more efficient and services more widely available to the citizens of Colorado.  Along with other day-to-day expenses of state government, expenses related to IT are paid through the capital construction and operating...

The Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC), Colorado’s newest state department, began operations in July 2022 to provide a range of programs and services that support young children, families, and the professionals that serve them.  This issue brief provides an overview of the...

Geothermal energy refers to heat that is found within the Earth.  This heat can be used in a number of ways through geothermal energy systems.  First, it can be used to directly heat buildings, where hot water near the earth’s surface is piped into buildings.  Second, it can be used indirectly...

An estimated 3.3 million people in Colorado are affected by drought, with 2022 being the driest year to date over the past 128 years.  In response to the ongoing drought in Colorado, the General Assembly passed HB 22-1151 to promote the efficient and maximum utilization of Colorado’s...

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

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

Respite care provides temporary relief to a caregiver from the physical and emotional impacts of caring for a person with special needs who requires assistance to care for themselves.  Care can be provided for a few hours, overnight, or on an extended basis by a friend, family member, volunteer...

This issue brief provides information about how to register a number on the Colorado and federal no‑call lists; an overview of Colorado's regulation and enforcement of telemarketers; an explanation of which calls are not subject to telemarketing laws; and a summary of federal provisions...