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The federal and state governments each provide tax incentives for landowners who designate their land as a conservation easement, foregoing certain use rights in order to preserve the land in perpetuity. This memorandum provides information on federal and state conservation easement tax incentives.

In Colorado, sales taxes are imposed by the state government, counties, municipalities, and special districts.  Overlapping boundaries create 754 unique tax jurisdictions, many with different tax bases, rates, and administrators.  This issue brief summarizes information on how local government sales and use taxes are assessed and administered.

This document accompanied the Legislative Council Staff presentation of the June 2017 economic and revenue forecast.

Focus Colorado presents forecasts for the economy and state government revenue through FY 2018-19. 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, legislation passed by the General Assembly affecting the forecast is described throughout the report.

The final Residential Assessment Rate Study released by the Division of Property Taxation on April 17, 2017 estimates a residential assessment rate of 7.20 percent for 2017 and 2018.  The General Assembly must pass a bill before this rate becomes law.  Compared with the baseline forecast which was predicated on the December 2016 Legislative Council Staff assessed values forecast, the local share for school finance with a residential assessment rate of 7.20 percent will increase by between $48.7 million and $214.2 million in FY 2017-18.

This issue brief provides an overview of filing considerations for military service persons and tax breaks for military income.

Focus Colorado presents forecasts for the economy and state government revenue through FY 2018-19. 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, legislation passed by the General Assembly affecting the forecast is described throughout the report.

Economic Outlook for the U.S. and Colorado

The ongoing expansion in the U.S. economy is fueld by consumer contributions.

A video presentation about Colorado property taxes and the Gallagher Amendment.  It is anticipated that the residential assessment rate will be reduced for the first time in 14 years, impacting homeowners and the tax base of every local taxing jurisdiction in the state.

(10 minutes 49 seconds, 136 MB).

Where are we?

• 11.5% lower than the formula
• Local share falling or slowing
• State Education Fund close to depleted
• General Fund budget in cutting mode

How did we get here?

• Business cycle, demographic changes, and constitutional requirements

Where are we going?

• Slower revenue growth
• Greater pressure on expenditures

Colorado receives annual payments from tobacco manufacturers as part of the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement. In April 2016, the state received $92.3 million. This memorandum presents the distribution of the 2016 payment and forecasts payments through 2019.

Presented to the Joint Finance Committee at its January 5, 2017, meeting.

Presented to the Joint Finance Committee on January 5, 2017, meeting.

Presented to the Joint Finance Committee at its January 5, 2017, meeting.

Presented to the Select Committee on Energy and the Environment at its January 19, 2017, meeting.

CONSUMER PRICE INDEX - December 2016 Forecast

Focus Colorado presents forecasts for the economy and state government revenue through FY 2017-18. 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, legislation passed by the General Assembly affecting the forecast is described throughout the report.

Economic Outlook for the U.S. and Colorado

The ongoing expansion in the U.S. economy is fueld by consumer contributions.

Understanding the State Budget: The Big Picture

• Where do our taxes go?
• State Government Revenue
• General Fund Budget
• TABOR Revenue Limit

Table 1 shows the availability of the historic property preservation income tax credit and the cleanroom machinery sales and use tax exemption, each of which is available only when the Legislative Council Staff forecast indicates that General Fund revenue will be sufficient to allow General Fund appropriations to increase by at least 6 percent. Revenue failed to meet this requirement in FY 2015-16. The September 2016 forecast expects that revenue will fail to meet this requirement in FY 2016-17, FY 2017-18, and 2018-19.

Focus Colorado presents forecasts for the economy and state government revenue through FY 2018-19. 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, legislation passed by the General Assembly affecting the forecast is described throughout the report.

Economic Outlook for the U.S. and Colorado

The ongoing expansion in the U.S. economy is fueld by consumer contributions.

This issue brief provides an overview of marijuana tax revenue. Three state taxes apply to marijuana, with medical and retail marijuana taxed differently. Both medical and retail marijuana are subject to the existing 2.9 percent state sales tax, which is applied to most purchases in the state. Additionally, retail marijuana is subject to a 10 percent sales tax, levied on retail sales, and a 15 percent excise tax, levied on the first transfer of marijuana from a wholesaler to a processor or retailer.

Economic Outlook Mountain States Employers Council, June 29, 2016

Focus Colorado presents forecasts for the economy and state government revenue through FY 2017-18. 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, legislation passed by the General Assembly affecting the forecast is described throughout the report.