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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, legislation passed by the General Assembly affecting the forecast is described throughout the report.

Understanding the State Budget: The Big Picture

Each year, the General Assembly is tasked with balancing constitutional, statutory, and federal requirements with a host of other considerations, such as competing policy priorities, caseload pressures, and the health of the state’s economy, in order to create a budget.  This report is intended to serve as a primer on Colorado’s budget and some of the factors that help shape it.

Summary Report for the Alternatives to the Gallagher Amendment Interim Study Committee to the Legislative Council.  The committee was created pursuant to Interim Committee Request Letter 2018-02. The committee is charged with studying the following:

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, legislation passed by the General Assembly affecting the forecast is described throughout the report.

The General Assembly considered bills that modified the responsibilities of the Colorado Department of Revenue (DOR), clarified taxing requirements, and made changes to the tax remittance process. 

The General Assembly considered several bills concerning budgeting and the state budget during the 2018 legislative session.

During the 2018 legislative session, the General Assembly considered a number of bills affecting funding for capital construction and the duties of the Capital Development Committee (CDC).

In lieu of issuing bonds, or using another form of long-term debt, the state often uses a form of lease-purchase agreement called certificates of participation (COPs) to finance the construction of its new facilities. A certificate refers to an investor's proportionate interest in the state's lease payments. COPs give the state the flexibility to build capital facilities even when funds are not available to pay for projects on a pay-as-you-go basis.

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, a supplementary legal agreement that Colorado signed this year.  This memorandum presents the anticipated effects of the new settlement on future payments. The state is expected to receive $86.0 million in 2019 and $85.7 million in 2020.

FY 2018-19 Appropriations Report

In 2018, the General Assembly considered bills regulating simulated gaming devices and slot machines, as well as funding for communities affected by gaming.

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, legislation passed by the General Assembly affecting the forecast is described throughout the report.

The Colorado General Assembly considered a number of bills during the 2017 legislative session regarding the administration of taxes, and state taxes and tax programs.

During the 2017 legislative session, the General Assembly considered several bills related to state revenue, the state budget, or fees, including several involving cash funds.

This memorandum addresses questions around recent announcements and consideration of changes to the state employee payroll schedule.  Legislative Council Staff has received inquiries regarding the timing and amount of state employee payroll during the months of July and August 2018 as a result of a March 8, 2018 email from the Department of Personnel and Administration (DPA) to Executive Branch employees.  The email announces a transition in July 2018 from monthly to biweekly lag pay.

This memorandum summarizes the capital construction, controlled maintenance, and capital information technology (IT) project recommendations made by the Capital Development Committee and the Joint Technology Committee for FY 2018-19. It also describes the Joint Budget Committee action with regard to these recommendations. Finally, it details the capital projects and associated costs included in House Bill 18-1322, the 2018 Long Bill, as introduced. HB 18-1322 includes appropriations for 53 capital projects totaling $368.5 million.

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 introduced version of the Long Bill.

Economic Outlook for the U.S. and Colorado

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

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, legislation passed by the General Assembly affecting the forecast is described throughout the report.

    Pursuant to Section 22-55-104 C.R.S., Legislative Council Staff, in consultation with the State Auditor, the State Treasurer, the Department of Education, the Office of State Planning and Budgeting, and the Joint Budget Committee, is required to conduct a review of the model used to forecast revenue to and expenditures from the State Education Fund and the spending requirements for the Public School Finance Act of 1994 by February 1 of each year.