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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.

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The forecast for the State Education Fund and the level of General Fund appropriations needed to pay for school finance has changed from when the General Assembly adjourned in May 2015. Property values grew rapidly in 2015, and are expected to continue to grow over the next few years, helping to boost the local contribution to school finance. In contrast, expectations for income taxes have fallen, decreasing projected deposits into the State Education Fund and the General Fund.

Colorado receives annual payments from tobacco manufacturers as part of the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement.  In April 2015, the state received $88.1 million.  This memorandum presents the distribution of the received payment from 2015 and forecasts payments and distributions through FY 2017-18.  Most of this money will be used to fund health care programs across the state.

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.

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This memorandum provides an overview of how changes in tax and fee revenue impact Colorado’s state budget. Pursuant to the Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR) Amendment, the State of Colorado is limited in the amount of revenue from taxes and fees that it can retain and spend. The TABOR Amendment requires voter approval for tax increases, while fees can be changed by the state legislature without voter approval.

Senate Bill 15-267 amends the Public School Finance Act of 1994 to provide funding for school districts in FY 2015-16. The bill was signed by the Governor on June 5, 2015, and became effective on that date. Senate Bill 15-234, the "Long Bill," appropriates most of the state aid distributed to school districts. The following summarizes the primary funding changes contained in these bills.

Focus Colorado presents forecasts for the economy and state government revenue through FY 2016-17. 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.

Focus Colorado presents forecasts for the economy and state government revenue through FY 2016-17. 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.

Overview of the State Education Fund and K-12 Public School Funding

Joint Education Committee

The forecast for the State Education Fund and the level of General Fund appropriations needed to pay for school finance have changed from when the General Assembly adjourned in May 2014. Property values are expected to grow more rapidly over the next few years, helping to boost the local contribution to school finance. Similarly, income tax receipts continue to grow, increasing deposits into the State Education Fund and the General Fund.

This memorandum provides an overview of K-12 funding within the context of the state's operating budget. In December 2013, about $1.1 billion was transferred from the General Fund to the State Education Fund (SEF). The General Assembly has used some of this one-time money to set funding levels for the 2014-15 budget year, but will have to determine how to use this money for school finance and other K-12 purposes in subsequent years.

The FY 2013-14 General Fund surplus is estimated at $235.8 million.1 State law requires this surplus to be distributed in the amounts and order shown in Table 1.2 Additionally, the transfer to the Capital Construction Fund is allocated by state law in the order and amounts shown in Table 2.3 Up to 90 percent of the surplus will be distributed on September 15th, with the remainder distributed when the State Controller publishes the comprehensive annual financial report for FY 2013-14.

2013 Colorado Cost of Living Report - Expenditure Totals

The attached document provides a summary of major legislation considered by the General Assembly pertaining to taxes and fiscal policy.

In 1992, voters approved a Colorado Constitutional Amendment -- Article X, Section 20, known as the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights (TABOR). TABOR limits annual growth in state spending.