Staff Publications 2023 Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement Payment Forecast Colorado receives annual payments from tobacco manufacturers as part of the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement (MSA). In April 2022, the state received $88.2 million, which was used to determine distributions to MSA-funded programs for the current FY 2022-23. This document presents a forecast for annual receipts from the Tobacco MSA through FY 2024-25. The state is expected to receive $92.3 million in 2023; the actual amount received in 2023 will determine disbursements to MSA‑funded programs in FY 2023-24. Payments are expected to be $89.8 million in 2024 and Release date: 2023-03-03 Publishing Agency: Subjects: Liquor, Tobacco, & Marijuana State Revenue & Budget Download File
Staff Publications 2023 Colorado Water Handbook The Legislative Council Staff’s Water Policy Handbook is intended to serve as a reference guide to Colorado's water policies and programs. The book is divided into three parts. Each part covers a different aspect of Colorado water law and policy. Release date: 2023-03-01 Publishing Agency: Subjects: Agriculture Natural Resources & Environment Water Download File
Tax Expenditure Evaluation Wildfire Mitigation Deduction Report No. 2023-TE4 Release date: 2023-02-28 Publishing Agency: Office of the State Auditor Subjects: Fiscal Policy & Taxes Natural Resources & Environment Download File
Tax Expenditure Evaluation Structural Insurance Premium Tax Expenditures Report No. 2023-TE5 Release date: 2023-02-28 Publishing Agency: Office of the State Auditor Subjects: Fiscal Policy & Taxes Insurance Download File
Tax Expenditure Evaluation Long-Term Lodging Exemption Report No. 2023-TE3 Release date: 2023-02-28 Publishing Agency: Office of the State Auditor Subjects: Fiscal Policy & Taxes Housing Download File
Issue Briefs Colorado Paid Family and Medical Leave (23-06) In November 2020, Colorado voters approved Proposition 118, known as the Paid Family and Medical Leave Act (act). The act created the Division of Family and Medical Leave Insurance (division) within Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) to administer the program, which is known as FAMLI. Release date: 2023-02-28 Publishing Agency: Subjects: Health Care & Health Insurance Labor & Employment Local Government Download File
Issue Briefs Colorado's Instream Flow Program 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. Release date: 2023-02-27 Publishing Agency: Subjects: Natural Resources & Environment Water Download File
Staff Publications Legislative Council Handbook Colorado statute establishes the Legislative Council as a body of 18 Senators and Representatives with specific functions and responsibilities (Section 2-3-301, et seq., C.R.S.). Six senators are appointed, with the President of the Senate appointing the majority party members and the Minority Leader appointing the minority party members, all of whom must be approved by a majority of the Senate. Release date: 2023-02-24 Publishing Agency: Subjects: General Assembly State Government Download File
Budget Related Publications CY 2023 for FY 2022-23 Supplemental Narrative The Supplemental Narrative is prepared by the staff to explain proposed adjustments to prior year appropriations recommended by the JBC to the rest of the General Assembly. This narrative describes all of the proposed budget changes statewide, by department, and by program, and provides detailed calculations of the spending and revenue limits. This explanation does not reflect any subsequent changes to the Supplemental Bills as they are amended by the Senate or House of Representatives. Release date: 2023-02-06 Publishing Agency: Joint Budget Committee Staff Subjects: State Revenue & Budget Download File
Staff Publications Overview of Colorado Workforce Development Programs This memorandum provides a summary of various workforce development programs in Colorado. Release date: 2023-02-03 Publishing Agency: Subjects: Business & Economic Development Labor & Employment Download File
Budget Related Publications State Education Fund Report (2023) 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 (CDE), the Office of State Planning and Budgeting, and the Joint Budget Committee (JBC), 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. Release date: 2023-02-02 Publishing Agency: Subjects: Education & School Finance (Pre & K-12) State Revenue & Budget Download File
Staff Publications 2023 Revisor's Changes (Gray Book) View Google Doc Release date: 2023-01-29 Publishing Agency: Office of Legislative Legal Services Subjects:
Staff Publications Colorado Motor Vehicle Law Resource Book The Colorado Motor Vehicle Resource Book is intended to serve as a reference guide for information on the state's motor vehicle laws. Motor Vehicle Law Resource Book Release date: 2023-01-26 Publishing Agency: Subjects: Insurance Transportation & Motor Vehicles
Staff Publications Broadband Internet Service Programs in Colorado This memorandum provides an overview of broadband internet service programs in Colorado, including the Colorado High Cost Support Mechanism; state programs; the ability of local governments to provide broadband; and related recent legislation. Release date: 2023-01-26 Publishing Agency: Subjects: Telecommunications & Information Technology Download File
Staff Publications Procedures for Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reports for the 2023 and Future Legislative Sessions This memorandum memorializes the process for requesting and preparing greenhouse gas emissions reports (GHG reports) pursuant to Section 2-2-322.3, C.R.S., starting at the 2023 legislative session. It outlines the number of reports per session, the process for requesting reports, the preparation and timing of reports, and the preparation of revised and final reports. Release date: 2023-01-17 Publishing Agency: Subjects: General Assembly Natural Resources & Environment Download File
Staff Publications Demographic Notes Overview Pursuant to House Bill 19-1184, Legislative Council Staff will prepare demographic notes for up to 20 bills each session. This memorandum provides an overview of the demographic note process, including the process for requesting a demographic note, the content of a demographic note, and methodological considerations. Release date: 2023-01-17 Publishing Agency: Subjects: State Revenue & Budget Download File
Tax Expenditure Evaluation Home Modification Tax Credit Report No. 2023-TE1 Release date: 2023-01-11 Publishing Agency: Office of the State Auditor Subjects: Fiscal Policy & Taxes Health Care & Health Insurance Housing Download File
Tax Expenditure Evaluation Military Retirement Benefits Deduction Report No. 2023-TE2 Release date: 2023-01-11 Publishing Agency: Office of the State Auditor Subjects: Fiscal Policy & Taxes Military & Veterans Download File
Staff Publications Overview of Colorado Economic Development Programs and Incentives This memorandum provides an overview of programs that are designed to provide a boost to Colorado's economy, including incentivizing businesses to locate in Colorado, expand their Colorado-based workforce, or otherwise grow their Colorado business operations. This memorandum does not include programs that are focused on workforce development or programs designed to attract tourists to the state. Release date: 2023-01-10 Publishing Agency: Subjects: Business & Economic Development Labor & Employment Download File
Issue Briefs Distribution of State Higher Education Funding The General Assembly distributes state operating funding to public institutions of higher education (IHEs) in Colorado primarily based on a formula. This issue brief provides an overview of the formula and mechanisms for distributing state funds from the General Assembly to public IHEs in Colorado. IHEs also receive revenue from tuition and fees and state grants for capital construction projects, allocations for student financial aid, and funding to implement specific legislative initiatives. Release date: 2023-01-10 Publishing Agency: Subjects: Higher Education Download File
Issue Briefs State Law Regarding Homeowners' Associations (23-03) This issue brief provides an overview of the CCIOA provisions that regulate HOAs. Release date: 2023-01-10 Publishing Agency: Subjects: Housing Download File
Session Related Publications SMART Act Hearings Overview Memorandum This memorandum provides an overview of the "State Measurement for Accountable, Responsive, and Transparent Government Act" (SMART Government Act). The act requires executive agencies to annually present specific information to joint legislative committees during the first two weeks of the legislative session. This memorandum summarizes the information that state agencies are required to submit to committees in advance of the hearings and the requirements of the hearings. Release date: 2023-01-10 Publishing Agency: Subjects: State Government Download File
Issue Briefs Vehicle Towing and Booting (23-01) This issue brief provides an overview of Colorado laws and regulations related to motor vehicle towing and immobilization with the use of boots. Release date: 2023-01-09 Publishing Agency: Subjects: Transportation & Motor Vehicles Download File
Staff Publications 2022 Colorado Liquor Licensing Handbook This handbook is designed to be a reference guide for legislators and the public on the topic of Colorado laws related to liquor licensing. It covers the three-tier regulatory structure; license and permit types; general licensing requirements; enforcement; taxes and fees; and recent legislation. Release date: 2023-01-06 Publishing Agency: Subjects: Liquor, Tobacco, & Marijuana Download File
Staff Publications Vacancies in Elected Offices This memorandum provides an overview of the process to fill vacancies in various elected offices at the federal, state, and local levels. A vacancy in an elected office occurs when an office holder resigns or dies during his or her elected term. A vacancy may also occur when an elected official moves outside of the district he or she represents. Vacancies in federal, state, and local elected offices in Colorado are filled in a variety of ways, including appointments, vacancy elections, and political party vacancy committees. Release date: 2023-01-04 Publishing Agency: Subjects: Elections & Redistricting General Assembly Local Government State Government Download File