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Three bills that were enacted during the 2019 legislative session significantly affected the financing of public schools in Colorado:

Transportation infrastructure in the United States is primarily funded through motor fuel (gas) taxes. Facing declining future revenues and increased construction costs, some states have begun to experiment with a new way of funding transportation: the road usage charge.  This issue brief provides background information on road usage charges, along with information on road usage charge programs in Colorado and other states, and highlights trends and future policy considerations.

Reading competency is pivotal to the academic development of Colorado’s students.  State law targets the early elementary grades as the essential time and location for developing the reading skills necessary for successful academic achievement in later grades.  This issue brief provides an overview of the Colorado Reading to Ensure Academic Development (READ) Act, and discusses recent changes to state funding for READ Act implementation.

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.

Report No. 2019-TE27

Report No. 2019-TE28

Report No. 2019-TE29

Report No. 2019-TE

This memorandum provides background on 5G technology, an overview of the current regulations governing wireless service facilities and radio frequency (RF) transmissions, and the current scientific evidence of the health effects of exposure to RF transmissions.

During the 2019 legislative session, the General Assembly considered measures related to higher education.  Specifically, the measures concern student loans and financial aid, college and career access and readiness, teacher preparation and retention, and the administration and governance of state institutions of higher education.

The General Assembly considered a number of bills affecting funding for capital construction and the duties of the Capital Development Committee (CDC) during the 2019 session.

This memorandum summarizes the legislative history of Colorado's instream flow program, which is administered by the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) within the Department of Natural Resources.

This memorandum provides an overview of Colorado motor vehicle registration fees.  There are two types of fees when vehicles are registered annually: registration fees and the specific ownership tax.   The memorandum discusses the history and distribution of vehicle registration fees and provides information on the specific ownership tax

During the 2019 legislative session, the General Assembly considered transportation funding, policies of the Colorado Department of Transportation and the Public Utilities Commission, motor vehicles, and other modes of transportation.

Interactions between landlords and their tenants was a major topic during the 2019 legislative session.  This was evident in bills that made changes to the eviction process, unfit rentals, rental applications, and mobile home parks.

During the 2019 legislative session, the General Assembly considered a number of measures related to estate documents, public guardians, and trusts.  

During the 2019 legislative session, the General Assembly considered measures related to a variety of elections topics, including campaign finance, electioneering communications, lobbying disclosures, local elections, and voter registration and voting.  No bills concerning redistricting were consider by the General Assembly this session.

During the 2019 legislative session, the General Assembly passed laws related to the regulation of the business of insurance in the state. 

During the 2019 legislative session, the General Assembly considered several bills regulating professions and occupations including legislation addressing registered athletic trainers, genetic counselors, and sign language interpreters.

During the 2019 legislative session, the General Assembly considered three bills to encourage employment and job retention and ensure access to apprenticeship programs for workers in Colorado.

During the 2019 legislative session, the General Assembly made modifications to state laws regulating businesses and promoting economic development.

This memorandum provides information intended to aid in the evaluation of legislation that would create a new or alter an existing tax expenditure. State law defines a tax expenditure as a “tax provision that provides a gross or taxable income definition, deduction, exemption, credit, or rate for certain persons, types of income, transactions, or property that results in reduced tax revenue.” Put simply, tax expenditures reduce the tax liability of qualifying taxpayers. In doing so, tax expenditures reduce the amount of revenue state and local governments collect.