Search Publications

Probate is a general term referring to a court procedure by which a person's estate is transferred to others. In current usage, "probate" has been expanded to generally include all matters pertaining to administration of estates, including trust administration, guardianships, and conservatorships. This issue brief provides an overview of probate terminology and probate courts, and discusses probate procedures used in different situations.

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.

View Full Report

Legislative Council Staff conducts a study of the cost of living in each school district every two years, as required by state law. The results of the 2015 study indicate that the cost of living, adjusted by where employees live, increased in 177 of the 178 school districts in the state. In 137 of these districts, the change in cost of living from 2013 to 2015 was large enough to increase the cost-of-living factor used in the school finance funding formula.

This memorandum provides information on Colorado law related to nonfatal strangulation and information on the laws in states in which nonfatal strangulation is a felony. While Colorado statutes do not specifically address strangulation, other criminal statutes may apply. This memorandum also provides information on the 30 states identified by staff that explicitly designate strangulation as a felony.

This memo discusses the scope of bullying in Colorado schools; summarizes the provisions and programs in Colorado state law related to bullying prevention, including safe school plans and criminal penalties; and provides information on training resources and best practices for preventing bullying.

To Members of the Seventieth General Assembly:

2015 Colorado School District Cost of Living Analysis

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.

This memorandum discusses Colorado’s Digital Trunked Radio System (DTRS). The first section of the memorandum highlights the history and members of DTRS. The next section describes the components of DTRS. The final section notes the funding history of DTRS.

This issue brief discusses the various offenses related to driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol in Colorado, and their associated criminal and administrative penalties.

Presented to the Joint Health Committee.

I. PREAMBLE
II. HISTORY OF THE UNIFORM LAW COMMISSION
III. THE OPERATION OF THE ULC
IV. ACTIVITIES OF THE COLORADO COMMISSIONERS
V. A SUMMARY OF NEW ACTS
VI. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ENACTMENT AND FOR OTHER ACTION
VII. ENACTMENT RECORD, TO DATE

In response to a growing number of human-bear conflicts in Colorado, the General Assembly passed House Bill 15-1034 calling on Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the agency responsible for managing all of the state's wildlife, to provide information regarding the growing number of human-bear interactions and conflicts throughout the state, and to evaluate all available management options to properly manage black bear populations year-round to address bear-human conflicts and public safety.

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.

View Full Report

Pursuant to Section 43-2-145, C.R.S. The purpose of this committee is to give guidance and direction to the state Department of Transportation in the development of the state transportation system, and to provide legislative oversight of and input into such development.

Pursuant to Interim Committee Letter 2015-3. The purpose of the committee was to examine vocational rehabilitation services for the blind, the use of available funding, and program performance in order to determine the most effective structure and delivery model for vocational rehabilitation services.

Pursuant to Article 98 of Title 37, Colorado Revised Statutes. The purpose of this committee is to oversee the conservation, use, development, and financing of Colorado's water resources. 

Pursuant to Senate Bill 13-082. The purpose of this committee is to oversee and review the prevention, mitigation, and financing of wildfire matters in Colorado.