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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.

ESTIMATED VALUE OF SCHOOL FINANCE FACTORS, INCLUDING NEGATIVE FACTOR, FY 2015-16

Additional At-Risk Student Funding Under SB 15-267, FY 2015-16 (estimated allocation is about $16.13 per at-risk student)

Reengrossed Senate Bill 15-267 FY 2015-16 Compared with FY 2014-15

Senate Bill 15-267 as Introduced by the General Assembly

FY 2015-16 Compared with FY 2014-15

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.

Glossary of Legislative Terms

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.

The General Assembly is required by the Colorado Constitution to establish and maintain a thorough and uniform system of free public schools, where any person between the ages of 6 and 21 may be educated. At the same time, the constitution places control of public school instruction in locally elected boards of education. Under this system, the legislature provides financial support and establishes statutory guidelines applicable to all school districts, and local school boards determine curricula and instruction.

Colorado's individual income tax form allows a taxpayer to make a voluntary contribution to any one of 15 funds, each of which benefits a program or charitable organization (organization). This issue brief provides information on the income tax "checkoff" program and the selection of organizations for placement on the income tax form.

Accreditation refers to an external review process used to analyze colleges, universities, and other educational programs for academic quality and accountability. For institutions and programs of higher education in the United States, accreditation is a voluntary process; however, it is also the primary method by which students, families, policymakers, and the public know that an institution or program offers a quality education.

The quality and affordability of child care and early childhood education (ECE) are key concerns for parents and policymakers alike. Whether daycare, preschool, or another setting, child care and ECE allow parents to remain in the workforce and improve the school readiness of children. This issue brief provides an overview of the financial assistance available to families needing child care and describes the state's licensing and regulation of child care.

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

Pursuant to Interim Committee Letter 2014-6. The purpose of this committee is to evaluate and make recommendations regarding appropriate uses of sales tax revenue generated by recreational marijuana sales in Colorado.