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This memorandum provides an overview of the current legal status of fantasy sports contests and legislation related to fantasy sports contests currently being considered by states.

Quick Facts About the Legislative Council

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.

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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.