Search Publications

This memorandum provides a brief history of the federal Clean Air Act; describes common air pollutants and their health impacts; outlines Colorado’s air quality issues and state programs; and lists recently enacted state legislation that aims to improve the state’s air quality.  

The 75^th General Assembly passed several bills related to veterinary care, animals, state parks, wildlife management, agriculture, and food regulations. There were also some notable bills that were introduced, but did not become law.

Water policy continues to be an important theme in the 75^th General Assembly. Water-related bills from this session focused on water quality, water administration efficiency, and municipal water use. Three measures that are generally passed annually, which allocate funding for species conservation and water projects, were also passed. As water resources become more limited with ongoing drought and shrinking snowpack, water policy is likely to continue to be a main concern for lawmakers.

Colorado has a uniquely diverse landscape. From the plains of the eastern front to the western slopes of the Rocky Mountains, the state’s energy profile includes coal and natural resources as well as renewable energy, such as wind, solar, and geothermal. Capitalizing on the diversity of resources and in response to increased energy demands, the General Assembly considered several measures related to energy and natural resources during the 2025 legislative session.

This memorandum provides information concerning Colorado’s severance tax structure and estimated effective severance tax rates, along with a comparison of effective rates for eight other western oil and gas producing states from 2018 to 2022.

This memorandum provides information concerning Colorado’s severance tax structure and estimated effective severance tax rates, along with a comparison of effective rates for eight other western oil and gas producing states from 2018 to 2022.

As the energy industry diversifies and demand to decarbonize the economy increases, interest in nuclear energy has increased in recent years. Any future nuclear energy development will involve next generation technology, which differs from traditional nuclear energy projects. This issue brief discusses the role of nuclear power in Colorado energy policy, advances in nuclear energy techology, and factors that may impact future policy decisions.

During the 2024 legislative session, the General Assembly considered several measures related to natural resources and environment; including addressing oil and gas production, renewable energy, and sustainability.

Legislative Council Staff produces greenhouse gas emissions reports (GHG reports) that estimate the emissions impact of certain bills. Utilization of these reports has been low. The reports repeal following the 2025 session unless extended by legislation.

Greenhouse gas emissions have been identified by the global scientific community as the major driver of climate change.  Globally, countries are committing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to combat the effects of climate change.  This memorandum provides background on the policies and programs related to greenhouse gas emissions reductions at the national, regional, and state levels within the United States.

During the 2024 legislative session, the General Assembly passed several pieces of legislation related to veterinary care, species conservation, public engagement, and potatoes.

This issue brief provides an overview of conservation easements in Colorado and discusses the certification process, federal and state tax incentives for the donation of conservation easements, and state purchases of conservation easements.

Several pieces of legislation focused on water in Colorado were passed during the 2024 session. These include measures concerning water projects, regulations for construction activities near wetlands and rivers, water conservation efforts, and improving water quality.

This memorandum provides a brief overview of wildfire-related legislation from 2020 to 2024. It includes all staff-identified bills related to wildfire, including bills introduced by the Wildfire Matters Review Committee. Bills are organized by category and identify impacted state agencies. The memorandum also includes information on appropriations, transfers, and other associated costs of the legislation.

Submitted herewith is the final report of the Legislative Interim Committee on Ozone Air Quality. This committee was created pursuant to Article 7 of Title 25, Colorado Revised Statutes. The purpose of this committee is to study ozone air quality in Colorado.

As one of the top agricultural states in the United States, Colorado agriculture generates approximately $47 billion annually in economic activity. Agriculture in Colorado is made up of about 30 million acres of farmland, with approximately 36,000 different farm operations, employing more than 195,000 people. This issue brief gives an overview of agriculture in Colorado, including the Colorado Proud label, the wine industry in the state, and a map showing the economic value of agriculture in each county.

This memorandum focuses on ground-level ozone, the harmful air pollutant that is the main ingredient of “smog.” Ground-level ozone significantly impacts the health of Coloradans and the environment. It is also important to note that ground-level ozone differs from “good” ozone, or stratospheric ozone, which occurs naturally in the upper atmosphere and forms a protective layer that shields the earth from the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays.

During the 2023 legislative session the General Assembly considered several measures related to energy and natural resources including clean energy; wildfire; and going green at home.

The General Assembly considered multiple bills related to water, including legislation focused on project funding, xeriscaping, studying various water challenges across the state, and stream restoration.

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.
 

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.

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.

The recently renamed Water Resources and Agriculture Review Committee (WRARC) was created to contribute to and monitor the conservation, use, development, and financing of Colorado's water resources for the general welfare of the state (Section 37-98-102, C.R.S.).  In 2022, the committee charge was updated to include Colorado agriculture issues.  The committee is also required to review statewide planning for water resources. 

An estimated 3.3 million people in Colorado are affected by drought, with 2022 being the driest year to date over the past 128 years.  In response to the ongoing drought in Colorado, the General Assembly passed HB 22-1151 to promote the efficient and maximum utilization of Colorado’s water resources by decreasing the amount of irrigated turf within the state.  The bill requires the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) in the Department of Natural Resources to create a turf replacement program that incentivizes the voluntary replacement of nonessential irrigated turf acr

During the 2022 legislative session, the General Assembly considered several measures related to natural resources and the environment including wildfire prevention and control; air quality; natural resources; environmental protection; and recycling.