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Staff Publications

State Fleet Management and Costs

The Department of Personnel and Administration (DPA) administers the State Fleet Management Program. This memorandum provides an overview of the program, characteristics of the state fleet, and how vehicle-related costs are handled in fiscal notes and the budget process.

Release date:
Publishing Agency:
Legislative Council Staff
Subjects:
  • State Government
  • Transportation & Motor Vehicles


Staff Publications

Legislative Council Handbook

Colorado statute establishes the Legislative Council as a body of 18 Senators and Representatives with specific functions and responsibilities (Section 2-3-301, et seq., C.R.S.).  Six senators are appointed, with the President of the Senate appointing the majority party members and the Minority Leader appointing the minority party members, all of whom must be approved by a majority of the Senate.

Release date:
Publishing Agency:
Legislative Council Staff
Subjects:
  • General Assembly
  • State Government


Staff Publications

2025 April Colorado General Assembly Digital Accessibility Report

Pursuant to Section 24-34-802 (1)(c)(II), C.R.S., this report outlines the ongoing efforts of staff of the legislative branch of the state of Colorado to improve and maintain a digital landscape that meets or exceeds accessibility standards and is inclusive and accessible to all.

Release date:
Publishing Agency:
Legislative Council Staff
Subjects:
  • State Government



Staff Publications

2025 January Colorado General Assembly Digital Accessibility Report

In accordance with Section 24-34-802 (1)(c)(II), C.R.S., The Colorado General Assembly Digital Accessibility Report outlines the ongoing efforts made by the staff of the legislative branch of the State of Colorado to improve and maintain a digital landscape that is inclusive and accessible to everyone, including its ongoing accessibility efforts to meet or exceed accessibility standards.

This report will be updated quarterly through July 2025.

Release date:
Publishing Agency:
Legislative Council Staff
Subjects:
  • State Government

Staff Publications

State Government Enterprises

This memorandum provides information on state government enterprises under Article X, Section 20 of the Colorado Constitution, also known as the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR). From FY 1993-94 through FY 2023-24, over 30 state government entities had received enterprise status for at least one fiscal year. In FY 2022-23, the most recent year for which financial data are available, enterprise revenue totaled $23.3 billion.

Release date:
Publishing Agency:
Legislative Council Staff
Subjects:
  • Fiscal Policy & Taxes
  • State Government
  • State Revenue & Budget

Staff Publications

The Colorado Recall Process

A recall is a process that allows voters to remove and replace an elected official before the official’s term ends. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, Colorado is one of 19 states that allow for the recall of state and local elected officials.

Release date:
Publishing Agency:
Legislative Council Staff
Subjects:
  • Elections & Redistricting
  • General Assembly
  • Local Government
  • State Government

Staff Publications

Strategies to Reduce Fiscal Impacts of Legislation

Fiscal notes estimate the fiscal impact of legislation, including revenue impacts, state expenditures, and appropriations required. However, fiscal notes are decision-making tools for legislators, and the General Assembly is ultimately responsible for making appropriations and setting aside the state funding needed to implement legislation. This memorandum outlines several common strategies used to limit the fiscal impact of legislation, primarily expenditure impacts, and discusses how these strategies are treated in fiscal notes.

Release date:
Publishing Agency:
Legislative Council Staff
Subjects:
  • General Assembly
  • State Government

Staff Publications

Programs and Resources for Persons Experiencing Homelessness

Homelessness affects thousands of individuals and families across Colorado. Among U.S. states, Colorado has the 8th highest number of residents experiencing homelessness. This memorandum describes the scope of homelessness in the state and provides an overview of the programs and resources available to Colorado’s unhoused population.

 
 
Release date:
Publishing Agency:
Legislative Council Staff
Subjects:
  • Housing
  • Local Government
  • State Government

Staff Publications

Ranked Choice Voting

This memorandum provides an overview of ranked choice voting in Colorado and other states. Ranked choice voting is a method of voting where voters rank candidates by preference. Ranked choice voting is currently used in nonpartisan elections in several Colorado municipalities, with at least one additional municipality planning to use it in future elections.

Release date:
Publishing Agency:
Legislative Council Staff
Subjects:
  • Elections & Redistricting
  • Local Government
  • State Government

Staff Publications

2024 October Colorado General Assembly Digital Accessibility Report

In accordance with Section 24-34-802 (1)(c)(II), C.R.S., The Colorado General Assembly Digital Accessibility Report outlines the ongoing efforts made by the staff of the legislative branch of the State of Colorado to improve and maintain a digital landscape that is inclusive and accessible to everyone, including its ongoing accessibility efforts to meet or exceed accessibility standards.

This report will be updated quarterly through July 2025.

Release date:
Publishing Agency:
Legislative Council Staff
Subjects:
  • General Assembly
  • State Government

Staff Publications

Informe de accesibilidad digital de la Asamblea General de Colorado

De conformidad con la Sección 24-34-802 (1)(c)(II), C.R.S., este informe describe los esfuerzos continuos realizados por el personal de la rama administrativa del Estado de Colorado para mejorar y mantener un entorno digital que sea inclusivo y accesible para todos, incluidos sus esfuerzos continuos de accesibilidad para cumplir o superar las normas de accesibilidad.

Release date:
Publishing Agency:
Legislative Council Staff
Subjects:
  • State Government

Staff Publications

2024 June Colorado General Assembly Digital Accessibility Report

In accordance with Section 24-34-802 (1)(c)(II), C.R.S., The Colorado General Assembly Digital Accessibility Report outlines the ongoing efforts made by the staff of the legislative branch of the State of Colorado to improve and maintain a digital landscape that is inclusive and accessible to everyone, including its ongoing accessibility efforts to meet or exceed accessibility standards.

This report will be updated quarterly through July 2025.

Release date:
Publishing Agency:
Legislative Council Staff
Subjects:
  • General Assembly
  • State Government


Staff Publications

Statutory Reports Sent to Joint Business Committee

This memorandum provides an overview of all the statutory reports that are required to be sent to members of the Joint Business Committee in FY 2023‑24. Most of the reports can be found in the Required Reports Database. Some reports are included as part of the agency’s annual reporting. Please contact Legislative Council Staff if you are unable to locate a report. A list of the reports is provided in Table 1.

Release date:
Publishing Agency:
Legislative Council Staff
Subjects:
  • Business & Economic Development
  • Labor & Employment
  • Professions & Occupations
  • State Government

Staff Publications

Legislative Council Handbook

Colorado statute establishes the Legislative Council as a body of 18 Senators and Representatives with specific functions and responsibilities (Section 2-3-301, et seq., C.R.S.).  Six senators are appointed, with the President of the Senate appointing the majority party members and the Minority Leader appointing the minority party members, all of whom must be approved by a majority of the Senate.

Release date:
Publishing Agency:
Legislative Council Staff
Subjects:
  • General Assembly
  • State Government

Staff Publications

2023 SMART Act Hearings Overview Memorandum

This memorandum provides an overview of the "State Measurement for Accountable, Responsive, and Transparent Government Act" (SMART Government Act).  The act requires executive agencies to annually present specific information to joint legislative committees during the first two weeks of the legislative session.  This memorandum summarizes the information that state agencies are required to submit to committees in advance of the hearings and the requirements of the hearings.

Release date:
Publishing Agency:
Legislative Council Staff
Subjects:
  • State Government

Staff Publications

Vacancies in Elected Offices

This memorandum provides an overview of the process to fill vacancies in various elected offices at the federal, state, and local levels.  A vacancy in an elected office occurs when an office holder resigns or dies during his or her elected term.   A vacancy may also occur when an elected official moves outside of the district he or she represents.  Vacancies in federal, state, and local elected offices in Colorado are filled in a variety of ways, including appointments, vacancy elections, and political party vacancy committees.

Release date:
Publishing Agency:
Legislative Council Staff
Subjects:
  • Elections & Redistricting
  • General Assembly
  • Local Government
  • State Government

Staff Publications

State Government Enterprises

This memorandum provides information on state government enterprises under Article X, Section 20 of the Colorado Constitution, also known as the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR).  From FY 1993-94 through FY 2022-23, 33 state government entities had received enterprise status for at least one fiscal year.  In FY 2020-21, the most recent year for which financial data are available, enterprise revenue totaled $27.1 billion.

Release date:
Publishing Agency:
Legislative Council Staff
Subjects:
  • Fiscal Policy & Taxes
  • State Government
  • State Revenue & Budget

Staff Publications

Process for Writing the Ballot Information Booklet

Article V, Section 1 (7.5), Colorado Constitution, and Section 1-40-124.5, Colorado Revised Statutes, require the Legislative Council Staff to prepare a ballot information booklet prior to each election in which a statewide issue appears on the ballot.  The booklet's purpose is to provide voters with the text, title, and a fair and impartial analysis of each statewide initiated or referred constitutional amendment, law, or question on the ballot.  The analysis must include a summary of the measure, the major arguments for and against the measure, and a brief fiscal assessment of t

Release date:
Publishing Agency:
Legislative Council Staff
Subjects:
  • Elections & Redistricting
  • General Assembly
  • State Government

Staff Publications

Technical Debt and Modernization

This memorandum examines technical debt and modernization, along with legislation that aims to address legacy technical solutions that serve government organizations and their constituents.

Release date:
Publishing Agency:
Legislative Council Staff
Subjects:
  • State Government
  • Telecommunications & Information Technology