Senate Bill 17-267, enacted during the 2017 legislative session, changes many aspects of fiscal policy for the state. This issue brief summarizes the bill's principal components.
This issue brief provides an overview of the Colorado unemployment insurance (UI) program, including UI benefits, funding, and solvency in the context of recent economic downturns. Economic downturns result in increased claims on regular state UI benefits. The speed and intensity of changes in UI claims during the COVID-19 Pandemic have been unprecedented.
This issue brief provides an overview of current state law and regulations pertaining to medical and retail marijuana, and discusses the role of local governments regulating marijuana.
The use of carbon-free energy sources, or energy sources that emit minimal to no greenhouse gases (GHGs) to produce electricity, is increasing. Nuclear energy, which is a carbon-free energy source, already accounts for about 20 percent of the electricity generated in the United States, but there are concerns about its potentially harmful health and environmental impacts. This issue brief provides an overview of nuclear energy, its history in Colorado, public health and safety concerns, and recent technology advancements.
In Colorado, sales taxes are imposed by the state government, counties, municipalities, and special districts. Overlapping boundaries create 754 unique tax jurisdictions, many with different tax bases, rates, and administrators. This issue brief summarizes information on how local government sales and use taxes are assessed and administered.
In 2013, Colorado eliminated precinct polling places and established voter service and polling centers (VSPCs). This issue brief outlines the services provided at VSPCs, location factors, VSPC hours, and staffing requirements for VSPCs.
This issue brief outlines state regulations for bicycle transportation. It details general safety regulations, the regulations for riding an electric bicycle, and regulations regarding safety stops.
This issue brief provides an overview of early literacy education and assessment programs, specifically the provisions of the Colorado Reading to Ensure Academic Development (READ) Act, the assessment of reading skills, and the oversight of local education providers as it pertains to literacy education.
This issue brief provides an overview of geothermal energy resources and policies in the United States and Colorado. It concludes with information on recent legislation enacted to promote the use of geothermal energy resources in Colorado.
This issue brief outlines the types of projects and expenses related to IT, the role of the Joint Technology Committee (JTC) in overseeing the approval and implementation of IT budget requests, and recent major IT projects.
This issue brief provides an overview of minors' rights to deny others access to medical records under the Health Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and Colorado state law. It also discusses state law pertaining to the ability of minors to consent to medical care.
This issue brief provides background on mobile homes and an overview of the Mobile Home Park Act, including recent changes to the law regarding purchasing mobile home parks, evictions, and leases.
This issue brief provides an overview of state and local laws regulating the landlord-tenant relationship, discusses the state and federal agencies that enforce fair housing laws, and lists several resources for landlords and tenants in dispute.
This issue brief provides an overview of state and local laws regulating the landlord-tenant relationship, discusses the state and federal agencies that enforce fair housing laws, and lists several resources for landlords and tenants in dispute.
The Colorado Department of Early Childhood Colorado's newest state department, began operations in July 2022 to provide a range of programs and services that support young children, families, and the professionals that serve them. This issue brief provides an overview of the CDEC, including its creation, programs and services offered through the department, and budget for FY 2022-23.
Three state taxes apply to marijuana, but medical and retail marijuana are taxed differently. Both medical and retail marijuana are subject to the 2.9 percent state sales tax, which is applied to most purchases in the state. Tax revenue collected from the sale of marijuana is deposited in two different funds: the Building Excellent Schools Today (BEST) Fund and the Marijuana Tax Cash Fund (MCTF)
