Some U.S. cities have adopted legislation to limit or restrict the use of natural gas systems in new construction, instead requiring building systems or appliances to be powered by electricity. In response to these natural gas prohibitions, some states have enacted legislation prohibiting cities from restricting natural gas systems in new construction. This issue brief provides background on the issue and how it applies to Colorado.
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 an overview of the financial assistance available to families needing child care, briefly describes the licensing of child care centers, and explains where to find child care quality ratings.
Cyber attacks on critical infrastructure like the electrical grid are increasing as advanced technology becomes more integrated into how energy systems operate. This issue brief provides an overview of critical infrastructure, discusses a 2019 cyber attack on the U.S. electrical grid, and summarizes state and federal legislation addressing security for critical infrastructure.
This issue brief outlines home rule governance for municipalities and counties, including the process for adopting a home rule charter and the powers that a home rule charter provides to local governments.
In 2019, Colorado enacted House Bill 19-1261, establishing statewide greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction goals. Colorado also enacted Senate Bill 19-096, requiring the Air Quality Control Commission (AQCC) within the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) to promulgate rules to collect and report on GHG data and to implement measures to meet these GHG emissions reduction goals. This issue brief provides an overview of AQCC rule making related to these legislative directives.
This issue brief provides an overview of consumer data privacy, describes applicable federal laws, and summarizes recent state legislation proposed to strengthen consumer data privacy laws.
This issue brief discusses recent federal guidance related to 1332 state innovation waivers, the required criteria that must be met for approval of a waiver, the components of federal law that can be waived, the application process for a waiver, the monitoring and review process for an approved waiver, and Colorado's recent 1332 state innovation waiver applications.
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.
Several factors contribute to high housing costs in Colorado, including low inventory and a limited variety of available housing types. Housing cost-burdened refers to families paying more than 30 percent of their income for housing. According to the Colorado Health Institute August 2019 report Home Equity, in Colorado 45 percent of renters and 19 percent of homeowners are housing cost-burdened.
Vaccinations offer protection from common infectious diseases. Colorado law requires every child who is attending school in the state to present an up-to-date certificate of immunization. State law also allows for a student to be exempt from the immunization requirements for medical reasons, religious beliefs, or personal beliefs.
Colorado's Adult Protective Services (APS) system, first established in 1983, protects at-risk adults who, because of mental or physical ability, are unable to obtain services or other wise protect their own health, safety, and welfare.
