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Report No. 2021-TE17

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.

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.

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.

Memo No. 2025-TE8

This memorandum identifies state funding for water supply projects, including the:

• Colorado Water Conservation Board Construction Fund;
• Severance Tax Trust Fund Perpetual Base Fund; 
• Water Supply Reserve Fund; 
• Water Efficiency Grant Program; and 
• Colorado Water Resources and Power Development Authority Water Revenue Bonds and Small Hydropower Loans

During the 2019 legislative session, the General Assembly considered a variety of measures related to climate change, land conservation, wildfires, and other issues related to environmental protection.

A conservation easement is a voluntary legal agreement between a landowner and a charitable organization or government entity that permanently protects scenic or agricultural open space, natural habitat, or recreational areas.

There are approximately 50,000 active oil and gas wells in Colorado. This issue brief provides an overview of Colorado's oil and gas operations inspection processes and offers a summary of legislative measures related to inspections of oil and gas development that were passed by the Colorado General Assembly during the 2013 legislative session.

The federal and state governments each provide tax incentives for landowners who designate their land as a conservation easement, foregoing certain use rights in order to preserve the land in perpetuity. This memorandum provides information on federal and state conservation easement tax incentives.

In response to a growing number of human-bear conflicts in Colorado, the General Assembly passed House Bill 15-1034 calling on Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the agency responsible for managing all of the state's wildlife, to provide information regarding the growing number of human-bear interactions and conflicts throughout the state, and to evaluate all available management options to properly manage black bear populations year-round to address bear-human conflicts and public safety.

This year marks a milestone in tracking forest health and management in Colorado, with this publication representing the 15th annual report on the health of Colorado’s forests. Throughout this period, we’ve witnessed many landscapelevel changes across Colorado. The forces and circumstances that have come together – climate and weather events, insects and diseases, wildfire and human impacts – have contributed to dramatic changes in the age and structure of our forests.

This issue brief provides an overview of the aquatic nuisance species (ANS) program, and offers current data and statistics regarding ANS in Colorado.

Summary report for the Zero Waste and Recycling Interim Study Committee.  

This memorandum memorializes the process for requesting and preparing greenhouse gas emissions reports (reports) pursuant to Section 2-2-322.3, C.R.S. 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.

This memorandum provides information concerning severance taxes in Colorado and eight other western states.  The memo provides detailed information on Colorado’s severance tax structure, including estimates for the current value of the ad valorem tax credit and the stripper well exemption.  Estimated effective severance tax rates for nine western states are provided, along with a discussion of why the effective tax rate varies from the statutory tax rate.  Finally, the memo provides estimates of severance taxes paid in each county in Co

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.

Summary Report for the Water Resources Review Committee to the Legislative Council.

This committee was created pursuant to Senate Bill 13-082. The purpose of this committee is to oversee and review the prevention, mitigation, and financing of wildfire matters in Colorado.

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.

Final report to the Colorado General Assembly by the Water Resources Review Committee. The purpose of this committee is to oversee the conservation, use, development, and financing of Colorado's water resources.

During the 2019 legislative session, the General Assembly considered a variety of measures related to climate change, land conservation, wildfires, and other issues related to environmental protection.