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State Highway Fund (SHF), the primary operating fund used by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) to manage state transportation projects. The SHF receives revenue from the HighwayUsers Tax Fund (HUTF), various other revenue and fees, federal funds, and the General Fund. Each of these revenue sources is discussed below.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, in 2015 Colorado ranked 21st in the nation for the number of identity theft victims, with 123.2 victims per 100,000 population. Identity theft is generally defined as the unlawful use of personal identifying or financial information of another person to obtain cash or credit, including name and birth date as well as a credit card and social security number. Using driver’s license, social security, bank account, and credit card numbers, identity thieves create new accounts or run up charges on existing accounts in the other person's name

Senate Bill 09-228, adopted by the General Assembly during the 2009 legislative session, created a five-year block of statutory transfers from the General Fund to pay for transportation and capital construction projects. This issue brief discusses the state law that specifies the amounts of these transfers, the trigger that determines when they occur, and the conditions under which they may be reduced or eliminated.

During the 2008 session, the General Assembly enacted House Bill 08-1335, the Building Excellent Schools Today (BEST) act. The act replaced existing law concerning state financial assistance for public school capital construction and established a grant program in order to accelerate funding for K-12 capital construction. This issue brief discusses the origins and administration of the BEST program and funding for BEST projects.

Tiny houses are increasing in popularity as a housing option across the country. This issue brief provides a general overview of the various legal obstacles sometimes faced by individuals who want to own and live in a tiny house in Colorado. It also provides several examples of local and state actions to address the planning needs for tiny houses.

The regulation of marijuana, both retail and medical, has been the subject of a great deal of public policy debate in recent years at all levels of government. This issue brief examines an overview of retail marijuana regulation in Colorado and summarizes three measures enacted by the General Assembly in the 2013 legislative session addressing the issue. For information on medical marijuana law in Colorado, please see Legislative Council Issue Brief #10-09.

Like other states, Colorado offers retirement benefits to its employees through a variety of pension plans. The state's pension plans are established in law and include both employee and employer contributions, which are made in lieu of contributions to the federal Social Security program. The state's two public pension systems are the Public Employees' Retirement Association (PERA) and the Fire and Police Pension Association (FPPA).

In the 2013 legislative session, the General Assembly enacted Senate Bill 13-011, the Colorado Civil Union Act. This issue brief summarizes the provisions of the act and discusses other states' laws concerning same-sex marriage and civil unions. A brief explanation of two same-sex marriage cases pending before the U.S. Supreme Court is also included.

Focus Colorado presents forecasts for the economy and state government revenue through FY 2015-16. Implications of the forecast for the state's General Fund budget and spending limit are described in the report's highlights and executive summary sections. The report is based on current law, legislation passed by the General Assembly affecting the forecast is described throughout the report.

Section 14-10-114, C.R.S., was amended in 2013 by HB13-1058, effective January 1, 2014. This version of section 14-10-114, C.R.S., was effective until January 1, 2014.

Section 14-10-115 (5)(a)(I)(D), (5)(a)(I)(O), (5)(a)(I)(W), (6)(b)(I), (7)(a)(II)(B), (7)(a)(II)(C), (7)(a)(II)(D), (7)(b), and (16), C.R.S., were amended in 2013 by HB13-1058, effective January 1, 2014. These versions of such provisions were effective until January 1, 2014

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 otherwise protect their own health, safety, and welfare. In response to greater awareness of at-risk populations, between 2013 and 2016, legislation expanded the scope of the system by implementing mandatory reporting for certain groups and establishing protections for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

This memorandum provides an overview of Colorado campaign finance and disclosure requirements for political office candidates.  Specifically, this memorandum provides information on:

Urban renewal provides a set of tools available to local governments to combat slum and blight conditions. This issue brief highlights urban renewal laws and financing in Colorado.

MEMORANDUM
TO: Committee on Legal Services
FROM: Richard Sweetman, Office of Legislative Legal Services
DATE: November 9, 2016
SUBJECT: Rules of the State Board of Human Services, Department of Human Services, concerning penalties for individuals convicted of fraud in the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP), 9 CCR 2503-7 (LLS Docket No. 160136; SOS Tracking No. 2015-00854).

160136-rts.pdf

In March 2010, the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), was adopted by the U.S. Congress and signed by the President. PPACA expanded health care coverage by increasing access to private health insurance and expanding eligibility for Medicaid. The law also increased regulations on health insurance providers, made changes to how the health insurance market operates, required individuals to have health care coverage, required employers to offer health insurance to employees, and established health insurance exchanges.

MEMORANDUM
TO: Committee on Legal Services
FROM: Thomas Morris, Office of Legislative Legal Services
DATE: November 4, 2016
SUBJECT: Rules of the Director, Division of Oil and Public Safety, Department of Labor and Employment, concerning underground storage tanks and aboveground storage tanks, 7 CCR 1101-14 (LLS Docket No. 160373; SOS Tracking No. 2016-00307).

160373-tm.pdf

MEMORANDUM
TO: Committee on Legal Services
FROM: Thomas Morris, Office of Legislative Legal Services
DATE: November 4, 2016
SUBJECT: Rules of the Water Quality Control Commission, Department of Public Health and Environment, concerning the Colorado discharge permit system, 5 CCR 1002-61 (LLS Docket No. 160425; SOS Tracking No. 2016- 00302).

160425-tm.pdf

Presented to the Committee on Legal Services November 17, 2016 

summary-of-olls-recommendations-re-member-files.pdf

Colorado currently administers 11 Home-and Community-Based Services Medicaid (HCBS) Waivers. This issue brief discusses the six waivers available to adults. An issue brief entitled Medicaid Waiver Programs Part I – Home- and  Community-Based Services Medicaid Waivers for Children discusses the five waivers available to children.