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 The U.S. Constitution guarantees each citizen the right to a fair trial, which includes the right to be present at the trial, able to understand the nature of the proceedings, and able to participate in his or her defense.  Whether the defendant’s mental health impaired his or her ability to know right from wrong during the alleged commission of a crime is a separate issue.  When the issue of fitness for trial (competency) is raised, Colorado law requires the court to order a competency exam.

This issue brief provides information on electric utilities in Colorado, and how utilities generate and distribute electricity to Colorado homes and businesses.  The issue brief also describes the regulation of investor-owned electric utilities by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC).

This issue brief addresses Colorado’s emergency mental health hold procedure, which allows for an individual to be involuntarily held for a 72‑hour period of treatment and evaluation if he or she appears to have a mental illness and, due to the mental illness, appears to be an imminent danger to self or others, or appears to be gravely disabled.  The brief also discusses treatment options following a mental health hold and the newly created Community Transition Specialist Program.   

This issue brief provides an overview of Regional Accountable Entities, organizations responsible for coordinating the physical and behavioral health care of the state’s Medicaid members.

This issue brief explains Colorado’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, known as Colorado Works, which provides financial and other assistance. The federally funded program is overseen at the state level by the Department of Human Services and is administered at the county level.

This issue brief describes major topics of interest related to immigration, and specifically regarding the enforcement of immigration laws and laws regarding the verification of a person's eligilibity to work in the United States.  The brief also describes legislative efforts in Colorado concerning these topics, the differences between state and federal immigration laws, and role the state plays in enforcing federal immigration laws.

In June 2014, Colorado became the first state to enact a law regulating on-demand transportation network companies (TNCs).  Since then, 49 other states and the District of Columbia have established regulatory frameworks for TNCs.  Unlike the taxicab industry, TNCs — such as Uber and Lyft — use a digital network service to connect riders to drivers.  Drivers use their personal cars and connect with passengers via mobile smartphone application (app).  This issue brief provides an overview of TNC options and regulations in Colorado.   

Public-private partnerships have become integral to developing infrastructure in Colorado and across the country. This issue brief describes public-private partnerships and summarizes public-private partnership law in Colorado.

The purchase of goods and services by public entities in Colorado is generally governed by the state procurement code.  This code is designed to ensure the fair treatment of people seeking to do business with the state, to foster broad-based competition through a bidding process, and to save money on purchases made with state funds.

During the summer and fall of 2014, seven interim committees and commissions met to discuss policy issues and draft legislation for consideration by the General Assembly during the upcoming legislative session. As required by legislative rules, the Legislative Council Committee met to review the recommended legislation

In 1992, voters approved a Colorado Constitutional Amendment -- Article X, Section 20, known as the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights (TABOR). TABOR limits annual growth in state spending.

Information technology (IT) is used by every state agency to make operations more efficient and services more widely available to the citizens of Colorado. Along with other day-to-day expenses of state government, expenses related to IT are paid through the operating budget in the state's annual budget bill. 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 funding for IT projects. 

This issue brief examines the entities and revenue sources used to administer and finance Colorado's transportation system.

Senate Bill (SB) 09-228, adopted by the General Assembly during the 2009 legislative session, creates a five-year block of statutory transfers from the General Fund to finance 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.

On May 14, 2013, Governor Hickenlooper issued an executive order directing the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) to develop the Colorado Water Plan (CWP). According to executive order D 2013-005, the CWP must promote a productive economy that supports vibrant and sustainable cities; viable and productive agriculture; and a robust skiing, recreation, and tourism industry. It must also incorporate an efficient and effective water infrastructure promoting smart land use and a strong environment that includes healthy watersheds, river and streams, and wildlife.

The following are new safety protocols for the reconvening of the General Assembly during the COVID-19 health epidemic.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) has impacted almost every aspect of society, including the criminal justice system, leaving crowded courts, prisons and jails especially susceptible to the outbreak. This memorandum provides an overview of how courts in Colorado are handling this public health emergency.  Please note that the COVID-19 situation is rapidly changing, and staff will be monitoring changes and making updates.

This handbook was created to help members of the House Agriculture, Livestock, and Natural Resources Committee, Senate Agriculture, Natural Resources and Energy Committee, the interim Water Resources Review Committee, and other legislators to better understand Colorado's water policies and programs that are likely to be encountered during their tenure.

Focus Colorado presents forecasts for the economy and state government revenue through FY 2019-20. 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.

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 initiated or referred constitutional amendment, law, or question on the ballot.  The analysis must include a summary of the measure, the major arguments both for and against the measure, and a brief fiscal assessment of the me

The Appropriations Report summarizes the final action of the General Assembly and the Governor on the budget and other legislation passed during the previous legislative session that contained an appropriation of moneys.