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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.

Pursuant to Section 22-55-104 C.R.S., Legislative Council Staff, in consultation with the State Auditor, the State Treasurer, the Department of Education (CDE), the Office of State Planning and Budgeting, and the Joint Budget Committee (JBC), is required to conduct a review of the model used to forecast revenue to and expenditures from the State Education Fund and the spending requirements for the Public School Finance Act of 1994 by February 1 of each year.  This report provides a forecast of the State Education Fund revenue and expenditures within the budgetary framework for school f

This issue brief discusses the history of blockchain technology, its current and future applications, and recently proposed Colorado legislation related to this technology.

Transportation infrastructure in the United States is primarily funded through motor fuel (gas) taxes. Facing declining future revenues and increased construction costs, some states have begun to experiment with a new way of funding transportation: the road usage charge.  This issue brief provides background information on road usage charges, along with information on road usage charge programs in Colorado and other states, and highlights trends and future policy considerations.

Final Report to the Colorado General Assembly by the Prison Population Management Interim Study Committee.

In the United States, one of the largest purchases a person makes besides a home is a motor vehicle.  To protect consumers and promote trust in the motor vehicle industry, states and the federal government regulate the manufacturing, safety, and sale of motor vehicles.  This issue brief discusses federal consumer protection laws, motor vehicle dealer regulations in Colorado, and Colorado franchise, Sunday closing, and so-called “lemon laws.”

This memorandum provides a listing of criminal justice reform bills passed in Colorado over the past several years.  More specifically, the attached table provides the bill number, title, and description of the criminal justice reform legislation, organized by category (i.e., bail, juvenile, sentencing, etc.).

This issue brief provides an overview of state laws related to pet animal facilities.  These facilities are licensed and regulated under the Colorado Pet Animal Care and Facilities Act (PACFA).

During the 2020 session, the General Assembly considered bills related to immunizations, food safety, chemical and consumer safety, substance use disorders, and paid sick leave.

During the 2020 legislative session, the General Assembly considered measures related to its operations, state employees and retirement plans, state agencies and procurement, open records and meetings, and notarization.  Several of the bills were in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the related state disaster emergency declared by the Governor in March.

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.

Colorado's transportation system consists of the state highway system, county and municipal roads, mass transit, airports, railroads, and bicycle and pedestrian routes.  The system is primarily managed by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT).  Cities, counties, transit authorities, regional transportation authorities, public highway authorities, and the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) also manage portions of the system.  The Colorado Transportation Commission provides direction to CDOT, a role authorized by the General Assembly in state law.  Both

This issue brief provides an overview of Colorado’s laws, at both the state and local level, related to the personal cultivation of marijuana.

Reading competency is pivotal to the academic development of Colorado’s students.  State law targets the early elementary grades as the essential time and location for developing the reading skills necessary for successful academic achievement in later grades.  This issue brief provides an overview of the Colorado Reading to Ensure Academic Development (READ) Act, and discusses recent changes to state funding for READ Act implementation.

This issue brief describes single-use plastics, current Colorado law, proposed legislation in Colorado that would have addressed single-use plastics, and other states that have enacted single-use plastics legislation.

During the 2019 legislative session, the General Assembly considered a number of measures related to estate documents, public guardians, and trusts.  

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.

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 booklet provides information on the eleven statewide measures on the November 3, 2020, ballot and on the judges who are on the ballot for retention in your area.

Fiscal Impact Statements for the 2020 statewide ballot measures.

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.  This issue brief provides an overview of the APS system in Colorado, highlights data on APS reports and investigations, and outlines how information on APS investigations is stored and used in the Colorado Adult Protective Service Data System (CAPS). 

This memorandum provides information about the regulation of professions and occupations in Colorado.  Over 100 professions and occupations are currently required to be licensed, certified, or registered in Colorado, or are authorized to use an exclusive professional title, known as title protection.  The Division of Professions and Occupations in the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) regulates the majority of professions and occupations.  Certain professions are regulated by other state agencies, including the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Educatio