Bob Rankin
8 big things you need to know about Colorado’s $34 billion state budget
The legislature has hundreds of millions more to spend than it was anticipating after Colorado’s economy fared better than expected during the pandemic.
Millions more for Colorado K-12 schools? Lawmakers seek court opinion first.
Current Colorado lawmakers want to slowly increase local school district property taxes without a vote. They say it doesn't violate the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights because a generation ago voters agreed to higher rates and state officials improperly lowered them.
How Colorado is changing standardized tests for elementary and middle school students this year — and why
House Bill 1161, which could be signed into law by Gov. Jared Polis as soon as Tuesday, is the result of a compromise between the testing opponents and proponents
Colorado competes with other states for wildfire-fighting aircraft. Climate change makes that a big problem.
Lawmakers have signed off on spending tens of millions of dollars to bolster Colorado’s access to fire-dousing planes and helicopters. That’s crucial as blazes grow bigger and more plentiful -- and erupt beyond summer.
Colorado’s governor wants a big, fast coronavirus stimulus package. State lawmakers worry about the details.
The situation echoes of the yearslong tug of war between the governor and Democratic budget writers that began soon after Jared Polis assumed office
Colorado school finance bill would spare districts from impact of enrollment declines
The Joint Budget Committee OK'd an education finance bill that send an extra $60 million to districts that saw large enrollment declines or a decrease in the number of students living in poverty. Rural districts will share another $25 million from the new nicotine tax.
Colorado governor says his $1.3 billion stimulus plan would create up to 15,000 jobs, but questions abound
Lawmakers are open to a stimulus, though skeptical because the economic package amounts to deficit spending. Gov. Jared Polis says it's worth the investment.
Democrats hold their majorities at Colorado Capitol but GOP blunts a second blue wave
The next legislative session will look different, and the conversation is sure to focus on addressing the economic fallout from coronavirus
Democrats dominate campaign fundraising and spend big to build majority in the Colorado legislature
A Republican leadership rift is hurting fundraising and one lawmaker blames a “serious strategic error” for some of the troubles
Nonprofit cash being spent in Colorado campaigns still impossible to trace despite 2019 law
Outside spenders in Colorado's recent primary found ways around transparency, making money tough to track.
Incumbents, slate backed by super PAC cash head to victory in run for Colorado statehouse
Weld Republican says it’s “a new chance for the conservative effort in Colorado.”
2020 battle for power at the Capitol starts with these big-money Colorado legislative primaries
A guide to the top legislative contests in the June 30 primary, where Republicans are debating who is more conservative and Democrats are aiming for progressive bona fides
How Colorado lawmakers closed a $3 billion shortfall to balance the budget and why it led to tears
The Joint Budget Committee finalized how to spend $11 billion in discretionary spending ahead of the legislative session’s restart
Colorado’s tourism marketing budget revived as lawmakers bet travelers will be crucial to coronavirus recovery
It looked like the state would zero out Colorado Tourism Office spending on promotion. But without visitors, communities built on travel will founder, budget writers say.
Colorado is the only state without a rainy day fund. Now the coronavirus means it will pay the price.
Colorado's budget reserve fund is now larger than it was in previous years, but leaders knew it wouldn’t be enough to weather a storm
Colorado could stop tourism marketing as budget writers look to slash $3 billion in spending
Tourism leaders worry about the massive economic impact of Colorado disappearing from the public eye as the Joint Budget Committee ponders the idea of the state marketing itself
Dark money group drops $500,000 to help put a paid family leave initiative on November ballot
The latest state-level campaign finance reports show Democratic candidates and super PACs lead GOP rivals in legislative contests
Colorado scrutinizes oil and gas tax breaks as severance taxes drop and the state budget gets tight
A recent legislative analysis finds the Colorado oil and gas industry pays second lowest severance tax rate among nine Western states
With Jared Polis’ blessing, Colorado lawmakers will try again to let state employees collectively bargain
Democrats have been trying for years to pass a bill to allow state employees to negotiate higher wages but have faced blowback from Republicans
Three budget numbers that will set the tone for the 2020 legislative session in Colorado
The December economic forecasts show slower growth and TABOR limits will restrain state spending in the next budget year
