At least a dozen new offices have been added to Colorado’s state government over the past three years, stoking Republican fears of runaway growth as the state hurtles toward a possible budget deficit. The added offices, with ambitious goals like preventing gun violence and saving people money on health care, are a sign of ballooning […]
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Posted inHealth, News, Politics and Government
Colorado’s controversial public guardianship program scrutinized in legislative budget battle
A controversial plan to expand Colorado’s fledgling public guardianship program for people who have no family or friends to speak for them is in jeopardy as state lawmakers debate the state’s budget. The Office of Public Guardianship, which began taking wards in 2020, is now making decisions for about 70 people who are unable to […]
Posted inNews
Here’s what’s in the $36 billion state budget proposal now being debated by Colorado lawmakers
The full Colorado legislature this week began debating a $36 billion state budget proposal that, buoyed by a strong economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic and a flood of federal stimulus dollars, would boost funding to K-12 and higher education, give state employees a 3% raise and expand state efforts to improve public safety and […]
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Colorado’s economic outlook clouded by inflation, war in Ukraine
A new war in Ukraine, mounting inflation and lingering uncertainty about the coronavirus point to an elevated risk for possible economic downturn in Colorado this year, state economists told the legislature’s Joint Budget Committee on Thursday. Strong growth in state revenue is expected to flatten in the next two fiscal years, in part due to […]
Posted inNews, Politics and Government
Colorado’s pension system missed out on millions after lawmakers parked cash in low-interest account
Colorado’s pension system missed out on millions of dollars in potential investment revenue as a result of lawmakers’ decision last year to park money in a low-interest bank account, according to an analysis by nonpartisan legislative staff. The legislature set aside $380 million last year in a low-interest bank account to ensure the state could […]
Posted inEducation, News, Politics and Government
Colorado’s teacher shortage highlights need for more school funding, union boss says
Colorado will continue to face a critical teacher shortage unless state leaders make good on their constitutional obligation to increase education funding, the head of Colorado’s largest teacher union says. “We’re at a crisis point that requires bold action by our legislature,” Colorado Education Association President Amie Baca-Oehlert told The Colorado Sun in an interview […]
Posted inCrime and Courts, Economy, Education, Health, News, Politics and Government
What will be debated at the Colorado Capitol when the legislature returns next week
Gov. Jared Polis wants Colorado to become one of the top 10 safest states in the U.S. within five years, he said Thursday night during a virtual Colorado Sun event ahead of the 2022 legislative session, which begins next week on Jan. 12. “It’ll take a lot of work to get there,” he said. Polis, […]
Posted inNews, Politics and Government
Is Colorado’s government headed toward a fiscal cliff? Democrats say yes, Republicans say no.
Colorado’s coffers are flush with cash right now — so much so that taxpayers are getting refunds. But Democrats see trouble on the horizon. They’re not worried so much about a downturn, but the potential for spending on critical services like education and health care to run up against constitutional limits on how much tax […]
Posted inBusiness, Housing, News, Politics and Government
Colorado’s governor wants to enlist private companies to help fix public problems with new partnership office
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis wants private companies to help solve public problems like a shortage of child care options and affordable housing and to help develop a Front Range passenger rail service. The Democrat’s budget proposal asks state lawmakers for more than a million dollars to open up a new public-private partnership office. The proposal […]
Posted inHealth, News, Politics and Government
Colorado’s governor funds new programs to add more youth psychiatric beds amid mental health crisis
Colorado’s youth mental health crisis has reached worst-yet status, as evidenced by recent outcries from the health care, child welfare and juvenile corrections systems. A recap of the just the past few months: Nearly every district attorney in the state signed a letter saying there are no beds for kids in distress who’ve been arrested […]