Joint Budget Committee
Joint Budget Committee
Gov. Jared Polis wanted quick action on his $1.3 billion stimulus plan. Colorado lawmakers want more time.
Legislative budget writers decided that the governor’s measures needed more consideration and debate and didn’t fit the definition for mid-year spending adjustments
Colorado’s fiscal future looks brighter. Now lawmakers must decide how to spend the unexpected windfall.
The December revenue forecasts from the governor’s office and legislative economists show the recovery is impacting high-wage and low-wage workers differently
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.
The 2020 election untied and retied the fiscal knot in Colorado with decisions on Gallagher and taxes
In the 2020 election, the fickle Colorado electorate sent mixed messages on taxes and spending with big implications for the future
Colorado state workers ordered to take unpaid furlough amid state budget shortfall
Gov. Jared Polis said “it's a time for belt tightening” but offered a tiered approach to reduce impact on lower-wage workers
Colorado state budget could escape “worst of the worst,” latest economic estimates show
Still, rising demand and cost of state government services means reserves may not fill the gap and could force more budget cuts next year
Colorado gun sales remain at high volume, prompting $1.3 million request to speed up background checks
At its peak in April, the average state firearm background check took 56 hours to process, up from about five minutes in April 2019
Jared Polis is taking big money from private donors to fund key positions in Colorado governor’s office
The work covered by private gifts and grants include the Colorado governor’s top issues -- climate change, immigration and early childhood
Colorado spared more budget cuts for now, but an additional $1 billion in reductions looms on 2021 horizon
The state’s reserve is so minimal the slightest change will force Gov. Jared Polis to take executive action to reduce spending.
Colorado lawmakers made billions in cuts to finish the budget. Now Gov. Polis may need to make even more.
The $30.3 billion state budget for the 2020-21 fiscal year left a slim reserve to cushion against economic fluctuations, putting the state on edge
Oil and gas and private donors paid for initiatives in Hickenlooper’s administration, investigation finds
The donations overlapped with state business but the governor’s office had no conflict of interest policy, The Colorado Sun and CBS4 found
Nicolais: CU steps up to help students amid coronavirus concerns
Even as the state legislature cut spending to Colorado colleges and universities, CU leadership took steps to ensure access and diversity on campus
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
To balance budget, Colorado lawmakers add to PERA’s long-term debt and backtrack from landmark deal
The Joint Budget Committee eliminated a $225 million payment from the state to the pension in the next fiscal year
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 now owns Fishers Peak, but funds to build the newest state park are in coronavirus limbo
In a deal that closed in a Broomfield park, Colorado took title to the ranch that will be the newest state park. Developing it, however, will take some financing creativity as budgets are slashed under pandemic pressures.
Coronavirus may trigger the second-largest property tax cut in Colorado history, further crippling local budgets
The reductions under Colorado’s Gallagher Amendment would slash total school district revenue by an estimated $491 million. Fire districts would also be hard hit.
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