Three months ago, Gov. Jared Polis put forward a $1.3 billion stimulus plan and asked Colorado lawmakers to fast-track the measures. On Thursday, the General Assembly said not so fast. Instead of inserting the governor’s November spending requests into a supplemental budget package being drafted now, the proposals will move ahead in separate legislation for […]
Joint Budget Committee
Posted inBusiness, Politics and Government
Colorado’s fiscal future looks brighter. Now lawmakers must decide how to spend the unexpected windfall.
The dark clouds shadowing Colorado’s fiscal situation are giving way to a brighter economic outlook, according to a pair of forecasts presented Friday to state lawmakers. The arrival of a COVID-19 vaccine, an increase in job creation and a higher online sales are boosting the state’s economy, but it’s not universal. The latest numbers show […]
Posted inElection 2020, Politics and Government
Colorado governor says his $1.3 billion stimulus plan would create up to 15,000 jobs, but questions abound
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis on Thursday asked state lawmakers to spend $1.3 billion on an economic stimulus package that he said would create up to 15,000 jobs and boost the state’s economy by 11% over current projections. “Making these investments now with this one-time money will help restore economic growth faster and better, and shrink […]
Posted inElection 2020, Politics and Government
The 2020 election untied and retied the fiscal knot in Colorado with decisions on Gallagher and taxes
On the same ballot that cemented statewide Democratic power not seen since 1936, Colorado’s voters once again sent their elected leaders mixed messages on taxes and spending. They voted to raise taxes in one measure, and cut them in another. They authorized expansive new social programs, while limiting the state’s ability to afford the programs […]
Posted inCOVID
Colorado state workers ordered to take unpaid furlough amid state budget shortfall
Gov. Jared Polis announced Tuesday that he will order most of Colorado’s 30,000 government employees to take an unpaid furlough to help address the state’s budget crunch. The move — expected to be formalized in an executive order — applies to executive branch employees making more than $50,000 a year and is tiered to lessen […]
Posted inBusiness, Politics and Government
Colorado state budget could escape “worst of the worst,” latest economic estimates show
Colorado could be spared billions in additional state budget cuts under new economic forecasts released Friday with one crucial caveat: As long as new viral outbreaks don’t send the economy back into a tailspin. “I think today’s forecast is going to spare us the worst of the worst,” Lauren Larson, the governor’s budget director, told […]
Posted inCrime and Courts, News, Politics and Government
Colorado gun sales remain at high volume, prompting $1.3 million request to speed up background checks
A surge in demand for firearms during the coronavirus pandemic means Colorado’s background check process currently takes at least 500 times longer than normal – and it’s not slowing down any time soon. In an effort to speed the process back up, the Polis administration is asking state lawmakers to approve $1.3 million in emergency […]
Posted inSun Investigation
Jared Polis is taking big money from private donors to fund key positions in Colorado governor’s office
To deliver on his campaign promises and policy priorities, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis is relying on wealthy donors and major advocacy organizations to pay the bill. The Democratic governor is accepting more than $1 million from donors, nonprofits and foundations to pay salaries and costs associated with six top policy positions, according to a review […]
Posted inOpinion, Opinion Columns
Opinion: We can heal the coronavirus’ economic wounds with Initiative 271
The COVID-19 global pandemic has spread across the country, and Colorado has not been spared. Over 38,000 coronavirus cases have been reported in our state, with over 1,700 deaths, and no end in sight. We aren’t just facing an unprecedented health crisis – for many, especially families with low incomes, the economic impact has been just […]
Posted inPolitics and Government
Colorado spared more budget cuts for now, but an additional $1 billion in reductions looms on 2021 horizon
No further budget cuts are immediately necessary as an economic forecast from the Polis administration shows a series of tax changes approved by Colorado lawmakers generated enough revenue to preserve the state’s slim budget cushion. Gov. Jared Polis’ office says a new economic forecast shows that tax revenue will allow the state to carry a […]