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The U.S. federal government holds exclusive authority to regulate immigration, including who may enter the country and under what conditions. Nevertheless, states can enact laws that impact immigrants and influence the enforcement of federal immigration laws, provided that these state laws do not conflict with federal law. This issue brief outlines current state and federal laws affecting immigration in Colorado, including immigration enforcement, the Office of New Americans, access to public services, health insurance coverage, and identification.

This memorandum provides an overview of the Colorado Governmental Immunity Act; the State Office of Risk Management’s role in the risk management process; and recent trends in state spending on property, liability, and workers’ compensation coverage and claims.

Aging and ill inmates are the fastest growing population within Colorado prisons. Special needs parole (SNP) is designed to provide early release or parole to incarcerated individuals who have serious, debilitating, or terminal illnesses, or who are advanced age and no longer pose a threat to public safety. Yet, this release mechanism is used infrequently, often due to lack of healthcare services and housing options available upon release to the community.

During the 2025 legislative session, the General Assembly considered bills concerning the state, including the General Assembly, the Colorado Open Records Act, and a state symbol. Additionally, the General Assembly considered legislation addressing various immigration matters. 

This memorandum describes the organizational structure of the staff of the Colorado legislative branch. These staff are categorized as follows:

The Department of Personnel and Administration (DPA) administers the State Fleet Management Program. This memorandum provides an overview of the program, characteristics of the state fleet, and how vehicle-related costs are handled in fiscal notes and the budget process.

This memo provides an overview of PERA with a focus on the state legislature’s role in the pension system. PERA also has a wide variety of resources on its website for members, employers, and retirees.

Colorado statute establishes the Legislative Council as a body of 18 Senators and Representatives with specific functions and responsibilities (Section 2-3-301, et seq., C.R.S.).  Six senators are appointed, with the President of the Senate appointing the majority party members and the Minority Leader appointing the minority party members, all of whom must be approved by a majority of the Senate.

Pursuant to Section 24-34-802 (1)(c)(II), C.R.S., this report outlines the ongoing efforts of staff of the legislative branch of the state of Colorado to improve and maintain a digital landscape that meets or exceeds accessibility standards and is inclusive and accessible to all.

How a Bill Becomes Law in Colorado

versión en español

Cómo Un Proyecto De Ley Se Convierte En Ley En Colorado

How a Bill Becomes Law in Colorado (Spanish)

In accordance with Section 24-34-802 (1)(c)(II), C.R.S., The Colorado General Assembly Digital Accessibility Report outlines the ongoing efforts made by the staff of the legislative branch of the State of Colorado to improve and maintain a digital landscape that is inclusive and accessible to everyone, including its ongoing accessibility efforts to meet or exceed accessibility standards.

This report will be updated quarterly through July 2025.

This memorandum provides information on state government enterprises under Article X, Section 20 of the Colorado Constitution, also known as the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR). From FY 1993-94 through FY 2023-24, over 30 state government entities had received enterprise status for at least one fiscal year. In FY 2022-23, the most recent year for which financial data are available, enterprise revenue totaled $23.3 billion.

A recall is a process that allows voters to remove and replace an elected official before the official’s term ends. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, Colorado is one of 19 states that allow for the recall of state and local elected officials.

Fiscal notes estimate the fiscal impact of legislation, including revenue impacts, state expenditures, and appropriations required. However, fiscal notes are decision-making tools for legislators, and the General Assembly is ultimately responsible for making appropriations and setting aside the state funding needed to implement legislation. This memorandum outlines several common strategies used to limit the fiscal impact of legislation, primarily expenditure impacts, and discusses how these strategies are treated in fiscal notes.

Homelessness affects thousands of individuals and families across Colorado. Among U.S. states, Colorado has the 8th highest number of residents experiencing homelessness. This memorandum describes the scope of homelessness in the state and provides an overview of the programs and resources available to Colorado’s unhoused population.

Submitted herewith is the final report of the American Indian Affairs Interim Study Committee. This committee was created pursuant to Interim Committee Request Letter 2024-003. The purpose of this committee is to build better relationships between American Indian communities and the legislative branch through engaging in meaningful conversations between legislators, tribal citizens, and American Indian communities.

The State Measurement for Accountable, Responsive, and Transparent Government Act (SMART Act) was adopted in 2010 by House Bill 10-1119. This bill established a performance-based budgeting program.

2025 Fiscal Note Staff Assignments by Subject Area.

The Attorney General is a statewide elected official who acts as the chief legal representative of the state and the chief executive officer of the Department of Law. The Attorney General and the Department of Law together are known as the Colorado Attorney General’s Office. This issue brief provides an overview of the office’s functions.

2025 Fiscal Note Staff Assignments by Subject Area.

The harmful effects of secondhand smoke and emissions from tobacco, marijuana, and electronic smoking devices continue to be an issue in Colorado. Since 1992, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has classified secondhand tobacco smoke as a known cause of cancer.

This memorandum provides an overview of ranked choice voting in Colorado and other states. Ranked choice voting is a method of voting where voters rank candidates by preference. Ranked choice voting is currently used in nonpartisan elections in several Colorado municipalities, with at least one additional municipality planning to use it in future elections.