Skip to main content

Search Publications

Filter

Displaying 51 - 75 of 2075

Final/Annual Reports

2025 Transportation Legislation Review Committee Final Report

Submitted herewith is the final report of the Transportation Legislation Review Committee (TLRC). This committee was created pursuant to Section 43-2-145, Colorado Revised Statutes. The purpose of this committee is to give guidance and direction to the Colorado Department of Transportation on the development of the state transportation system, and to provide legislative oversight of and input into such development.

Release date:
Publishing Agency:
Legislative Council Staff
Subjects:
  • General Assembly
  • Transportation & Motor Vehicles

Staff Publications

Wildfire Matters Review Committee Final Report

Pursuant to Section 2-3-1602, C.R.S., the committee is charged with reviewing and proposing legislation or other policy changes related to wildfire prevention, mitigation, and related matters, including public safety and forest health issues.

Release date:
Publishing Agency:
Legislative Council Staff
Subjects:
  • Natural Resources & Environment

Staff Publications

Overview and History of Statewide Ballot Measures in Colorado

This memorandum provides an overview of the statewide ballot measure process; a summary of the measures approved or rejected by Colorado voters between 1880 and 2025; and links to additional resources at the offices of the Colorado Legislative Council Staff and the Colorado Secretary of State.

Release date:
Publishing Agency:
Legislative Council Staff
Subjects:
  • Elections & Redistricting
  • General Assembly

Staff Publications

SB25-190 Study: Special Needs Parole and Correctional Release Options

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.

Release date:
Publishing Agency:
Legislative Council Staff
Subjects:
  • Courts & Judicial
  • Crimes, Corrections, & Enforcement
  • Health Care & Health Insurance
  • Human Services
  • Local Government
  • State Government

Summary of Major Legislation

Summary of 2025 State Government and Immigration Legislation

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. 

Release date:
Publishing Agency:
Legislative Council Staff
Subjects:
  • Immigration
  • State Government

Summary of Major Legislation

Summary of 2025 Military and Veterans Legislation

During the 2025 legislative session, the General Assembly considered several bills concerning the military and veterans, including service providers, the military code, and assistance programs.

Release date:
Publishing Agency:
Legislative Council Staff
Subjects:
  • Military & Veterans

Summary of Major Legislation

Summary of 2025 Elections Legislation

During the 2025 legislative session, the General Assembly considered several bills concerning elections, including changes to vacancy elections, voting rights, voter verification, the initiative process, and the national popular vote.

Release date:
Publishing Agency:
Legislative Council Staff
Subjects:
  • Elections & Redistricting

Issue Briefs

Geothermal Energy Resources and Policy Incentives

This issue brief provides an overview of geothermal energy resources and policies in the United States and Colorado as well as recent legislation enacted to promote the use of geothermal energy in Colorado.

Release date:
Publishing Agency:
Legislative Council Staff
Subjects:
  • Energy
  • Natural Resources & Environment
  • Water

Staff Publications

Funding Mechanisms and Fiscal Notes

This memorandum is intended for use by policymakers, legislative drafters, and budget analysts to understand the different funding mechanisms that may be used in legislation. It describes how different funding mechanisms in legislation impact the state budget and how they are shown in fiscal notes prepared by Legislative Council Staff. These funding mechanisms include appropriations, transfers, diversions, and warrants on state funds, as well as fee revenue and gifts, grants, or donations. The memorandum concludes with a list of funding mechanisms for which voter approval is required.

Release date:
Publishing Agency:
Legislative Council Staff
Subjects:
  • Fiscal Policy & Taxes
  • General Assembly
  • State Revenue & Budget

Staff Publications

National Environmental Policy Act and Large Transportation Projects

The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) was signed into law in 1970. It requires federal agencies to consider the environmental effects of a project and involve the public in the decision-making process before proceeding with a project. The requirements for complying with NEPA depend on many factors, including the size and scope of the project and the extent of which it may affect community resources, such as parks, water resources, and urban communities.

Release date:
Publishing Agency:
Legislative Council Staff
Subjects:
  • Transportation & Motor Vehicles



Issue Briefs

Competency for Criminal Trial in Colorado

Competency to stand trial, refers to the constitutional requirement that people facing criminal charges must be able to assist in their own defense. A criminal case cannot be adjudicated unless this requirement is met. The U.S. Supreme Court considers an individual competent to stand trial if they are rationally able to consult with an attorney and hold a clear understanding of the charges against them. 1 1Dusky v. United States, 362 U.S.

Release date:
Publishing Agency:
Legislative Council Staff
Subjects:
  • Civil Law
  • Courts & Judicial
  • Crimes, Corrections, & Enforcement

Staff Publications

2025 Colorado Legislative Rules

The handbook is divided into four sections, 1:  Rules of the House of Representatives; 2:  Rules of the Senate; 3:  Joint Rules of the Senate and House and Joint Session Rules; and 4:  Colorado Constitution. This section includes only selected portions of the constitution.

The House, Senate, and Joint Rules in this handbook are current through November 2025.

Release date:
Publishing Agency:
Legislative Council Staff
Subjects:
  • General Assembly


Issue Briefs

Overview of Minimum Wage Laws

Federal law requires employers to pay their employees a minimum hourly wage. States have the authority to set different pay standards than the federal minimum wage requirement. However, when the state and federal law differ, such as in Colorado, the higher wage prevails. This issue brief provides an overview and history of federal and Colorado minimum wage laws and provides a summary of how other states compare to the federal standard. 

Release date:
Publishing Agency:
Legislative Council Staff
Subjects:
  • Business & Economic Development
  • Labor & Employment

Issue Briefs

Regional Accountable Entities (19-20)

This issue brief provides an overview of Regional Accountable Entities, organizations responsible for coordinating the physical and behavioral health care of the state’s Medicaid members.

Release date:
Publishing Agency:
Legislative Council Staff
Subjects:
  • Health Care & Health Insurance
  • Local Government

Issue Briefs

Aquatic Nuisance Species Program

Aquatic nuisance species (ANS) are invasive animals, plants, and disease-causing pathogens that can affect lakes, reservoirs, rivers, streams, and wetlands. This issue brief provides an explanation of ANS and an overview of the Colorado ANS Program. 

Release date:
Publishing Agency:
Legislative Council Staff
Subjects:
  • Natural Resources & Environment
  • Water

Issue Briefs

Specific Ownership Tax

In place of property taxes, Coloradans pay the specific ownership tax (SOT) on their vehicles. This issue brief provides an overview of the SOT, including how it is calculated, collected, and distributed.

Release date:
Publishing Agency:
Legislative Council Staff
Subjects:
  • Transportation & Motor Vehicles





Staff Publications

Overview of Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence (AI) is an emerging technology that has the potential to reshape the economy. Although AI research has been conducted for decades, products are now proliferating due in part to advances in computing power. This memorandum explores basic topics in contemporary AI. It describes several limitations and misconceptions about AI and discusses AI regulation in Colorado.

Release date:
Publishing Agency:
Legislative Council Staff
Subjects:
  • Business & Economic Development