budget
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Douglas County school board faces $22M budget deficit
The Douglas County School Board on Tuesday previewed its proposed 2026–27 budget amid declining enrollment and a projected $22 million deficit. District officials said the shortfall will be partially covered by a one-time drawdown of the district’s general fund, bringing the balance in line with pre-COVID levels. However, leaders warned the approach is temporary and…
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Colorado lawmakers cut newer programs to close $1.2 billion budget shortfall
With Colorado facing a budget gap exceeding $1.2 billion, lawmakers are preparing to wind down or sharply reduce a slate of recently-created programs — from teacher training to wildfire mitigation — as they search for for savings across state government. While some of these newer programs will continue with reduced funding, others are being eliminated…
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Senate Democrats outline amendment strategy as budget debate nears
Members of the Colorado Senate met with their respective caucuses on Tuesday to discuss the state’s proposed $46.8 billion budget for fiscal year 2026-2027, which passed through the House over the weekend following lengthy debate. The full Senate will begin debating the budget on Wednesday. Joint Budget Committee members Sens. Jeff Bridges and Judy Amabile…
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Colorado legislators drove up cost of Medicaid program
Some of Colorado’s spending woes in Medicaid can be traced to lawmakers who had approved new or expanded programs in the last few years, driving up state costs to the tune of tens of millions of dollars. Just three measures passed in the past five years, for example, would cost the state more than $80…
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Colorado lawmakers hear from chief justice about security needs, new judges
Chief Justice Monica M. Márquez asked members of the legislature’s Joint Budget Committee on Tuesday to stay the course and fund the 10 new trial judgeships that Colorado lawmakers approved last year, and also explained her vision for enhancing judicial branch security. Responding to questions generated by committee members after a hearing last month on…
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No TABOR refunds this year, as Colorado Gov. Polis warns of tight fiscal outlook
Gov. Jared Polis on Friday submitted revised budget requests for the next two fiscal years, calling for new public safety spending, changes to Medicaid growth, and renewed efforts to privatize Pinnacol Assurance. Notably, the governor said Colorado residents won’t get refunds from the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR). “We are focused on protecting the issues…
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Aurora develops retail strategy as sales tax levels flatten
Over the past year, Aurora staff have worked on developing a citywide retail strategy, assessing business throughout the city and outlining goals to move forward as retail sales tax levels flatten. Sales tax revenue in Aurora has remained flat over the last two years, causing the city to move toward a budget deficit in coming…
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Colorado’s government spending has outpaced inflation, analysis finds
Colorado’s per-person spending has increased by 31% over the last two decades, despite slowed population growth, according to a new analysis by the Common Sense Institute. The annual report compares state spending by department over the last 20 years, tracking appropriations trends, comparing growth relative to inflation and population, and determining whether Coloradans are likely…
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Monument closes budget gap, despite flat revenue projections
The town of Monument is finalizing its budget for 2026 after working through what town officials previously described as a financial crisis. The budget offsets stalled sales tax revenue and deficit spending in the town north of Colorado Springs. The latest figures see the town ending 2025 with a 32.73% general fund reserve of about…
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Adams County adopts $900M budget amidst worries about future revenue
Adams County commissioners unanimously adopted the 2026 county budget Tuesday, setting the county up to spend almost $900 million next year. The county’s budget is set at more than $876.5 million, a $45 million increase from the county’s 2025 budget, and budget officials expressed concerns about revenue reductions starting in 2027. This year’s adopted budget…