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• Final arguments expected in school funding suit

  September 2, 2011 10:25 AM

  DENVER (AP) - Attorneys are expected to deliver final arguments in a lawsuit challenging how Colorado funds its education system. The lawsuit against the state claims that Colorado has violated its constitutional promise to provide a "thorough and uniform" education system and poor communities are at a disadvantage. State officials... more »

• Pitkin County projecting bigger budget surplus

  July 24, 2011 10:45 AM

  ASPEN, Colo. (AP) - Pitkin County's finance department is projecting a bigger budget surplus for the county than expected this year. The Aspen Daily News reports the county forecast a surplus of about $746,000 for 2011. But with sales tax revenues and treasurer's fees through May coming in higher... more »

• Marijuana taxes could help Pueblo alcohol treatment program

  April 1, 2011 1:45 PM

  DENVER (AP) - Marijuana taxes could save the day for an endangered drug and alcohol treatment program threatened by state budget cuts. A bill cleared for a House debate Friday sends $1 million worth of sales taxes collected from medical marijuana sales to the Circle Program at the Colorado... more »

• Hickenlooper proposes cuts to schools, parks, prisons

  February 15, 2011 10:07 PM

  Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper has put together his plan to balance the state budget with its billion-dollar shortfall. The biggest cuts would come to Colorado's public schools. "Make no mistake, the choices we are making today will hurt," says Governor Hickenlooper. The Democrat's proposal would cut $375 million... more »

• Budget panel takes $2 million from state agency

  February 2, 2011 7:33 AM

  DENVER (AP)-The Colorado Legislature's budget writing committee has voted to take $2 million from a cash fund in the secretary of state's office to help with a $1.1 billion shortfall. Secretary of State Scott Gessler has said he planned to keep $3.5 million for his office that his predecessor... more »

• Tempers short as legislators battle over budget

  January 25, 2011 3:44 PM

  DENVER (AP) - Colorado politicians are debating big changes to how the state spends taxes as they hunker down into their most pressing problem - another year of dwindling budgets and painful spending cuts. No one in the Capitol seems to doubt that Colorado needs to make big changes... more »

• Colorado homeowners face lower property values

  December 21, 2010 8:32 AM

  DENVER (AP) -Property values are dropping in Colorado and that could mean even more budget woes from the state to the local level. Colorado will have enough money in its general account to cover current spending levels, but a new revenue forecast warns the state could face a $1... more »

• Colo amasses $3.7 bil in unpaid obligations

  December 5, 2010 5:03 PM

  DENVER (AP) - In its struggles to deliver balanced state budgets over the past 10 years, Colorado has amassed $3.7 billion in obligations it may never pay. That sum includes severance taxes taken from municipalities, funds for tourism promotion and waste tire cleanup, and prison and school bus costs... more »

• New State House leader wants input on state budget

  November 4, 2010 7:21 PM

  DENVER (AP) - Republican state Rep. Frank McNulty says he plans to take Gov.-elect John Hickenlooper up on his offer to meet to discuss the budget. McNulty of Highlands Ranch was chosen to be House speaker after the GOP appeared poised to win a razor-thin, 33-32 majority. Hickenlooper on... more »

• More state budget cuts to be announced today

  October 22, 2010 8:56 AM

  DENVER (AP) - Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter is ready to announce his plan to deal with a $262 million revenue shortfall to balance this year's budget. That will be on top of the estimated $1.1 billion lawmakers will be forced to cut next year. The balancing plan being... more »

• Colorado faces more red ink

  June 21, 2010 1:08 PM

  Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter is going to be getting out the budget ax. State budget forecasters told lawmakers on Monday that there are insufficient funds to pay the bills for this fiscal year and the new fiscal year beginning July 1. According to the governor's budget office, Colorado will... more »

• Colorado budget adds $9.4M to open new prison unit

  April 6, 2010 9:43 AM

  State senators are preparing to vote on some big spending cuts this week, including a $130 million reduction for public schools. But spending will still increase in some areas within the overall $18.2 billion budget. The budget adds $9.4 million to open a solitary confinement unit at a new branch... more »

• Colorado to dole out $18M for energy-saving measures

  April 6, 2010 9:02 AM

  The Governor's Energy Office is kicking off a campaign making $18 million in rebates available for Coloradans to buy energy-saving appliances and make their homes more energy efficient. Energy Office Director Tom Plant will discuss the "Recharge Colorado" program Tuesday at the Sears store in Denver's Cherry Creek neighborhood. The... more »

• School to close in La Junta to save money

  April 2, 2010 3:42 PM

  The La Junta public school district board has voted to close La Junta Intermediate School next fall to save an estimated $770,000. Superintendent Jim Sullivan says the district projects a $1 million drop in revenue next school year due to declining enrollment and state budget cuts. Enrollment is expected... more »

• McInnis: Tax hikes not the answer for Colorado budget

  February 16, 2010 10:02 AM

  GOP gubernatorial candidate Scott McInnis says Democrats who propose taxing candy and soda to help balance the state budget are cremating jobs, not creating them. McInnis spoke Monday at a Denver plant of The Pepsi Bottling Group, which says it could lose jobs if customers have to pay more for... more »

• Colorado lawmakers approve fuel tax

  February 1, 2010 6:37 PM

  The Colorado House has given tentative approval to a bill that would eliminate a tax exemption for energy used in manufacturing, transportation and agriculture. Gov. Bill Ritter proposed going after the tax breaks after the state was forced to cut $2 billion from this year's budget and another $1... more »

• Some DUI crackdowns may fall to Colorado budget ax

  September 2, 2009 10:09 AM

  Stepped-up enforcement of drunken-driving laws on holiday weekends may be a casualty of Colorado's budget crisis. The Denver Post reported Wednesday that Gov. Bill Ritter wants to divert $1.3 million from DUI enforcement to help close an estimated $320 million budget shortfall. The DUI money is collected from a surcharge... more »