Briefed by the Bell — Colorado Fiscal Policy
Our third in a continuing series — Briefed by the Bell — looks at Colorado fiscal policy. Read our earlier briefs on wages and family security now.
What You Should Know About Colorado Fiscal Policy
Despite our strong economy, Colorado faces real fiscal problems. This is largely brought on by measures like TABOR and the Gallagher Amendment. Together, these provisions make funding public services extremely difficult and hamstring Colorado fiscal policy.
The lack of investment in public services like education, transportation, and housing have consequences felt by all Coloradans. Unfortunately, these consequences are often reflected in the tightened budgets of families across the state.
- Half of Colorado school districts are on four-day weeks and Colorado teachers rank 46th in the nation in average pay
- Colorado’s transportation needs are projected to exceed its revenues by $25 billion over the next 25 years
- About one-third of 4-year-old students who qualify for Colorado Preschool Program aren’t served because of lack of funding
- Colorado families pay twice as much for tuition costs at public colleges and universities than they did in 2000
Colorado is growing because people value the Colorado way of life, but with that lifestyle comes certain challenges. Policies adopted decades ago continue to haunt our state. In order to serve all Coloradans, we must invest in our future and our state.
Next fiscal year, Colorado is expected to exceed TABOR revenue caps. In our latest Briefed by the Bell, we explore what this means for Colorado fiscal policy and what steps our elected officials can take to ensure all Coloradans reap the benefits of our booming state economy.
Other Bell resources on Colorado fiscal policy:
- Stop Digging: Colorado Needs Strong Public Investments
- Colorado’s Economy: Strong Yet Uneven
- TABOR: Restrictive Tax Limit Curbs Economic Mobility in Colorado
- Colorado’s Budget: In Plain Talk
- Understanding Colorado’s Fiscal Challenges in 14 Charts
