Bill > SB180

This bill modifies how Colorado calculates state population growth for fiscal year spending purposes under the state constitution. Specifically, the bill addresses issues of double-counting and under-counting population estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau. For state fiscal years before July 1, 2024, population change will continue to be calculated using the Census Bureau's December population estimates with July 1 reference dates. Starting July 1, 2024, the bill establishes a new method for calculating population change that aims to more accurately reflect population growth by comparing consecutive years' population estimates. The bill includes legislative findings that explain previous calculation methods resulted in inaccurate population estimates that could inappropriately increase or decrease state fiscal year spending limits. The legislation allows for carrying forward population change adjustments for up to nine fiscal years and provides a mechanism for adding unused adjustments to subsequent years' population change calculations. By making these changes, the bill seeks to create a more precise and fair method of determining population growth for state budget calculations, acknowledging the complexities of population estimation and the potential fiscal impacts of these calculations.

Budget and Finance

https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb25-180