2026-27 Long Appropriations Bill

Plain English: The amendment changes the budget allocations for several departments in Colorado by reducing funds for corrections and public health while increasing funding for auto theft prevention.

• Reduces the General Fund allocation to the Superintendent Subprogram in the Department of Corrections from $14,571,090 to $13,071,090.
• Reduces the General Fund allocation to the Disease Control and Public Health Response Division in the Department of Public Health and Environment from $8,936,546 to $7,436,546.
• Increases the General Fund allocation to the Colorado Auto Theft Prevention Authority in the Department of Public Safety by adding $3,000,000.

• The exact impact on specific programs within each department is not detailed and may require further clarification.

Plain English: The amendment changes the daily payment rate for private prisons and adjusts funding allocations accordingly.

• Reduces the per-diem rate for private prisons in Colorado's Department of Corrections, decreasing the General Fund appropriation by $4.9 million.
• Increases Medical Services Premiums in Health Care Policy and Financing by $16.3 million total funds to cover a higher non-emergency medical transportation pickup fee.

• The exact impact on other departments or programs is not detailed in the provided amendment text.

Plain English: The amendment reduces funding for the Office of Film, Television, and Media and Tourism Promotion by a total of $300,000 and increases funding for offender treatment programs in the Judicial Department.

• Reduces appropriations to the Office of Film, Television, and Media by $200,000 General Fund.
• Reduces appropriations for Tourism Promotion by $100,000 General Fund.
• Increases funding for Offender Treatment and Services in the Judicial Department by $300,000 General Fund.

• The exact impact on specific programs within the Office of Film, Television, and Media and Tourism Promotion is not detailed.

Plain English: The amendment reduces funding to the Governor's Office and increases funding for the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing.

• Reduces General Fund allocation from $742,750 to $470,960 for the Colorado Office of Film, Television, and Media within the Governor's Office budget.
• Increases General Fund allocation by $271,790 for the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing.

• The exact impact on specific programs or services is not detailed in the amendment text.

Plain English: The amendment changes the funding amounts for several programs in Colorado's budget by reducing funds for corrections and public health while increasing funds for auto theft prevention.

• Reduces General Fund allocation to the Superintendent Subprogram in Corrections from $14,571,090 to $13,071,090.
• Reduces General Fund allocation to the Disease Control and Public Health Response Division from $8,936,546 to $7,436,546.
• Increases General Fund allocation to the Colorado Auto Theft Prevention Authority by adding $3,000,000.

• The exact impact on specific programs and services is not detailed in this amendment text.

Plain English: The amendment changes the funding allocation for a construction project by adjusting numbers in specific columns of the bill.

• Inserts '2,564,100' in the CAPITAL CONSTRUCTION FUND column on page 582, line 14.
• Strikes out '2,564,100a' in the CASH FUNDS column on the same location.
• Removes lines 1 and 2 from page 583.

• The exact nature of the construction project being funded is not specified in the amendment text.

Plain English: This amendment reverses several House amendments that altered funding and staffing levels in various departments of Colorado's state government.

• Removes special needs parole funding from the Department of Corrections and contracts with private nursing homes funding from the Department of Human Services.
• Restores $74,654 cash funds to the Governor's Mansion Maintenance Fund and adjusts related figures in other departments.
• Reinstates original appropriations for the Office of Film, Television, and Media and Tourism Promotion within the Governor’s office, while adjusting the Judicial Department's Offender Treatment and Services line item.
• Restores $245,021 General Fund from Medical Services Premiums back to General Professional Services in the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing.

• The amendment text does not provide detailed explanations for all changes, making it difficult to fully understand some adjustments.
• Some fiscal impacts are neutralized but do not specify how departments will manage budget reductions or additions.

Plain English: The amendment reduces the budget for the Governor's Office and Residence by $45,000 and specifies that this money should not be used to pay the chief executive of a specific health care office.

• Reduces the appropriation for the Administration of the Governor's Office and Residence by $45,000.
• Adds a footnote stating that the funds cannot be used for the salary of the chief executive of the Office of Saving People Money on Health Care until January 1, 2027.

• The amendment text does not provide details about how the $45,000 reduction will affect other parts of the budget or operations.

Plain English: The amendment increases the total funding for Colorado's Department of Health Care Policy and Financing by $6.1 million while reducing funding for the Office of Gun Violence Prevention.

• Increases the total funds allocated to the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing by $6.1 million, including $3.1 million from the General Fund.
• Reduces appropriations for the Office of Gun Violence Prevention in the Department of Public Health and Environment by $3.1 million General Fund and eliminates 4 full-time equivalent positions.

• The exact details of how the additional funds will be used are not specified in the amendment text.
• The removal of funding for the Office of Gun Violence Prevention may affect its operations, but specifics on this impact are not provided.

Plain English: The amendment increases funding for the Agricultural Workforce Services by $224,739 and decreases Program Costs in Labor Standards by the same amount.

• Increases the budget for Agricultural Workforce Services within the Department of Agriculture by $224,739 from the General Fund.
• Decreases the Program Costs line item in the Labor Standards subdivision of the Division of Labor Standards and Statistics within the Department of Labor and Employment by $224,739 from the General Fund.

• The amendment does not provide details on how the increased funding for Agricultural Workforce Services will be used.
• There is no information about the specific programs or services that will lose funding within Labor Standards and Statistics due to this reduction.

Plain English: The amendment increases funding for childhood maltreatment prevention by $480,000 and decreases funding for the Colorado Equity Office by the same amount.

• Increases the budget for Childhood Maltreatment Prevention in the Department of Early Childhood by $480,000 from the General Fund.
• Decreases the budget for the Colorado Equity Office in the Department of Personnel by $480,000 from the General Fund.

• The amendment does not provide details on how the reduced funding will affect specific programs or services within the Colorado Equity Office.

Plain English: The amendment adds a new section to the bill that states the General Assembly's intention for inmates working in Correctional Industries to receive 'dress out'.

• Adds a new subsection called '10a Department of Corrections, Institutions Superintendents Subprogram, Dress Out' on page 55 after line 9.
• This new section expresses the General Assembly's intent that inmates working in Correctional Industries should receive 'dress out'.

• The amendment does not specify what exactly 'dress out' means or how it will be implemented.

Plain English: The amendment adds a new requirement for the Office of Information Technology to delay software upgrades or purchases over $50,000 for three years unless they are necessary for security reasons.

• Adds a new footnote (16a) that requires the Office of Information Technology to postpone any software upgrade or purchase exceeding $50,000 for three years, except when it is needed for security updates, compliance, or addressing cybersecurity threats.

• The amendment does not specify how delays will be enforced or what happens if a delay causes significant issues.
• It's unclear whether this requirement applies to all software purchases or only those made by the Office of Information Technology.

Plain English: The amendment removes funding for the Office of Climate Preparedness in the Governor's office.

• Eliminates $464,286 in funding from the budget for the Office of Climate Preparedness.
• Reduces the number of full-time employees (FTEs) by 3.0 positions.

• The amendment does not specify what will happen to the responsibilities or functions of the Office of Climate Preparedness after funding is removed.

Plain English: The amendment changes the funding amounts for certain items in the budget, reallocating money from reproductive health care to a senior dental program.

• Changes the amount allocated under 'Reproductive Health Care for Individuals Not Eligible for Medicaid' from $1,990,358 to $3,490,358 and from $1,962,510 to $3,462,510 in the General Fund.
• Reduces the amount allocated under 'Health Care Policy and Financing' from $2,075,724 to $575,724 in both the ITEM & SUBTOTAL column and the GENERAL FUND column.

• The exact purpose of changing these specific numbers is not fully explained beyond reallocating funds for a senior dental program.
• There are no details provided about how this change will affect the overall budget or the services provided by the programs involved.

Plain English: The amendment reduces the funding for Health Care Policy and Financing by $19.1 million and reallocates this money to increase provider rates.

• Reduces the General Fund allocation for Health Care Policy and Financing by approximately $19.1 million, including a reduction of about $7.2 million in General Fund.
• Increases provider rates by approximately $19.0 million total funds, with around $7.2 million coming from the General Fund.

• The exact impact on other departments and totals is not fully detailed beyond adjustments mentioned.

Plain English: The amendment changes the budget allocations for various departments in Colorado, including increasing funding for veteran mental health services and reducing funds for other administrative areas.

• Increases $1 million General Fund for Veteran Mental Health Services in the Department of Human Services.
• Reduces the Office of New Americans by $53,204 General Fund.
• Removes $300,000 General Fund for state employee tuition reimbursement in the Department of Personnel.
• Decreases funding for other administrative areas such as the Governor's office and the Executive Director's Office of the Department of Revenue.

• The exact impact on specific programs or services within each department is not detailed in the amendment text.

Plain English: The amendment reduces funding for the Imagination Library of Colorado by changing its budget from $1,624,365 to $200,000 and specifies that this remaining money should be used only for low-income children.

• Reduces the funding for the Imagination Library of Colorado from $1,624,365 to $200,000 in the General Fund column.
• Adds a statement expressing the intent that the remaining funds should be used exclusively for low-income children.

• The amendment text does not provide details on how the reduction will affect services or programs beyond specifying funding levels and target populations.

Plain English: The amendment changes the budget allocation by reducing funding for the Office of Climate Preparedness and reallocating those funds to Rural Economic Development Initiative Grants.

• Reduces General Fund allocation from $500,000 to $964,286 for the Office of Climate Preparedness in the Governor's office.
• Increases funding by $464,286 for Rural Economic Development Initiative Grants within the Department of Local Affairs.

• The exact purpose and impact of reducing funds from $500,000 to $964,286 is unclear due to a discrepancy in the amendment text.
• Details on how this reallocation will affect specific programs or outcomes are not provided.

Plain English: The amendment removes funding for the Universal Home Visiting Pilot Program in Colorado's Department of Early Childhood.

• Removes $2,528,842 from the budget allocated to the Universal Home Visiting Pilot Program.

• The exact impact on program operations and services is not detailed in the amendment text.

Plain English: The amendment reduces the funding for Health Care Policy and Financing by $19.1 million in total funds, including specific reductions across different fund types.

• Reduces the General Fund amount from $81,750,783 to $62,623,785.
• Adjusts other funding amounts on pages 126 and 127 as specified in the amendment text.
• Decreases the total funds for Health Care Policy and Financing by $19.1 million.

• The exact impact of these changes on specific programs or services is not detailed in the provided information.

Plain English: The amendment reduces funding for the Universal Preschool Program by $13.9 million and adds a new project for security improvements at Delta Correctional Facility.

• Reduces the budget for the Universal Preschool Program in Colorado's Department of Early Childhood by $13,926,353 from the General Fund.
• Adds a new item to fund Level 2 Perimeter Security improvements at Delta Correctional Facility with an increase of $13,926,353 from the Capital Construction Fund.

• The exact impact on other parts of the budget is not detailed in this amendment text.
• It's unclear how this change will affect early childhood education programs beyond the Universal Preschool Program.

Plain English: The amendment adjusts funding allocations within the Health Care Policy and Financing section of the bill by reallocating General Fund money from one category to another and updating total figures accordingly.

• Reduces the amount in the ITEM & SUBTOTAL column on page 126, line 14, from $57,222,093 to $56,672,070.
• Adjusts several amounts on pages 126 and 134 by reducing figures in various columns and substituting new totals.
• Reallocates General Fund money within Health Care Policy and Financing from 'General Professional Services' to 'Medical Services Premiums', increasing the total funds available for Medical Services Premiums.

• The exact impact of these changes on specific departments or programs is not detailed in the provided amendment text.
• Some technical adjustments are mentioned but their full implications may require additional context to fully understand.

Plain English: The amendment reduces the funding for the Administration of Governor's Office and Residence by $3 million from the General Fund.

• Reduces the amount in the ITEM & SUBTOTAL column from $6,619,924 to $3,619,924.
• Decreases the amount in the GENERAL FUND column from $6,012,928 to $3,012,928.

• The exact impact on other parts of the budget is not detailed in this amendment text.

Plain English: The amendment reduces the budget for certain offices in Colorado's state government by changing specific dollar amounts.

• Reduces the General Fund amount from $6,619,924 to $6,364,289 for a particular item on page 107 of the bill.
• Decreases another General Fund amount from $553,711 to $523,699 on page 113 of the bill.
• Lowers yet another General Fund amount from $105,903 to $99,290 and reduces a related figure from $29,379 to $22,766 on page 114 of the bill.

• The exact purpose or impact of these specific reductions is not detailed in the provided amendment text.
• It's unclear which particular offices or programs are affected by these changes beyond mentioning the Office of the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and State Planning and Budgeting.

Plain English: The amendment reduces appropriations for information technology accessibility by $2.5 million statewide.

• Reduces the amount of money allocated for information technology accessibility from $2,457,099 to $2,355,494.
• Adjusts various totals and figures throughout the bill accordingly.

• The amendment text does not provide specific details about how the reduction will affect individual departments or programs beyond agriculture, corrections, early childhood education, education, governor's office, health care policy and financing, human services, justice, labor and employment, local government, natural resources, public health and environment, transportation, and veterans affairs.

Plain English: The amendment removes funding for the Parents Encouraging Parents Conferences from the Department of Education's budget.

• Removes $50,000 in appropriations for the Parents Encouraging Parents Conferences program within the Department of Education.

• The amendment text does not specify how the removal of funding will affect other programs or services provided by the Department of Education.

Plain English: The amendment increases funding for the Agricultural Workforce Services in the Department of Agriculture by $300,000 and decreases funding for State Employee Tuition Reimbursement in the Department of Personnel by $300,000.

• Increases the budget for Agricultural Workforce Services in the Department of Agriculture by $300,000 from the General Fund.
• Decreases the budget for State Employee Tuition Reimbursement in the Department of Personnel by $300,000 from the General Fund.

• The amendment does not provide details on how the funds will be used within each department.

Plain English: The amendment reduces funding for the Office of Saving People Money on Healthcare by decreasing the budget and staff positions in the Governor's office.

• Reduces the General Fund appropriation from $6,619,924 to $6,134,649.
• Decreases Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) positions from 44.4 to 41.7 in the Governor's office.
• Cuts funding by $485,275 General Fund and reduces FTEs by 2.7.

• The exact impact on specific programs or services within the Office of Saving People Money on Healthcare is not detailed in this amendment text.

Plain English: The amendment increases the budget for the Office of the Governor by $528,964 and decreases the budget for the Department of Personnel's Equity Office by the same amount.

• Increases appropriations to the Office of the Governor by $528,964 from the General Fund.
• Decreases appropriations to the Department of Personnel's Equity Office by $528,964 from the General Fund.

• The exact impact on specific programs or services within these departments is not detailed in the amendment text.

Plain English: The amendment increases funding for conservation grants in the Department of Agriculture by $200,000 and decreases state employee tuition reimbursement funds by $200,000.

• Increases the budget for conservation grants in the Department of Agriculture by $200,000 from the General Fund.
• Decreases the State Employee Tuition Reimbursement fund by $200,000 from the General Fund.

• The amendment does not provide details on how the funds will be allocated within the Department of Agriculture or the specific impact on state employees' tuition reimbursement.

Plain English: The amendment reduces funding for the Office of Film, Television, and Media and Tourism Promotion by $300,000 and increases funding for offender treatment programs in the Judicial Department.

• Reduces appropriations to the Office of Film, Television, and Media and Tourism Promotion by a total of $300,000 from the General Fund.
• Increases appropriations to the Offender Treatment and Services line item within the Judicial Department by $300,000 from the General Fund.

• The amendment text does not provide specific details on how the reduced funds will affect operations or services in the Office of Film, Television, and Media and Tourism Promotion.
• It is unclear what specific programs within Offender Treatment and Services will receive the additional funding.

Plain English: The amendment reduces the funding for the Governor's Mansion Activity Fund and increases the Colorado State Veterans Trust Fund Expenditures by an equal amount.

• Reduces the Mansion Activity Fund in the Office of the Governor by $74,654 from the Governor's Mansion Maintenance Fund.
• Increases the Colorado State Veterans Trust Fund Expenditures in the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs by $74,654.

• The exact impact on specific activities or projects within these funds is not detailed in the amendment text.

Plain English: The amendment reduces the amount of money allocated to the Colorado Energy Office within the Governor's office by $102,600.

• Reduces the General Fund appropriations for the Colorado Energy Office from $4,307,442 to $4,204,842.

• The amendment text does not provide details on how this reduction will affect specific programs or services of the Colorado Energy Office.

Plain English: The amendment reduces funding for certain state programs and adds funds to the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing.

• Reduces $2.5 million from the Universal Home Visiting Pilot Program in the Department of Early Childhood.
• Cuts $1.3 million from office administration in the Office of the Governor.
• Decreases $2.5 million for immunization outreach and administration in the Department of Public Health and Environment.
• Adds $6.3 million General Fund to the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing for Adult Waiver Services.

• The exact impact on specific programs or services is not detailed beyond the funding changes listed.

Plain English: The amendment reduces funding for certain decarbonization programs within the Colorado Energy Office.

• Changes 'Office' to 'Office16a' on page 110, line 1.
• Removes lines 6 through 10 and line 15 from page 110.
• Strikes out lines 4 through 12 from page 111.
• Eliminates lines 1 through 4 and line 6 from page 112.

• The amendment text does not provide detailed information about the specific programs affected or how they will be impacted beyond reducing appropriations.

Plain English: The amendment adds a new footnote to the bill, stating that certain state funds should prioritize grants and financial awards for projects in designated just transition communities.

• Adds a new section (FOOTNOTES -- The following statements are referenced to the numbered footnotes throughout section 2.) on page 124 of the bill after line 4, which includes legislative intent for prioritizing grants and financial awards to projects in designated just transition communities.
• Modifies the text on page 110, line 1 by changing 'Office' to 'Office16a'.

• The exact impact of this amendment is limited because it only expresses legislative intent and does not provide specific funding or rules for implementation.

Plain English: This amendment reduces funding for the Imagination Library of Colorado by over a million dollars and increases funding for the Senior Dental Program by the same amount, while stating that remaining funds should support low-income children.

• Reduces funding for the Imagination Library of Colorado from $1,624,365 to $200,000 in General Fund money.
• Increases funding for the Senior Dental Program by $1,424,365 in General Fund money.
• Adds a statement that the remaining funds should be used to support low-income children.

• The amendment text does not provide details on how the reduction and increase will affect specific programs or services beyond what is stated.

Plain English: The amendment reduces funding to the Governor's Office by $271,790 and redirects that money to the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing.

• Reduces the General Fund allocation for the Governor's Office from $1,457,819 to $1,186,029.
• Increases the General Fund allocation for the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing by $271,790.

• The exact impact on other departments or programs is not detailed in this amendment text.

Plain English: The amendment reduces funding for two departments and increases it for another, adjusting the total budget accordingly.

• Reduces General Fund by $1.5 million each from the Superintendent Subprogram in Corrections and the Disease Control and Public Health Response Division.
• Increases General Fund by $3.0 million for the Colorado Auto Theft Prevention Authority in Public Safety.

• The exact impact on specific programs within these departments is not detailed in the amendment text.

Plain English: The amendment increases funding for the Office of Economic Development and International Trade within the Governor's office by $222,164 while reducing funding in the Labor Standards subdivision of the Department of Labor and Employment by $224,739.

• Increases General Fund to the Office of the Governor by $222,164 for various programs.
• Reduces General Fund in the Labor Standards subdivision within the Department of Labor and Employment by $224,739.

• The amendment text does not provide specific details about how the funds will be used or what programs will benefit from the increased funding.
• It is unclear which specific programs in the Office of Economic Development and International Trade will receive the additional $222,164.

Plain English: The amendment adds funding for special needs parole and contracts with private nursing homes in Colorado.

• Adds a new line item of $1 General Fund for 'Special Needs Parole' under the Department of Corrections.
• Adds a new line item of $1 General Fund for 'Contracts with Private Nursing Homes' under the Department of Human Services.

• The exact details and purposes of these new funding allocations are not fully explained in the provided text.

Plain English: The amendment changes the budget for drug and alcohol treatment programs in corrections by adding $2 million, while reducing funding for school-based health centers by $2 million.

• Increases the Drug and Alcohol Treatment Subprogram in Corrections by $2.0 million General Fund.
• Decreases School-based Health Centers in Public Health and Environment by $2.0 million General Fund.

• The amendment does not provide details on how these budget changes will affect specific programs or services within each department.

Plain English: The amendment increases the budget for certain items in Colorado's appropriations bill by adding over $6 million to fund adult waiver services.

• Increases the total funds allocated on page 137, line 15 from $941,328,819 to $947,914,547.
• Increases the total funds allocated on page 138, line 8 from $1,382,017,560 to $1,388,603,288.
• Adds $3.3 million General Fund and $3.3 million Federal Funds to support adult waiver services.

• The exact details of how the funds will be used beyond supporting adult waiver services are not specified in this amendment text.

Plain English: The amendment increases funding for the Department of Human Services to improve administration of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

• Increases General Fund allocation from $4,497,215 to $4,663,882.
• Increases Federal Funds allocation from $1,644,747(I) to $1,686,414(I).
• Adds a total of $166,667 in funds for the Department of Human Services, including $125,000 from the General Fund and $41,667 from Federal Funds.

• The exact details on how these additional funds will be used are not provided beyond improving SNAP administration.

Plain English: The amendment reduces funding for reproductive health care and an immigration legal defense fund in Colorado.

• Reduces the General Fund to the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing by $1,037,862 for reproductive health care services for individuals not eligible for Medicaid.
• Cuts the General Fund to the Department of Labor and Employment by $175,000 for the Immigration Legal Defense Fund.

• The amendment does not provide details on how these reductions will affect specific programs or services.

Plain English: The amendment increases the total funding for Colorado's state budget by $543,580 to delay a limit on caregiver hours.

• Increases the total funds in the bill from $15,196,700,682 to $15,197,244,262.
• Adds $0.3 million to the General Fund and adjusts other fund amounts accordingly.
• Provides additional funding specifically for the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing.

• The exact details on how the funds will be used beyond delaying caregiver hour limits are not provided in the amendment text.

Plain English: The amendment reduces the per-diem rate for private prisons and increases funding for non-emergency medical transportation fees.

• Changes the per-diem rate for private prisons from $77.16 to $73.00, reducing the appropriation by $4.9 million General Fund.
• Increases Medical Services Premiums in Health Care Policy and Financing by $16.3 million total funds, including a non-emergency medical transportation pickup fee of $20.

• The exact impact on other departments or programs is not detailed beyond the specified changes.

Plain English: The amendment reduces the budget for various departments in Colorado by cutting three percent from general fund and cash fund appropriations for personal services positions.

• Reduces general fund and cash fund appropriations for personal service positions (FTE) across multiple state departments by three percent, except for the Legislative Department.

• The amendment does not specify how the reductions will be implemented or what specific impacts they might have on services provided by each department.
• It is unclear if there are any exceptions beyond the Legislative Department that would not be subject to these cuts.

Plain English: The amendment increases the budget for the Department of the Treasury by adding cash funds and full-time equivalent positions.

• Increases the amount in the ITEM & SUBTOTAL column from $1,951,466 to $2,183,472.
• Increases the amount in the CASH FUNDS column from $1,951,466a to $2,183,472a.
• Changes the FTE (Full-Time Equivalent) number from 24.0 to 27.0.
• Adjusts other amounts and totals as needed.

• The exact details of how these funds will be used are not provided in the amendment text.

Plain English: The amendment updates a footnote to clarify that the General Fund should only be used for wolf management and not for reintroducing new wolves, and it specifies that funds for reintroduction must come from gifts, grants, or donations.

• Strikes 'Operations79, 80' on page 365 line 6 and substitutes with 'Operations79,79a,80'.
• Strikes 'reintroduction and' on page 377 line 5.
• Strikes 'wolves.' on page 377 line 6 and substitutes with 'wolves, and not the reintroduction of new wolves.'
• Adds a new section (footnote) after line 7 on page 377 to express legislative intent that funding for wolf reintroduction should only come from gifts, grants, or donations.

• The amendment text does not provide specific details about the current status of wolf reintroduction efforts in Colorado.