[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6120707,"mediaKeyId","2706254-4cb7305e6dbf782865b0251ac04ef5cc","parentId",2706254,"title","JBC adds footnotes and requests data on wolf reintroduction funding, continues technical parks adjustments","audioSeconds",239,"startMs",2688000,"endMs",2927000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2706254-4cb7305e6dbf782865b0251ac04ef5cc&start=2688&end=2927","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2706254-4cb7305e6dbf782865b0251ac04ef5cc/thumbnail_2688000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6120707/Colorado/JBC-adds-footnotes-and-requests-data-on-wolf-reintroduction-funding-continues-technical-parks-adjustments","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6120707-bce1eaeab8c40517bd4d5e4ab365836f/orig.mp4?Expires=1773590787&Signature=LPmP9q5nLdJRMpFPkg8z4eoverRfqj1Q0l2oVZ-WT6mmHJ8sfCDs9R1Emb4RZ3VYiddHw6Y-PZQ4RU1yb3uaGtm0TflWBqgBA4fptC1QZqsFA8xO7l~~M4bgAhptGIn6iJLbjpbghXUiv-bshPs8EIzP7CxRt~hWDEDxJ~1M7fyrH-zxYZLtUflyCRCNVYP89cOW~pGQDMUPTz4RActIN8T~pHgfAQ21w2tmaIcBSt1Hz0xSr9Z4GenJqVHB48ugT07MJi9c4lDF68OZ42EGJeVC3k-v6htnAv-xlu2J-B49oMmR5nEQPrFfNReqUAbO9D2Ka9BkkgFrKKmBSrR-rQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Colorado Legislature","date","2025-03-17T00:00:00Z","article","Kelly Shen, JVC staff, presented technical adjustments and proposed footnotes for the Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) budget items, including footnotes related to Proposition 114 and a request-for-information (RFI) on wolf depredation compensation and reporting.

Shen said a longstanding footnote (in place since 2018–2019) that allows limited flexibility between two line items but preserves transparency should remain. She recommended reinstating a footnote that identifies the General Fund amount in the wildlife operations line as specifically for implementing Proposition 114 (wolf reintroduction), noting the footnote had been included in prior long bills. Shen also proposed a new, lengthier footnote articulating the General Assembly's intent to make General Fund spending for the wolf reintroduction line contingent on CPW's completion of specified, state-funded preventative measures as discussed at the Parks and Wildlife Commission's January 8 meeting. Shen noted that making funds legally contingent would require a bill; the proposed footnote signals legislative intent and asks for reports and information to the committee.

The nut graf: The additions are intended to preserve legislative intent around Proposition 114 appropriations and to give the committee more granular data about wolf depredation claims and preventative measures without creating a statutory contingency that would require separate legislation.

Shen told the committee there are already public reports on claims and an annual statutory report related to wolf depredation compensation; those reports do not always split direct vs. indirect damages. The committee asked staff to pursue an RFI if the committee wants fiscal-year-based, itemized reporting (for example, separating direct livestock losses from indirect losses). Committee members discussed veto risk if a footnote is included and the governor chooses to veto provisions; Shen noted a veto is possible and the committee could pursue alternative legislative routes if necessary.

Motion and vote: The committee moved staff recommendations to reinstate technical CPW adjustments, restore the Proposition 114 footnote, add the proposed intent footnote, and request additional reporting/RFIs. The motion passed 6-0.

Ending: Staff will add the footnotes and RFI language in the figure-setting packet and ask CPW for fiscal-year-based, itemized reports on depredation claims if the committee requests them in the RFI.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Joint Budget Committee Mar 17, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Kelly Shen, JVC staff, recommended reinstating and adding footnotes in the CPW budget to reflect the General Assembly's intent on Proposition 114 spending and asked for targeted reporting on wolf depredation and compensation.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature CO, Colorado","taxId",77676,"location","Colorado","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6120722,"JBC reviews 'comeback' package: nursing incentives, jail-based competency funding, FAFSA coordinators and multiple program reprioritizations",1173,507000,1680000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2706254-4cb7305e6dbf782865b0251ac04ef5cc&start=507&end=1680","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2706254-4cb7305e6dbf782865b0251ac04ef5cc/thumbnail_507000.jpg","/articles/6120722/Colorado/JBC-reviews-comeback-package-nursing-incentives-jail-based-competency-funding-FAFSA-coordinators-and-multiple-program-reprioritizations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6120722-d13791ab1e47571dbe11bf215e6107b6/orig.mp4?Expires=1773590787&Signature=P1jzqtIBxlmmIJJwTuw5KmWqp~B5YJB8cOQWr4iQfnXsYUDOOD6~mIS4cIfX69R8og0XG9rCkU9~Febn~uQr1IaQJa2-iLaFk8avdtfdH3Q7n-gw3I1EtoW~Ikc8EhKTB9A5t~W6Mcc88MFbqOaA1iLk8JyH1esOcoL0mvITr~NYXf6pYswx9a~0KN9kaUO5grY8Zy3LgX3fDlxCnJJFejfW3dwz4ll4Vdqbn~Hr-qG5Hb-ouTTUzxdK4VsbtKnWrgoUUcJtav0JFnvXN4O~kGegK~1eeEyvPhDXVSKqNzct~spwoveXt6hOHGbATinJEcrdIVJzfgBehQrgbr5vDA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mark Ferrendino, SPV director, presented six substantive \"comebacks\" to the Joint Budget Committee that revise earlier staff requests and reallocate limited resources across multiple programs.

The nut graf: The comebacks package attempts to preserve staffing in critical health facilities and support statewide priorities while trimming or redirecting funds previously proposed for staff incentives, license-plate programs, and other initiatives.

Key items Ferrendino and staff described:
- Nursing and staffing incentives: Staff told the committee they would deprioritize $12,700,000 in staff incentives across departments and instead focus funds on nursing staffing at facilities, noting a net $3,000,000–$4,000,000 change in incentives offset by other reductions. Ferrendino said the target is to \"make sure we can keep the nursing staffing at the hospital and DOC, at the level.\" (DOC references were used in the discussion.)
- Jail-based competency funding: Perry May, Deputy Executive Director with the Department of Human Services over Health Facilities, described a proposed reduction to jail-based competency-related contracts (a 24% reduction to the program that contracts with 10 county jails). May told the committee the program provides interim mental health services and some competency education, and characterized the reduction as the department's choice for least-impact cuts given broader constraints.
- RISE program questions: Senator Sara Mablet (Senator Mablet) raised concerns about cutting programs that appear to affect competency waitlists differently. Committee members and DHS staff discussed the difference between short-term programs (such as RISE in Arapahoe County Jail) that temporarily reduce waitlists and programs that provide longer-term treatment.
- DTRS (digital trunk radio system) funding: Members asked whether the severance package accounted for DTRS; staff confirmed DTRS funding is a separate conversation and was not included in the severance proposal.
- License plate cash fund: Staff recommended a sweep of $3.4 million from a driver's license-related cash fund to support the general fund and a $3.4 million swipe to the drivers' cash fund while leaving $1.7 million in the fund to continue operations. Committee members discussed moving revenue from specialty \"black license plates\" into a nonprofit-administered trust as a long-term option to avoid TABOR constraints; staff said that approach required more study and could be pursued through an RFI.
- Marijuana Tax Cash Fund (MTCF) balancing: Ferrendino presented possible uses of MTCF reserves and emergency reserve money to smooth balancing, including reducing the distribution to local governments from 10% to 5% (a roughly $9 million reduction) and other line-item reductions. He emphasized the complexity of balancing MTCF and anticipated further staff work.
- AHEC enterprise adjustment and FAFSA outreach coordinators: Staff discussed enterprise treatment for AHEC payments and the possibility of shifting how universities remit funds to reduce TABOR impacts. On FAFSA coordinators, staff requested continued general-fund support for two positions after a change in policy on indirect cost recoveries removed the expected non-general-fund pay source. Executive Director Piccione said FAFSA outreach had helped about 10,000 people the prior year and argued the federal FAFSA returns justify the investment.

Several items in the comebacks packet remain under discussion; Ferrendino and Director Craig Harper said staff will provide updated memos and tables for the committee's next meeting. Several committee members suggested alternative offsets (including returning funding from specific bills or programs) and offered to consider those in later deliberations.

Ending: Committee members asked staff to produce more-detailed memos and figures; no single item in the comebacks packet was adopted as an immediate committee action during this session.

","Mark Ferrendino, SPV director, presented a multi-point \"comebacks\" package revising prior staff proposals to preserve critical staffing and reallocate limited resources across behavioral health, law enforcement, higher education outreach and other programs.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6120727,"JBC staff outline severance tax rebalancing package, seek committee guidance",0,520000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2706254-4cb7305e6dbf782865b0251ac04ef5cc&start=520&end=520","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2706254-4cb7305e6dbf782865b0251ac04ef5cc/thumbnail_520000.jpg","/articles/6120727/Colorado/JBC-staff-outline-severance-tax-rebalancing-package-seek-committee-guidance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6120727-dd876b43cd905f7aa9ba556d76d3d462/orig.mp4?Expires=1773590787&Signature=LDCkNc3uYIjIr3mvP7fTNlvD6a2lEA-NMJQDrPfVvGb~x9QRpYnC~KbNODo4SB5mWT0BV-bNN7UXao~PD5wwzNqc5DfBJhhJHUVX-DzhnDzpp8MPKCiSJ7tcePajbC1NDFZ5MJhmCxMUonNHhOGkr4PopTnDZQbxJI~VJ-vGpG6lhOmX3dXMvr5m~nFwLWq1bO0mitqc7azJME18BDgQzSFNhARweMsZjuW3Yte5Dr1T8sP0j49CjvmFwP2UJ~JzSP6q0XJEMw~6xWTGF0qOufx8h4ScB-ynZRFk0AW-gsgCR9xwNwZuFjo7UkMBJ2wtTSSVZoROV8yQXe3-D584mQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","For the record, Mark Ferrendino, SPV director, told the Joint Budget Committee on Monday that staff are recommending a package of severance-tax related transfers and general fund backstops to maintain core programs while preserving reserves.

Ferrendino said the office's forecast showed \"significantly less severance tax than what we had forecasted just 3 months ago,\" and that the shortfall affects programs that rely on severance receipts. \"We have a proposal of what to do,\" he told the committee, summarizing line-by-line adjustments staff will ask the committee to consider.

The nut graf: Staff framed the request as an attempt to strike a balance between using reserves to keep Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and other programs operating this year and avoiding a long-term erosion of the severance tax operational reserve.

Staff proposals described by Ferrendino included using the DNR operational 200% reserve to fund operations (reducing the reserve toward 100% for the current year), asking the committee not to enact a previously passed sweep of $15,600,000 because that revenue is not expected to materialize this year, and appropriating general fund to preserve water and energy-related project funding.

Key elements Ferrendino described:
- DNR operational reserve: use of reserve to continue funding operations this year rather than permanently lowering programmatic baselines.
- Water projects: a requested general fund appropriation of about $37.5 million plus expected severance receipts to reach roughly $40 million for water project funding in the current year.
- Energy Impact Fund and local impact: staff proposed $25,000,000 of general fund toward an energy impact fund allocation (half of an earlier $55.7 million projection) plus the expected severance receipts to reach approximately $28.2 million total for that purpose. For local impact funds, staff continued to recommend a one-year $10,000,000 DOLA transfer (not the previously proposed $20,000,000 over two years).
- Decarbonization transfer/tax credits: staff noted a multi-year transfer (based on prior legislation) that funds tax-credit administration; Ferrendino estimated roughly $2,800,000 of administrative expenses for approved credits and said any remaining funds would flow to the general fund.

Ferrendino summarized the package as \"ultimately, it's a $90,000,000 roughly ask, to get to $55,800,000 balancing,\" and said the forecast that staff presented incorporated that package. He closed by asking the committee to give staff and committee members time to work through the details and invited questions.

No formal committee vote was taken on severance allocations during the hearing; the JBC chair and committee members asked for additional staff work and for time to consider the proposals before decisions are made. Representative Patrick Taggart (Representative Taggart) asked whether the package covers both DNR and DOLA; Ferrendino confirmed it did. Representative Taggart also asked whether the package accounted for funding requests tied to the state's digital trunk radio system; Ferrendino said it did not include that and flagged DTRS funding as a separate continuing conversation.

Ending: Committee staff and members agreed to revisit severance allocations after additional analysis; Director Craig Harper (JBC staff) and Ferrendino said updated figures and staff recommendations would be provided in follow-up materials to allow the committee time to consider the tradeoffs.

","JBC staff presented a roughly $90 million severance tax proposal to cover programs reliant on severance receipts while preserving reserves, and asked the Joint Budget Committee to review allocations for DNR, water projects, energy impact and decarbonization tax-credit administration.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6120712,"JBC votes to eliminate temporary-employee authorizations tied to authorized leave; committees ask departments to justify needs",405,3246000,3651000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2706254-4cb7305e6dbf782865b0251ac04ef5cc&start=3246&end=3651","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2706254-4cb7305e6dbf782865b0251ac04ef5cc/thumbnail_3246000.jpg","/articles/6120712/Colorado/JBC-votes-to-eliminate-temporary-employee-authorizations-tied-to-authorized-leave-committees-ask-departments-to-justify-needs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6120712-21b2ca034852cb62d85bde11d4e4009e/orig.mp4?Expires=1773590787&Signature=m6xZBqaGdoxBViMC0pSnR2v2Zx5JFLGIFRL7TUDit~pz2tmhB9MQUyU0bvNs7-puulHGPjh09WCwQ~hKbLczDQ-UhakKGrSIf8LY8feHb4RitU2BE50hWMsEy0QhjU21aMC32IcwX0T1mM5WIzazHbu0b9S7~O5PvZXGaMeGny3MzdDPf1sHKA8HAwAzJ2vTufrFluDZwollf84YKxLYxqufNqXgUxEq839WU-diCJtMcvGlnaK17uUsxyS2uPFTXzf337vpui8w14lOCJz401L5RTaskIcbmKmtzpTo~tgvlTsSnGJi4j6dQuY8ZHJScq0SjKhxbOkJSiIlPDEqxA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Andrew McLear, JBC staff, presented a memo compiling appropriations for temporary employees tied to authorized leave across multiple departments and asked the Joint Budget Committee whether to eliminate those line items to capture savings.

The nut graf: Staff recommended reducing those appropriations to zero and directing departments to justify any continuing need; Director Craig Harper and committee members noted that Corrections and Human Services may present legitimate operational concerns because of 24/7 staffing needs.

McLear said eliminating the line items could yield approximately $3,200,000 in general fund savings and $4.5 million in total fund savings, with the bulk of savings coming from corrections and human services. Director Harper cautioned that Corrections and DHS might have trouble covering 24/7 staffing without those line items and that the committee should accept the risk of after-the-fact comebacks if it adopted the cut.

Representative Patrick Taggart and other members supported the idea as a management decision to require departments to explain why the funds are necessary rather than maintaining the automatic appropriations.

Motion and vote: The vice chair moved to eliminate the temporary-employee line items as set forth in staff totals; there were no objections and the motion passed 6-0.

Ending: Departments flagged as most likely to be affected (Department of Corrections, Department of Human Services) were asked to prepare justifications if they believe the committee's elimination would materially impair operations.

","The Joint Budget Committee voted 6-0 to eliminate line-item appropriations for temporary employees related to authorized leave across departments, with staff estimating roughly $3.2 million in general fund savings and directing departments to come back if they need exceptions.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6120717,"JBC lowers balance caps for Employment Support and UI support funds; motion passes unanimously",327,2340000,2667000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2706254-4cb7305e6dbf782865b0251ac04ef5cc&start=2340&end=2667","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2706254-4cb7305e6dbf782865b0251ac04ef5cc/thumbnail_2340000.jpg","/articles/6120717/Colorado/JBC-lowers-balance-caps-for-Employment-Support-and-UI-support-funds-motion-passes-unanimously","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6120717-2038498178ad76995a3539a0e837efef/orig.mp4?Expires=1773590787&Signature=K5oypZrhwv-kHif-5vkVlK~dogLgCNfwZPTss2KsAkBBV0rQuusaf1GzKd10FnCDt0vWUqMk0SvCMvDbhaxOyZPkNIBAv0socE5dfcCThVQ5UXTXEemzd48p8y68XyG3ZCSY~UerqMytU5CkrL5niEfasDoeMCuYxT7q6XHghIkSlC8H4sfII17Ekjdj7ae1ms7zEQQFeZlTaub3mEMj5aObABty0fttxoBH7YGCfVrjGnwME2A9DYbk4kaMwNoTu-yQXGliA8KxB3Gij6YbLXApmSSbLUQErnmvuMpKFaU6sKcacxOTMN~5x8Jm5Yyib4hB96ukL9gJFHPOybDIXw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Phoebe Kanagaraja, JBC staff analyst, asked the committee to approve technical corrections and balance-cap adjustments related to the Department of Labor and Employment and unemployment insurance (UI) program funds.

Kanagaraja told the committee she recommends lowering the ESF balance cap to $3,500,000 (about 36% of estimated expenditures for that fund) and lowering the UI program support fund cap from $31,000,000 to $25,000,000 (about 50% of estimated expenditures for that fund).

The nut graf: Staff said lowering the caps produces modest near-term effects on general fund relief but can increase general fund relief in later years; the committee voted to adopt the staff recommendation so staff can reflect the change in ongoing fiscal tables.

Kanagaraja explained that further lowering the UI support fund cap would not materially change general-fund relief in the immediate two fiscal years because the UI support fund is an enterprise fund and most diverted revenue would flow to the unemployment insurance trust fund to pay benefits; the fiscal impact in out years would be larger but still modest compared with the fund's size.

Motion and vote: The committee's vice chair moved the staff recommendation regarding balance-cap adjustments; there were no objections and the motion passed 6-0.

Ending: The committee recorded the change for figure-setting and requested staff to reflect the decision in updated fiscal tables.

","The Joint Budget Committee voted 6-0 to adopt staff recommendations to lower the Employment Support Fund (ESF) balance cap to $3.5 million and reduce the UI program support fund cap from $31 million to $25 million; staff said the out-year general fund relief is limited in the near term.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

JBC adds footnotes and requests data on wolf reintroduction funding, continues technical parks adjustments

JBC reviews 'comeback' package: nursing incentives, jail-based competency funding, FAFSA coordinators and multiple program reprioritizations

JBC staff outline severance tax rebalancing package, seek committee guidance

JBC votes to eliminate temporary-employee authorizations tied to authorized leave; committees ask departments to justify needs

JBC lowers balance caps for Employment Support and UI support funds; motion passes unanimously