JBC approves final packet of RFIs; committee requests follow‑ups on early childhood, wolves, and 911 fund use

The Joint Budget Committee accepted a consolidated packet of request‑for‑information (RFI) items tied to the fiscal‑year long bill and asked staff to add and amend several RFIs and memos before transmittal to agencies.

Tom Dermody, JBC staff, said the packet consolidates approved RFIs and highlighted new or revised items identified on the cover page. Committee members asked for specific changes and additional reporting requirements: Representative Taggart and others pressed for clearer early‑intervention detail in a Department of Early Childhood RFI and for additional reporting touchpoints; staff agreed to add more frequent reporting (June forecast presentation, a September and a December update) to track progress and cost‑containment measures.

Members also asked that the RFI package include reporting on wolf‑related costs, including direct and indirect depredation costs, and to add related implementation updates. Kelly Shen (JBC staff) confirmed a footnote and RFI language on depredation costs would be inserted. The committee additionally requested a legal memo from committee attorneys on allowable uses of 911 fee revenue after members questioned whether those fees could be applied to digital radio upgrades for public safety dispatch and response.

After discussing minor pagination corrections and other edits, the committee approved the consolidated RFIs and the separate Colorado Department of Education memo on the Colorado Empowered Learning Program; the motion to accept the RFIs as amended passed 6‑0.