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JBC approves Energy Office comeback with transfers to general fund; two members object
Summary
The committee voted 4‑2 to accept the Colorado Energy Office comeback that would shift some cash funds to general fund and authorize one‑time transfers totaling $1.5 million, moving the item to draft legislation. Rep. Taggart and Sen. Kirkmeyer voted no.
The Joint Budget Committee voted 4‑2 to accept a departmental comeback from the Colorado Energy Office that would reallocate cash‑funded programs, reduce a specific cannabis program appropriation, and include three one‑time transfers totaling $1.5 million into the general fund.
The comeback would end a small crop program within the energy office (a $500,000 reduction) and increase ongoing appropriation for other Energy Office functions by $655,000; the net near‑term impact to general fund depends on transfers the agency proposed. The committee agreed that transfers will require separate legislation; budget staff and committee members said that the transfers would be developed and brought back to the committee as a post‑long‑bill package.
Committee members who opposed the comeback said they disliked how the administration shifted the request into a comeback instead of presenting it earlier in figure setting. Supporters said the office had reduced its ask and identified pay‑fors that would achieve a net near‑term general fund reduction for the budget cycle.
The motion to approve the comeback included authorization for staff to assume the transfers in long‑bill balancing and to draft implementing legislation. The motion passed 4‑2, with Representatives Taggart and Senator Kirkmeyer recorded as the two no votes. Committee staff will draft the necessary transfer bill language for the three one‑time transfers and return it for consideration during the post‑long‑bill package.
