Capital Development Committee approves $2.5 million transfer for Capitol renovation after split vote

The Capital Development Committee voted 4–2 to ask the state treasurer to transfer up to $2,500,562 from the general fund to the Capital Complex Master Plan Improvement Fund for fiscal year 2024–25 after a divided debate over priorities and statutory interpretation.

The committee first considered a motion to request a $2,498,994 transfer for fiscal year 2025–26, but that measure failed on a 3–3 roll call. Senator Heimerxen moved both requests under "Section 24-75-307 of the Colorado Revised Statutes," and the committee polled members by name before the final 4–2 vote on the FY24–25 transfer. The successful motion passed with yes votes from Henriksen, Lindsay, Elton B., and Judah; Representative Winter and the presiding chair voted no.

The debate centered on how the transfer is authorized and on competing capital needs statewide. Beau Pogue of the legislative council told the committee that "CDC staff misinterpreted the statute thinking that that $2,500,000 transfer was automatic," and clarified that, "On July 1 of each succeeding fiscal year, the state treasurer, upon request of the Capital Development Committee, may make a transfer" — meaning the transfer is discretionary for both the committee and the treasurer.

Seth Ford, legislative liaison for the Department of Personnel and Administration, described the larger effort as "an approximately 10 year project" and said the pace of work depends on the "cadence of the funding." Ford warned that not taking action could leave the committee "out of compliance with statute" and could require supplemental requests or delay project timelines. He also noted that a significant portion of the project's funding comes from ADLE payments that are slow to accrue.

Opposition focused on statewide budget trade-offs. The presiding member said the Capitol complex project has grown to roughly $216 million since it was first presented and questioned prioritizing those renovations when other state facilities — including schools, correctional facilities and human services buildings — have urgent capital needs. Representative Winter stated he "can't in good conscience vote for this" given constituents' concerns about spending and the state's fiscal situation.

Supporters argued for continuity on projects already underway and for preserving the Capitol's role as an accessible seat of government. Representative Lindsey said she was "comfortable voting yes" on the motions while acknowledging broader budgetary concerns. Senator Judah said having members present in the Capitol improves constituent services and accessibility, and he cited that rationale in support of the transfer.

Committee staff and DPA said that the funds not received for fiscal years 2023–24 and 2024–25 were largely unspent because planning and procurement had not advanced to contracting; staff said they can hold the funds until work is ready to proceed. Beau Pogue said CDC staff can request the treasurer to transfer the funds for the current and upcoming fiscal years and indicated staff would provide a status update on expenditures and timeline when available.

The committee also agreed on scheduling: members selected July 1 for the next meeting and chose Sept. 15 for the September meeting. The Capital Development Committee adjourned after completing those items.

The transfer request that passed is a procedural request to the state treasurer and does not itself authorize expenditures beyond the committee's later spending decisions or the treasurer's action.