Joint Budget Committee Finalizes Bipartisan Colorado State Budget, Delivering for Colorado and Securing $300 Million for Transportation Funding

April 11, 2019

Denver, CO – The Joint Budget Committee today voted to finalize the bipartisan FY19-20 Colorado State Budget, securing more than $300 million for transportation funding, which begins on July 1, 2019. The budget now heads to both the Senate and House for approval of the Conference Committee report. Once approved, it will head to Governor Jared Polis for his signature.

The JBC wrote this bipartisan budget based on the economic forecast presented by the Colorado Legislative Council, a nonpartisan research group within the General Assembly, that predicted moderate growth through 2020. Given the economic outlook, Democrats developed a fiscally responsible budget that delivered on promises like making healthcare more affordable, investing in education and transportation, and strengthening economic security for Coloradans across the state.

“We began this session with an ambitious agenda to tackle issues like healthcare, education, and economic security, and I am confident that this budget delivers on those priorities,” said JBC Chair Senator Dominick Moreno, D-Commerce City. “By making these necessary investments, we will be able to help hardworking Coloradans across this state without sacrificing our state’s long-term fiscal standing.”  

“Coloradans can be proud of the responsible, bipartisan budget that we are putting forth,” said Rep. Esgar, D-Pueblo, vice-chair of the JBC. “This budget keeps southern Colorado and our entire state on the right track. That’s why we are making significant investments in education, transportation, mental health and behavioral health and other priorities.”

“The decisions made today reflect input and compromise from both chambers of the legislature and members of the public,” said JBC Member Senator Rachel Zenzinger, D-Arvada. “After months of deliberation and hard work, this bipartisan budget works within our means to deliver on issues that matter to Coloradans in every community.”

“This is a carefully crafted budget,” said JBC Member Rep. Hansen, D-Denver. “While the White House drives economically harmful trade wars, my colleagues and I put forward a budget that ensures kids and parents have access to full-day kindergarten and makes historic investments in education and transportation.”

In addition to hundreds of millions of dollars for transportation, the FY19-20 budget makes investments to help lower the cost of healthcare, improve K-12 education and make higher education more affordable, and help Coloradans achieve economic security by:

• Holding tuition flat at state institutions of higher education
• Providing $175 million to implement full-day kindergarten
• Freeing up preschool slots for Colorado’s youngest learners
• Allocating an additional $77 million to buy-down the budget stabilization factor

For more information about the bipartisan FY19-20 Colorado State Budget, please visit: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb19-207.

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