Governor Jared Polis released his budget request for the 2020-21 fiscal year to the Colorado General Assembly on November 1, 2019. Within this budget request, the Governor asks for a total of $34.5 billion of which he requests $13.8 billion General Fund, an increase of 2.9% or $389 million. Highlighted spending items include:
- K-12 Education Governor Polis’ budget includes a $40 million contribution to the budget stabilization factor to reduce it to 6.4% and a $7 million increase to overall K-12 spending.
- Universal Preschool Governor Polis’ budget includes a $27.6 million contribution to expand the Colorado Preschool Program.
- Energy and Environment Governor Polis’ budget includes money to start electrifying the State vehicle fleet, $10 million to invest in the State Water Plan, and $10 million to expand access to State parks.
- Mental and Behavioral Health Governor Polis’ budget includes $87 million to fund Medicaid coverage for substance use disorder treatment services. The State also received a federal grant for addressing the opioid crisis $15 million of which is allocated for the 2020-21 fiscal year.
- Paid Family and Medical Leave for State Employees Governor Polis’ budget includes money for a 2% pay raise for State employees and an 8-week paid family and medical leave program.
- Opening of Centennial Correctional Facility South (CSP2) Governor Polis’ budget includes $9 million to open CSP2 with the goal of closing the private Cheyenne Mountain Re-entry Center and decreasing Colorado’s reliance on private prisons.
- Reserve Contribution Governor Polis’ budget includes $31 million to be contributed to Colorado’s reserve for future recessions and recommends paying tools used in previous recessions.
- Transportation Governor Polis’ budget includes a $500 million General Fund contribution to transportation, a $25 million transfer from capital reversions, and $25 million contribution from CDOT savings.
- Higher Education Governor Polis’ budget includes a $26 million contribution to higher education, a 2.5% increase. The cap for in-state tuition increase is a 3% average Statewide, meaning all public-school tuition increases must average to be 3%.
- For more the full budget request please follow this link: November 1 2019 FY 2020-21 Budget Request Transmittal .