ColoradoColorado controller calculates conditional adjustments to future state refunds
If a September 2026 revenue certification meets the stated condition, Colorado’s controller must calculate a 2024–25 refund adjustment, and the law sets aside money for the state auditor.
What it does
If the controller certifies in September 2026 that 2025–26 revenues stayed within the constitutional limit, the controller must calculate how much the 2024–25 refund would have differed after the H.R. 1 revenue reduction.
The calculated amount reduces the over-refund amount used in related refund calculations, with no more than half of the calculated amount used in any one fiscal year.
The law sets aside $18,021 from the general fund for the state auditor’s office to carry out the act, based on an estimated need for 0.2 additional full-time-equivalent staff.
Argument forCorrecting the earlier revenue calculation could help align the refund calculation with the H.R. 1 revenue reduction attributed to 2024–25.
Argument againstTaxpayers could receive smaller refunds in later years if the calculated amount reduces the over-refund amount used in refund calculations.
More detail
The controller must calculate the difference between the certified 2024–25 refund and the refund that would have been required after accounting for the H.R. 1 revenue reduction. The calculation concerns Colorado’s required refund for state fiscal year 2024–25 and the revenue reduction attributed to H.R. 1. This calculation applies only if, in September 2026, the controller certifies that 2025–26 state revenues did not exceed the constitutional spending limit. The controller must make the calculation before November 16, 2026.
The calculated amount is used to reduce the over-refund amount in the referenced refund calculations. This applies to the amount for fiscal year 2024–25 used in the referenced calculations of over-refunds of state revenues. The amount used in any fiscal year cannot exceed half the amount calculated by the controller. This amount may be used only for fiscal years beginning on or after July 1, 2026.
The state sets aside $18,021 for the legislative department’s office of the state auditor to carry out the act. The appropriation is for the legislative department’s office of the state auditor. The money comes from the general fund and is based on an estimate that the office needs an additional 0.2 full-time-equivalent position. The appropriation is for state fiscal year 2026–27.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jun 3Governor Jared Polis SignedBecame Law
- Jun 2Signed by the Speaker of the HouseMajor
- Jun 2Signed by the President of the SenateMajor
- Jun 2Sent to the GovernorTo Governor
- May 12House Considered Senate Amendments - Result was to Concur - Repass
- Vote recorded REPASS. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded CONCUR. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded REPASS. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded CONCUR. Result: pass.Lower
- May 11Senate Third Reading Passed - No AmendmentsPassed Senate
- Vote recorded BILL. Result: pass.Upper
- May 8Senate Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee
- May 8Senate Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - No Amendments
- May 8Senate Second Reading Special Order - Passed - No Amendments
- May 6Senate Committee on Appropriations Refer Amended to Senate Committee of the WholeMinor
- Vote recorded Refer House Bill 26-1419, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Adopt amendment L.010. Result: pass.Upper
- May 6Senate Second Reading Special Order - Laid Over Daily - No Amendments
- May 1Introduced In Senate - Assigned to AppropriationsMinor
- Apr 30House Third Reading Passed - No AmendmentsPassed House
- Vote recorded BILL. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 29House Third Reading Laid Over Daily - No Amendments
- Apr 28House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee, Floor
- Vote recorded AMD (H.001). Result: fail.Lower
- Apr 24House Committee on Appropriations Refer Amended to House Committee of the WholeMinor
- Vote recorded Adopt amendment J.001. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Refer House Bill 26-1419, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 21Introduced In House - Assigned to AppropriationsIntroduced
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