Colorado’s budget increased cumulatively less than the maximum rate of population growth plus inflation in state funds and all funds from 2016-25, meaning taxes have been kept below what the average taxpayer can afford.

  • The 2025 state funds budget is $4.6 billion less than it would have been had spending grown at the rate of population growth plus inflation over the past decade.
  • Because the state funds budget grew slower than population growth plus inflation for the last ten years, the state spent $49.8 billion less than possible.
  • The 2025 all funds budget is $4.6 billion less than it would have been had spending grown at the rate of population growth plus inflation over the past decade.
  • Because the all funds budget grew slower than population growth plus inflation over the past decade, the state spent $50.8 billion less than possible.

State Funds Budget Data

  • Estimated FY 2026 Only State Funds Budget ($ Billions): $ 34.33
  • FY 2027 Only State Funds Budget Limit ($ Billions): $ 35.66
  • FY 2027 Only State Funds Budget Limit Growth (%): 3.88%
  • Cost per person of only state funds budgeting more than pop+inf over the last decade in 2025 budget: $ 10,470
  • Cost per family of 4 of only state funds budgeting more than pop+inf over the last decade in 2025 budget: $ (769)
  • Cumulative cost per person of only state funds budgeting more than pop+inf over the last decade from 2016-25: $ (8,275)
  • Cumulative cost per family of 4 of only state funds budgeting more than pop+inf over the last decade from 2016-25: $ (33,102)

All Funds Budget Data

  • Estimated FY 2026 All Funds Budget ($ Billions): $ 48.04
  • FY 2027 All Funds Budget Limit ($ Billions): $ 49.90
  • FY 2027 All Funds Budget Limit Growth (%): 3.9%
  • Cost per person of all funds budgeting more than pop+inf over the last decade in 2025 budget: $ 14,119
  • Cost per family of 4 of all funds budgeting more than pop+inf over the last decade in 2025 budget: $ (757)
  • Cumulative cost per person of all funds budgeting more than pop+inf over the last decade from 2016-25: $ (8,453)
  • Cumulative cost per family of 4 of all funds budgeting more than pop+inf over the last decade from 2016-25: $ (33,811)

Other Economic and Fiscal Considerations