Self-Sufficiency Standard shows dramatic differences in family budgets

One of the weaknesses of the federal government's official poverty thresholds is that they account only for the number of people in a family, not where the family lives or the ages of family members. The Self-Sufficiency Standard for Colorado 2011 shows how much income is required for a family to pay basic expenses and accounts for factors the federal poverty level leaves out. Here's a breakdown of basic expenses for three family types in Prowers County.

Learn more by checking out the Self-Sufficiency Standard for Colorado 2011, a measurement of the true cost of making ends meet for Colorado families.

Skills camp gives job-seeking refugees a leg up

Research the Colorado Center on Law and Policy issued in June argues services for Colorado's refugee families should account for their unique barriers to economic security. Read The Denver Post's coverage, plus find links to all the day's public-policy news, at the weekday Colorado news roundup.

Positioning Colorado for a better economic future

Read The Denver Post's editorial, plus find links to all the day's public-policy news, at the weekday Colorado news roundup.

Colorado sees largest monthly job gain in 4 years

The Colorado Fiscal Policy Institute analyzes the latest jobs numbers in Colorado Recovery Watch, released yesterday. Find coverage in The Denver Post and other outlets, plus links to all the day's public-policy news, at the weekday Colorado news roundup.

The income needed to make ends meet varies widely across Colorado

The 2011 Colorado Self-Sufficiency Standard for a single adult with one preschooler ranges from $24,033 to $59,408 annually depending on the county. The map below shows a noticable disparity between higher cost suburban and resort areas and lower cost non-mountainous rural counties in Colorado.

Learn more by checking out the Self-Sufficiency Standard for Colorado 2011, a measurement of the true cost of making ends meet for Colorado families.

Colorado to feel the pain of funding cuts after debt panel fails

As if our state hasn't felt enough pain already. Read The Denver Post's coverage, plus find links to all the day's public-policy news, at the weekday Colorado news roundup.

For children's sake, don't just slash Medicaid

Read the opinion column in The Denver Post, and find links to all the day's public-policy news, at the weekday Colorado news roundup.

Coloradans in Congress drift apart on balanced-budget amendment

The Colorado Center on Law and Policy opposes a balanced-budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution and urges allies to join in asking Colorado's delegation in Congress for a "no" vote. Read the latest news coverage on today's vote, plus find links to the rest of the day's public-policy news, at the weekday Colorado news roundup.

Attorney general sued over HCA/HealthOne hospital deal

Find CCLP's coverage of hospital conversions on our website. Read the latest coverage, and find links to all the day's public-policy news, at the weekday Colorado news roundup.

Number of uninsured Coloradans up 22 percent in 2 years

Read coverage in The Denver Post and other outlets, plus find links to all the day's public-policy news, at the weekday Colorado news roundup.

U.S. Supreme Court agrees to hear challenge to health reform

Colorado Center on Law and Policy Health Care Attorney Adela Flores-Brennan issued the following statement today on the U.S. Supreme Court's agreement to hear a challenge to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act:

"The U.S. Supreme Court's decision today was long expected. The Supreme Court took up the major issues raised in the lower court cases. We look forward to the court's final decision, which will allow Colorado to move forward without impediment to implementing this law that benefits so many Coloradans. We're confident the court will uphold the law's constitutionality. Implementing the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will decrease the number of uninsured Coloradans, provide greater protections for consumers and help contain costs.  Already, the law has provided important improvements for Coloradans like ensuring children cannot be denied coverage, providing additional access to coverage for people with pre-existing conditions and helping Colorado businesses provide coverage for early retirees. A positive ruling from the Supreme Court will move Colorado and the nation one step closer to achieving near universal coverage."

Online sales tax could be a boon, Post editorial board says

Read about it, plus find links to all the day's public-policy news, at the weekday Colorado news roundup.

Legislative budgeters to higher ed: Let's talk turkey

A preview of tough decisions to come during the 2012 legislative session. Read coverage from Colorado News Agency, and find links to all the day's public-policy news, at the weekday Colorado news roundup.

Budget cuts make reform difficult, school officials tell governor

No kidding. Read about it, and find links to all the day's public-policy news, at the weekday Colorado news roundup.

Meetings across the state give residents a voice on health exchanges

Meetings across the state to discuss Colorado's health insurance exchange are part of a collaborative effort among the Colorado Center on Law and Policy, the CoPIRG Foundation and the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative. Read about it in The Durango Herald, plus find links to all the day's public-policy news, at the weekday Colorado news roundup.

Companies said they were owed $75M in tax credits, but created only 564 jobs

Find links to The Denver Post's coverage, plus links to the rest of the day's public-policy news, at the weekday Colorado news roundup.

Columnist notes facts about refusing to understand the value of taxes

Sharp words, but we think appropriate, from the editor of the Aurora Sentinel. Read the column, and find links to all the day's public-policy news, at the weekday Colorado news roundup.

Leading the way on Colorado budget fixes

The Denver Post editorial board knows Proposition 103 wasn't the end of the discussion on Colorado's fiscal policy. Read the Post's opinion, and find links to all the day's public-policy news, at the weekday Colorado news roundup.

CCLP seeks an office assistant

The Colorado Center on Law and Policy seeks a part-time office assistant to work with its Family Economic Security Program. Details and application instructions are on the job announcement.

Tax hikes for education in Colorado lose big

Of course we're disappointed. But we agree with state Sen. Rollie Heath, the main backer of Proposition 103, that Colorado needs to keep working on a way to adequately fund education and other public services. The Colorado Center on Law and Policy will be a part of that conversation. Read all the news coverage, plus find links to the rest of the day's public-policy news, at the weekday Colorado news roundup.

Millionaire Denver Republican Terry Barr: Raise my taxes

Don't be too surprised. Plenty of wealthy people understand what a fair tax system looks like. Read about it, plus find links to all the day's public-policy news, at the weekday Colorado news roundup.