![Bill Spotlight: HB22-1029 Compensatory Direct Distribution to Public Employees’ Retirement Association](https://commonsenseinstituteco.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/140510140_m-1080x675.jpg)
![Bill Spotlight: HB22-1029 Compensatory Direct Distribution to Public Employees’ Retirement Association](https://commonsenseinstituteco.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/140510140_m-1080x675.jpg)
![Colorado Jobs and Labor Force Update: March 2022](https://commonsenseinstituteco.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/86871005_m-1080x675.jpg)
Colorado Jobs and Labor Force Update: March 2022
Colorado’s robust economy has added 391,300 jobs since April 2020, eclipsing the 374,500 jobs the state lost in March and April 2020. This represents a recovery rate of 104.5 percent which is 11.6 percentage points higher than the nationwide recovery rate of 92.9.![Inflation in Colorado – March 2022 Update](https://commonsenseinstituteco.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/142015181_m-1080x675.jpg)
Inflation in Colorado – March 2022 Update
Inflation in the Denver metropolitan area continues to run hot, particularly for housing. Overall price levels increased 2% between January and March and 9.1% over the last 12 months. The BLS reports housing inflation of 7.9%, but home prices (not a component of CPI) have increased 20.8% YoY through January 2021.![Fentanyl’s Increasing Toll on the Colorado Economy](https://commonsenseinstituteco.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/133164241_m-1080x675.jpg)
Fentanyl’s Increasing Toll on the Colorado Economy
Although the Opioid Crisis has been an ongoing public health issue since the late 1990’s, Colorado’s policymakers, law enforcement, district attorneys, addiction rehab advocates, and researchers have recently narrowed their focus on Schedule II Controlled Substances and more specifically, fentanyl.![CSI Budget Watch: The FY23 Budget Is Near Final, but Major Priorities Are Not Fully Addressed](https://commonsenseinstituteco.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/34637490_m-1080x675.jpg)
CSI Budget Watch: The FY23 Budget Is Near Final, but Major Priorities Are Not Fully Addressed
As the Colorado General Assembly nears completion of the state budget there is little doubt that the decisions they make will impact Colorado’s economy for years to come. Known by insiders as the “long bill,” the state budget has passed the State House and is currently being debated by the State Senate.![Colorado Housing Affordability Trends](https://commonsenseinstituteco.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/156856470_m-1080x675.jpg)
Colorado Housing Affordability Trends
Colorado is an increasingly expensive place to live. Housing prices are surging, and affordability is decreasing. Though there has been a recent increase in building permits, the current housing supply shortage is so large that the increased construction of new homes must be sustained for years, if not increased, to overcome the shortage.