SB 17-267: Sustainability of Rural Colorado

The bill repeals the existing hospital provider fee program and creates a new healthcare enterprise (CHASE). Its revenue does not count against the state fiscal year spending limit (Ref. C cap). The bill requires the state to execute lease-purchase agreements, including certificates of participation (COPs), for funding transportation and capital construction projects. The bill also increases the rate of the retail marijuana sales tax to 15% with $30M of this revenue going to rural school districts in 2017-18 and a portion of the marijuana sales tax to be distributed to all school districts in future years.