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May 23, 2024 SB 24-003
Legislative Council Staff
Nonpartisan Services for Colorado’s Legislature
Final Fiscal Note
Drafting Number:
Prime Sponsors:
LLS 24-0780
Sen. Sullivan
Rep. Froelich; Duran
Date:
Bill Status:
Fiscal Analyst:
May 23, 2024
Signed into Law
Clayton Mayfield | 303-866-5851
clayton.mayfield@coleg.gov
Bill Topic: CBI AUTHORITY TO INVESTIGATE FIREARMS CRIMES
Summary of
Fiscal Impact:
☐ State Revenue
☒ State Expenditure
☐ State Transfer
☐ TABOR Refund
☒ Local Government
☐ Statutory Public Entity
The bill authorizes the Colorado Bureau of Investigation to investigate illegal firearm
activity statewide and makes an appropriation for these investigations. Starting in
FY 2024-25, the bill increases state expenditures on an ongoing basis.
Appropriation
Summary:
For FY 2024-25, the bill requires and includes an appropriation of $1.5 million to the
Department of Public Safety.
Fiscal Note
Status:
The final fiscal note reflects the enacted bill.
Table 1
State Fiscal Impacts Under SB 24-003
Budget Year
FY 2024-25
Out Year
FY 2025-26
Revenue - -
Expenditures General Fund $1,477,127 $1,407,441
Centrally Appropriated $213,131 $231,522
Total Expenditures $1,690,258 $1,638,963
Total FTE 10.1 FTE 11.0 FTE
Transfers - -
Other Budget Impacts General Fund Reserve $221,569 $211,116
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May 23, 2024 SB 24-003
Summary of Legislation
The bill authorizes the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) within the Department of Public
Safety (CDPS) to investigate criminal activity involving firearms on a statewide basis. CBI must
communicate with the appropriate local law enforcement agency and collaborate with the local
district attorney in the jurisdiction where it is conducting an investigation. Nothing in the bill
authorizes CBI to investigate other criminal activity encountered during a firearms-related
investigation without consent from, or in collaboration with, the local law enforcement agency.
State Expenditures
The bill increases expenditures in the CDPS by $1.7 million in FY 2024-25, and by $1.6 million in
FY 2025-26 and beyond, paid from the General Fund. The bill may increase workload and costs
for other state agencies involved in the criminal justice system. Expenditures are shown in
Table 2 and detailed below.
Table 2
Expenditures Under SB 24-003
FY 2024-25 FY 2025-26
Department of Public Safety
Personal Services $1,079,356 $1,172,724
Operating Expenses $59,635 $60,850
Capital Outlay $168,716 -
Travel Expenses $122,717 $122,717
Leased Space $46,703 $51,150
Centrally Appropriated Costs $213,131 $231,522
Total Cost $1,690,258 $1,638,963
Total FTE 10.1 FTE 11.0 FTE
1
Centrally appropriated costs are not included in the bill's appropriation.
Personal services. The CBI will hire 11.0 FTE to investigate criminal firearm activity statewide.
This includes seven CBI field agents, and additional forensic and administrative support staff.
Salary amounts are above the midpoint range to recruit and retain qualified persons for these
positions. FY 2024-25 amounts are prorated for an August 1, 2024, start date.
Operating expenses Operating expenses starting in FY 2024-25 are required for FTE, including
desk phones, software, and office supplies. Field agents also require funding for annual training
at $5,000 per agent. Additionally, annual forensic services training and accreditation is required
for 2.0 FTE at $5,500 each.
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May 23, 2024 SB 24-003
Capital outlay. One-time funding in FY 2024-25 only is required for computers and office
furniture for 4.0 FTE, and to equip 7.0 FTE as CBI field agents. Agent packages include radios,
safety equipment, firearms, computers, and vehicle equipment. Each package costs about
$20,000.
Travel expenses. Field agents also require travel expenses, including out-of-state conference
travel at $5,000 per agent, annual vehicle leases at $7,991 per agent, and fleet vehicle mileage
costs estimated at $4,540 per vehicle.
Leased space. Ongoing funding starting in FY 2024-25 is required for leased space costs for
each FTE estimated at $4,650 per FTE.
Other state agencies. To the extent additional agents increase criminal firearm cases filed,
workload and costs to state criminal justice agencies, such as the Judicial Department, the
Department of Law, independent judicial agencies that represent indigent offenders, and the
Department of Corrections will increase. This increase is expected to be minimal and no change
in appropriations is required.
Centrally appropriated costs. Pursuant to a Joint Budget Committee policy, certain costs
associated with this bill are addressed through the annual budget process and centrally
appropriated in the Long Bill or supplemental appropriations bills, rather than in this bill. These
costs, which include employee insurance and supplemental employee retirement payments, are
shown in Table 2.
Other Budget Impacts
General Fund reserve. Under current law, an amount equal to 15 percent of General Fund
appropriations must be set aside in the General Fund statutory reserve. Based on this fiscal note,
the bill is expected to increase the amount of General Fund held in reserve by the amounts
shown in Table 1, decreasing the amount of General Fund available for other purposes.
Local Government
Similar to the state, to the extent the CBI generates additional criminal cases that are assisted by
local law enforcement, prosecuted by district attorneys, and sentenced to county jails, costs will
increase for these local agencies.
Effective Date
The bill was signed into law by the Governor on May 15, 2024, and takes effect on August 7, 2024,
assuming no referendum petition is filed.
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May 23, 2024 SB 24-003
State Appropriations
For FY 2024-25, the bill requires and includes a General Fund appropriation of $1,477,127, and
10.1 FTE to the Department of Public Safety.
State and Local Government Contacts
Judicial Law Public Safety
The revenue and expenditure impacts in this fiscal note represent changes from current law under the bill for each
fiscal year. For additional information about fiscal notes, please visit the General Assembly website.