SB 25-256
Fiscal Note
Legislative Council Staff
Nonpartisan Services for Colorado’s Legislature
SB 25-256: FUNDS FOR SUPPORT OF DIGITAL TRUNKED RADIO
Prime Sponsors:
Sen. Kirkmeyer; Amabile
Rep. Bird; Sirota
Published for: Senate Appropriations
Drafting number: LLS 25-1025
Fiscal Analyst:
Josh Abram, 303-866-3561
josh.abram@coleg.gov
Version: Initial Fiscal Note
Date: March 31, 2025
Fiscal note status: This fiscal note reflects the introduced bill, which was recommended by the Joint
Budget Committee as part of the FY 2025-26 Long Bill budget package.
Summary Information
Overview. The bill annually transfers $15 million in severance tax revenue to support the digital trunked
radio system.
Types of impacts. The bill is projected to affect the following areas through FY 2034-35:
State Expenditures State Transfers
Appropriations. No appropriation is required as the Public Safety Communications Trust Fund is
continuously appropriated to the Department of Public Safety.
Table 1
State Fiscal Impacts
Type of Impact
1
Budget Year
FY 2025-26
Out Year
FY 2026-27
State Revenue $0 $0
State Expenditures $0 $0
Transferred Funds $15,000,000 $15,000,000
Change in TABOR Refunds $0 $0
Change in State FTE 0.0 FTE 0.0 FTE
1
Fund sources for these impacts are shown in the tables below. Page 2
March 31, 2025 SB 25-256
Table 1A
State Transfers
Fund Source
Budget Year
FY 2025-26
Out Year
FY 2026-27
Local Government Severance Tax Cash Fund -$15,000,000 -$15,000,000
Public Safety Communications Trust Fund $15,000,000 $15,000,000
Net Transfer $0 $0
Summary of Legislation
Beginning FY 2025-26, and continuing annually through FY 2034-35, the bill transfers
$15 million from the Local Government Severance Tax Cash Fund to the Public Safety
Communications Trust Fund in the Department of Public Safety (DPS). The DPS may only use
money in the trust fund to support the digital trunked radio system, including site supporting
infrastructure, and supporting software and hardware.
Background
The Office of Public Safety Communications in DPS includes the Digital Trunked Radio System.
This system is a statewide wireless system that enables direct communications to the more than
1,000 state, local, federal, and tribal public safety agencies and emergency responders across the
state. The digital trunked radio system vendor contract for $15 million includes $12 million for
services and $3 million for program hardware, equipment upgrades, and maintenance.
State Transfers
For FY 2025-26, and each fiscal year through FY 2034-35, the bill transfers $15 million from the
Local Government Severance Tax Cash Fund to the Public Safety Communications Trust Cash
Fund.
State Expenditures
The bill refinances the digital trunked radio system in the DPS by using severance tax dollars
received by the Department of Local Affairs. The Department of Local Affairs uses 70 percent of
the Local Government Severance Tax Cash Fund for the Energy/Mineral Impact Assistance Fund
Grant Program, which makes grants for local government infrastructure, land use planning, and
similar projects. The bill reduces funding available for making grants through this program. Page 3
March 31, 2025 SB 25-256
Effective Date
The bill takes effect upon signature of the Governor, or upon becoming law without his
signature.
State Appropriations
No appropriation is required. Funds in the Public Safety Communications Trust Cash Fund are
continuously appropriated to the Department of Public Safety.
State and Local Government Contacts
Joint Budget Committee Staff
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.