Hickenlooper Signs Bill Increasing Budget Reserves
DENVER (AP) - Colorado's rainy day fund will grow again with a bill signed into law by Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper.
The legislation increases the state's general fund reserves from 5 percent to 6.5 percent to $576.4 million. During the recession, the reserves dipped to about 2 percent.
Hicknelooper said Monday before he signed the bill that increasing Colorado's rainy day fund "creates a safety net for the state" for emergencies or the next economic downturn.
The total general fund, which is made up of tax revenue, will be about $8.7 billion next fiscal year, which begins July 1. The state's total budget for next year is about $23 billion. That figure includes federal and state funds.
Lawmakers last week approved the budget for the 2014-15 fiscal year. Hickenlooper has yet to sign it.
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