Concerning eliminating a transfer from the limited gaming fund to the innovative higher education research fund.
Summary
HB26-1368 eliminates a recurring statutory transfer of $2.1 million each year from the state’s limited gaming fund to the innovative higher education research fund. Under current law, the state treasurer must make that transfer annually; the bill repeals the provision requiring it, so the fund would no longer receive that dedicated gaming-revenue allocation beginning July 1, 2026.
The bill makes a narrow change to Colorado’s fiscal statutes. It amends the section governing the innovative higher education research fund to remove the language that allows the fund to receive money transferred from the limited gaming fund, and it separately repeals the limited gaming fund provision that directs the $2.1 million annual transfer. The practical effect is to reduce one earmarked expenditure from gaming revenues and leave the research fund with only the remaining sources of money already authorized by law.
Impact
This bill changes Colorado Revised Statutes sections 23-19.7-104 and 44-30-701 by deleting the statutory mechanism that sends $2.1 million annually from the limited gaming fund to the innovative higher education research fund. As a result, the state treasurer will no longer be required to make that transfer, and the innovative higher education research fund will lose a dedicated annual revenue stream tied to gaming proceeds. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and affects state budgeting and the distribution of limited gaming revenues rather than creating a new program or tax.
Sentiment
The available record suggests the bill was noncontroversial and primarily budgetary in nature. It advanced through the appropriations process and was ultimately signed by the governor, which indicates broad institutional support or at least no significant recorded opposition in the available materials. No committee transcript or vote details were provided, so the sentiment can only be characterized as generally favorable or neutral, with the bill treated as a technical fiscal adjustment.
Contention
The main substantive issue is the loss of a dedicated $2.1 million annual transfer to the innovative higher education research fund. Supporters likely view the bill as a cleanup or reallocation of limited gaming revenues, while any concern would come from higher education or research stakeholders that rely on the earmarked funding. Because there are no recorded committee transcripts or votes in the provided material, no specific objections, amendments, or named opponents are identifiable from the available record.