Colorado lawmakers may forgo raises next year as they anticipate having to make major changes in the overall state budget — including eliminating raises for all state employees.
The Joint Budget Committee is expected to recommend removing a planned 3% salary increase for all state employees, according to a staff memo — including no raises for judges. By statute, lawmakers’ pay is 25% of county judges’ salaries, said Legislative Council Director Natalie Mullis. So, if the judges don’t get raises, lawmakers don’t expect to, either.
Staff provided the state’s top lawmakers with options for cuts to the legislative budget Wednesday that would reduce spending by $3.47 million if they were all adopted. Options include eliminating raises for legislative staff.
The legislative branch’s budget was approved by the House before the session was suspended, but the Senate hasn’t voted on it yet. It’s a small part of the overall state budget, which is expected to take a substantial hit because of the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
Lawmakers tentatively plan to resume the 50-plus remaining days of the session May 18 after getting an updated forecast May 12. They are also reviewing options for remote work.
