Key takeaways
- Colorado state government spent $42.6 billion in fiscal 2024, the 25th most of any state.
- Statewide purchasing runs through the State Purchasing & Contracts Office, and vendors register and find bids in Colorado VSS.
- The fiscal year starts July 1, and the governor released the FY2028 budget proposal on Nov. 2, 2026.
- The 2027 legislative session convenes Jan. 11 and is scheduled to adjourn May 10.
- A new governor, Phil Weiser, takes office Jan. 12, 2027.
Colorado government at a glance
| Fact | Colorado |
|---|---|
| State spending, FY 2024 | $42.6 billion (25th of 50) |
| Fiscal year starts | July 1 |
| Next budget | FY2028 · proposal released Nov. 2, 2026 |
| 2027 legislative session | Jan. 11 to May 10 (120 days) |
| Governor-elect | Phil Weiser, takes office Jan. 12, 2027 |
| Central procurement office | State Purchasing & Contracts Office |
| Bid and vendor portal | Colorado VSS |
| State CIO | Sarah Tuneberg, Chief Information Officer and Executive Director |
| Local governments | 3,715 total, including 3,201 special districts and 180 school districts |
| Public power and co-op utilities | 28 public power utilities and 28 electric co-ops |
| State prison population | 17,459 (end of 2023) |
How Colorado buys
- Central purchasing. The State Purchasing & Contracts Office handles statewide contracts and purchasing rules for state agencies.
- Where bids are posted. Colorado VSS is where vendors register and find state solicitations.
- Registering as a vendor. Our Colorado vendor registration guide walks through the steps, fees and documents.
- Agencies and local buyers. Many agencies, universities, cities, counties and school districts buy on their own or through cooperative contracts; see our cooperative purchasing guide.
Purchase thresholds
| Tier | Rule |
|---|---|
| Little or no competition | Up to $50,000 (discretionary) |
| Informal quotes | $50,000 to $350,000: documented quote |
| Formal solicitation | $350,000 and above |
Source: State Purchasing & Contracts Office (effective July 1, 2026). Agency and local thresholds can differ; see our state procurement thresholds guide.
Budget and legislative calendar
- Fiscal year. Colorado's fiscal year starts July 1. The next budget covers FY2028.
- Governor's proposal. Released Nov. 2, 2026: $51.2 billion total, $18.9 billion general fund (up 2.6%), with a projected $1.6 billion shortfall. Updated proposal due Jan. 2, 2027.
- 2027 session. Convenes Jan. 11 and is scheduled to adjourn May 10. See the 2027 legislative session calendar.
- New administration. Governor-elect Phil Weiser takes office Jan. 12, 2027. New administrations often bring new agency leaders and priorities; see new governors in 2027.
Technology and AI
- State CIO. Sarah Tuneberg, Chief Information Officer and Executive Director, leads the Office of Information Technology. See the full state CIO directory.
- AI policy. Our tracker counts no executive orders, 1 law and 2 agency policies on government AI use. See the state AI policy tracker.
- How IT buying works. See how state agencies buy technology.
Largest public buyers in Colorado
The biggest Colorado entities on our national rankings. Each one runs its own budget and, in most cases, its own purchasing.
| Buyer | Type | Size | National rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denver | City | 740,613 residents (2025) | 19 of 100 largest cities |
| Colorado Springs | City | 494,743 residents (2025) | 40 of 100 largest cities |
| Aurora | City | 410,053 residents (2025) | 50 of 100 largest cities |
| El Paso County | County | 757,040 residents (2025) | 89 of 100 largest counties |
| Denver County | County | 740,613 residents (2025) | 94 of 100 largest counties |
| Denver, No. 1 | School district | 88,911 students (fall 2021) | 34 of 100 largest districts |
| Jefferson County, No. R1 | School district | 76,904 students (fall 2021) | 45 of 100 largest districts |
| Douglas County, No. RE1 | School district | 63,596 students (fall 2021) | 60 of 100 largest districts |
| Denver Regional Transportation District | Transit agency | 64,533,900 trips (2023) | 16 of 50 largest |
| Denver International | Airport | 39,976,695 passengers boarded (2025) | 4 of 100 busiest |
| City of Colorado Springs Municipal | Airport | 1,230,941 passengers boarded (2025) | 97 of 100 busiest |
| Denver Water | Water utility | 1,287,000 people served | 17 of 208 largest |
| Aurora Water | Water utility | 487,365 people served | 66 of 208 largest |
| Colorado Springs Utilities | Public power utility | 260,682 electric customers (2024) | 15 of 50 largest |
| Fort Collins Utilities | Public power utility | 79,990 electric customers (2024) | 40 of 50 largest |
| Denver (CO) Police | Police department | 1,464 sworn officers (2016) | 30 of 50 largest |
| El Paso County Sheriff's Office | Sheriff's office | 518 sworn personnel (2016) | 32 of 50 largest |
| Denver Health | Public hospital system | $1.58 billion operating revenue (2025) | — |
Sources: KSG rankings of the largest cities, counties, school districts, public universities, transit agencies, airports, water utilities, public power utilities, police departments and other lists. Figures are from each list's source year.
Local government and utilities
- 3,715 local governments. That includes 3,201 special districts and 180 school districts. See special districts by state.
- Utilities. 28 public power utilities and 28 electric cooperatives serve 1,286,722 customers, 43% of the state. See Colorado utilities.
- Budget cycles. Cities, counties and school districts set their own fiscal years; see city and county budget calendars.
Colorado state holidays in 2027
Besides the 11 federal holidays, Colorado state offices close on these days in 2027:
- Cabrini Day: Monday, Oct. 4
See the full 2027 federal and state holiday calendar.
How KSG helps
Kensington Sales Group's SDRs book meetings with public agencies across Federal, SLED, K-12 & Higher Ed, Healthcare, Tribal, Special Districts and Utilities. We research Colorado buyers, time outreach to state and local budget cycles and get you in front of the people who own the problem you solve. See how our state and local sales development works.
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