The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted how public services play an essential role in the economy, our communities, and the well-being of our families.

Public services like education, mental health care, and infrastructure give many Coloradans the support and economic stability needed to live healthy, productive lives.

But for decades, even as Colorado has experienced economic vitality, the state has disinvested in public services and the people who provide them. This has prevented the building of a modern, more responsive public sector.

As a result, Colorado was particularly unprepared to respond to the challenges posed by the Covid crisis.

This report—produced with the Colorado Fiscal Institute—examines these trends in public disinvestment, discusses the impacts, and provides recommendations for ensuring robust public services that meet the needs of Coloradans.

Photo by Chuckcars.