Population Component of TABOR Limit Growth Factor

This memo presents recent Legislative Council Staff (LCS) findings regarding the implications of the current-law calculation method for population growth used to determine the TABOR growth limit, which has the effect of not adjusting the TABOR limit for population growth or decline that the Census Bureau identifies in its revised estimates. The current population growth calculation method does not usually impact the TABOR limit. However, in some cases, including for the FY 2025-26 TABOR limit, the choice of calculation method may have substantial budgetary consequences, as discussed below.